Last night, my cat broke into my cham's cage and carried him all the way down stairs and was playing with him on the floor like a toy! I got my Cham up and put him under his lamp, misted him a little and he opened his eyes and started to move. Right now, he is moving, but just dragging his back two legs which are still curled up. His tail moves, but could this be paralysis? Or does he need time to feel better? I don't really have the option of taking him to an exotic vet. Please help!
Veiled Cham paralyzed??
- Thread starter Gentryy07
- Start date
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
If you handle his legs can he react and move them? It's possible his tail is not injured but a vertebra or one or both legs are broken. Has the skin color of the rear part of his body changed? How long has be been like this? If for more than a few hours he may be seriously injured and you WILL need a vet if only to end his suffering.
Flapenn
New Member
x2 he really needs a vet
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
well they may want to put him to sleep as I am sure if his legs are broke or he is injured he is in pain. It might be the most humane thing for you to do. You owe it to your chameleon as a responsible owner to get him to a vet.
Why do you love to come in and kick people while they're down? That's a great way to make people stop listening to other people's good advice (not yours).
To the OP: you need to take him to a vet ASAP. Regardless of whether or not he will regain function of his legs (doesn't sound good honestly) he needs to be on antibiotics immediately. Cats have a particular bacteria in their mouth that causes a very bad infection when they bite things, including people! A cat bite can kill a healthy bird on less than 24 hours from the bacteria alone without damage from the bite itself. He needs antibiotics. And he may need to be humanely euthanized if he is that injured.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Where do you live? We might be able to help you find a Cham vet within driving distance. You can check this thread where some of our members have posted info about their vets.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/
@djfishygillz, I'm 20 years old. I had my chameleon Pascal in an old hermit crab cage (with a top) to feed him, since the crickets can come out of his cage through the screen. My cat loves to watch the crickets in there jumping around and he has never shown attention to Pascal, so I let him watch while I supervise also. Anyways, Pascal was upstairs eating with my cat watching and I went downstairs to answer the phone. When I was going back upstairs, I walk through the kitchen and notice my cat pawing at something, I come closer and it was Pascal. I don't think it's neglectful of me to had gone downstairs for 10 minutes, but do I blame myself? Of course! Because maybe if I hadn't gone downstairs to answer a phone call, Pascal would be completely healthy right now. It was a mistake that anyone could've made.
To everyone else, thank you for the help. Maybe I'll take him to my local vet and they can do everything they know. I'll probably have to have him put down, but it's hard to let go, my dog just died of liver cancer..
tough time!
To everyone else, thank you for the help. Maybe I'll take him to my local vet and they can do everything they know. I'll probably have to have him put down, but it's hard to let go, my dog just died of liver cancer..
tough time!
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Accidents happen and we all make mistakes. None of us want your chameleon to suffer if he is injured. If it were me, and I had to make the choice I would get him to a vet even if it meant they would have to put him down. I would be better off knowing he was not in pain.
thephotoprincess
Avid Member
To the OP - sorry about your chameleon. If you can get to a vet that is good. The fact that he is eating is good. Do your best to keep him comfortable and make sure you offer food and water.
How does a cat get into a cage? They jump on it and crash through the top. Or scratch at it. Or knock it over ... I know this because we used to have cats. They use the same methods to get into and knock over dubia and cricket bins ...
We felt chameleons and cats were not a good mix so the cats were found a new (and better for them) home.
And it really doesn't matter how it happened. The OP is asking for help with what is and being accused of negligence won't help him or the chameleon.
How does a cat get into a cage? They jump on it and crash through the top. Or scratch at it. Or knock it over ... I know this because we used to have cats. They use the same methods to get into and knock over dubia and cricket bins ...
We felt chameleons and cats were not a good mix so the cats were found a new (and better for them) home.
And it really doesn't matter how it happened. The OP is asking for help with what is and being accused of negligence won't help him or the chameleon.
Cheyenneohhh
New Member
I understand how costly a vet can be. Maybe euthanasia is an option. Or maybe there is a reptile rescue near you? We have one by us and usually they will take them at no cost.
HolyToledo
New Member
Sorry about your cham being hurt and that you have to defend yourself about it. Let's just say that it happened and whatever caused it has been learned from...
About Pascal: Eating and drinking can be a good sign. So is having some use/movement of his tail. Any vet can take x-rays and determine what is broken. Unless you euthanize it, you will need that basic info from an x-ray no matter what. If anything is broken, you should get Pascal something for pain at least and decide from there.
Broken legs are survivable for these critters. Broken back? I don't know the answer to that one yet--ask me in a week or two. Mine is doing well with a broken back so far...
So vet for x-rays and pain meds would be the best suggestion or euthanize. But don't make the little one suffer needlessly. Hoping for the best for you, it is tough to go through...
About Pascal: Eating and drinking can be a good sign. So is having some use/movement of his tail. Any vet can take x-rays and determine what is broken. Unless you euthanize it, you will need that basic info from an x-ray no matter what. If anything is broken, you should get Pascal something for pain at least and decide from there.
Broken legs are survivable for these critters. Broken back? I don't know the answer to that one yet--ask me in a week or two. Mine is doing well with a broken back so far...
So vet for x-rays and pain meds would be the best suggestion or euthanize. But don't make the little one suffer needlessly. Hoping for the best for you, it is tough to go through...
Yes, I've put crickets and meal worms in there for him. He has eaten a couple, but not much. As for water, I mist him and around him every hour, but whenever I put his drip next to him, he moves away, and I don't want him to hurt himself worse, so I took it away.
I live in between Mansfield and Midlothian TX. I don't know of a reptile rescue, or of a good vet for that matter. All I know about them is I took my 8 year old dog there before he died and they wanted $600 for euthanasia.. And a college student doesn't have that kind of money!
Dr Roger E. Kendrick of Country Club Pet Hospital is in Mansfield and he is a recognized reptile vet. That would be a good place to call!
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