Urgant, chameleon ate a spider?

[dereckperkins]

I just woke up to my Jackson chameleon on the roof of her cage jerking around like she was having spa zams. She was trying to push something out of her mouth like she had eaten something. I took her out immediately out of instinct. She had some guts and what looks to be a spider leg on the side of her mouth. She is unable to breath out of her nose and has been opening her mouth to gasp for air. She was already sick and not eating before this happened, nor does she ever chase after food. I've had her almost 2 years and shes never chased for food, and only eats what's right in front of her or in her feeding bowl I use.

She stopped spazzing when I picked her up, but keeps her mouth open like its the only way to breath. She is in my room where spiders are everywhere, as it's in the basement.

Do you think a spider attacked her, so she ran and then tried eating it to kill it?

 

[dereckperkins]

Her mouth is also swelled up...

 

[Scout]

Aw man, sorry to hear about that. First and foremost what spiders do you see in your room normally? Do you think it was venomous or poisonous?

 

[dereckperkins]

Wolf spiders, long legs, solpugid, and I've even seen some brown recluses in here.
I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of any.
I live in Georgia.

 

[junglefries]

From past experiences (my observations and opinions, keep in mind) jax don't really like spiders. Some went crazy to eat one, while others seemed petrified or downright afraid. I have lost a panther to a spider bite before, but I think yours may have an RI or other heath issue. Sometimes, especially, in jax, insect legs stick inbetween their lips and jaw. Some can even become infected. As yours was not eating, I tend to believe either a leg dislodged or other mishap. Check her gums for any yellow 'paste' or similar substance. Pictures are blurry so it is hard to say. Hopefully, she had a stuck leg and will begin to eat again now that is freed.

 

[dereckperkins]

She's been sick for about a week now and wouldn't eaten at all. I even tried force feeding her, but she wouldn't open her mouth to eat. I know she ate it when I found her, as I seen her trying to push it out of her mouth like it was hurting her. The leg on the side of her mouth wasn't there before, I've been holding her daily since she feel ill.
There isn't a yellow paste.

 

[dereckperkins]

The inside of her mouth is swelled up, and she is infatuated and doesn't seem able to breath out her nose.

 

[carol5208]

Her eyes are very sunken in. That is not a good sign. You said she has been sick for a week. What are her symptoms? Has she been seen by a vet?

 

[dereckperkins]

I have another forum about it, and she was doing so much better until today.

 

[junglefries]

The spider may have been too good to pass up if she hadn't eaten in that long. Certain insects can make chams react even when they turn down other prey. Mine will always eat flies, moths, superworms, silkworms, mantids, etc... She probably just couldn't refuse the opportunity.

 

[dereckperkins]

She ended up passing away....

Thank y'all for your help.

 

[junglefries]

She ended up passing away....

Thank y'all for your help.

Sorry about that. I know what a spider bite loss is like. Still hurts two years later. Don't beat yourself about it.

 

[Carlton]

Aw man, sorry to hear about that. First and foremost what spiders do you see in your room normally? Do you think it was venomous or poisonous?

AFAIK, all true spiders are considered venomous, but the potency and amount of venom each species carries varies. The least venomous would still immobilize a prey insect. The most could kill a large mammal.