Veiled Chameleon with RI?

[CarlosVenator]

Hello everyone, I've bought a juvenile veiled chameleon a few days ago. Right now he's in a temporary enclosure, but he has a ceramic heat lamp, UV light, a drip system, and I mist it regularly with tepid water. It's a glass enclosure with a screen on the front side.

Since I've brought it home, he hasn't been a good eater. The shop said it ate every other day several crickets, as opposed to 5-15 crickets per day as I've read. Recently, I've been seeing it pointing its head up with its mouth open particularly at night, although he doesn't make noise when breathing.

I've talked to a specialized vet and he said the symptoms don't necessarily indicate RI, but I have almost no doubt he does have it. I live on an island and there are no other specialized vets where I live. Tomorrow I will call him again to make an appointment so he can treat it with antibiotics. However, he isn't always around and he travels a lot. So what can I do to help the chameleon get better until I can take him to the vet? I've been misting it now with warmer water (too hot to comfortably put your hand in it), so when it hits the chameleon it is lukewarm/warm.

Thanks to everyone.

 

[Kris Chams]

Hello everyone, I've bought a juvenile veiled chameleon a few days ago. Right now he's in a temporary enclosure, but he has a ceramic heat lamp, UV light, a drip system, and I mist it regularly with tepid water. It's a glass enclosure with a screen on the front side.

Since I've brought it home, he hasn't been a good eater. The shop said it ate every other day several crickets, as opposed to 5-15 crickets per day as I've read. Recently, I've been seeing it pointing its head up with its mouth open particularly at night, although he doesn't make noise when breathing.

I've talked to a specialized vet and he said the symptoms don't necessarily indicate RI, but I have almost no doubt he does have it. I live on an island and there are no other specialized vets where I live. Tomorrow I will call him again to make an appointment so he can treat it with antibiotics. However, he isn't always around and he travels a lot. So what can I do to help the chameleon get better until I can take him to the vet? I've been misting it now with warmer water (too hot to comfortably put your hand in it), so when it hits the chameleon it is lukewarm/warm.

Thanks to everyone.

Hi Carlos,
Whenever I got my first chameleon he wouldn't eat a lot first. They have to get used to their new home.
When they open their mouth, they are trying to regulate their temperature.....usually meaning they are too hot, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[CarlosVenator]

Thanks for answering! Yes indeed, they also do it to thermoregulate. But he's barely moving, his tail is almost completely straight instead of curled, and his eyes are mostly closed and even somewhat sunken... I'm very worried.

 

[Mawtyplant]

Thanks for answering! Yes indeed, they also do it to thermoregulate. But he's barely moving, his tail is almost completely straight instead of curled, and his eyes are mostly closed and even somewhat sunken... I'm very worried.

Carlos, can you provide more information, and picture about your chameleon? (humidity level, temperature, vitamins)
thank
mouth open not necessary = infection but not necessarily = thermoregulation so for the moment.. it can be everything till we isolate whats really wrong

 

[jamest0o0]

It could be many things. It doesn't sound good. I'd get a fecal test done as well. Other than that there's not much we can tell you other than see the vet. If something is wrong you should take him back to the store.

 

[CarlosVenator]

Carlos, can you provide more information, and picture about your chameleon? (humidity level, temperature, vitamins)
thank
mouth open not necessary = infection but not necessarily = thermoregulation so for the moment.. it can be everything till we isolate whats really wrong

Yes of course, I forgot. The temperature is 75 ºF and 86 ºF under the ceramic heat bulb. I try my best to raise it a bit more but we're having cold weather here and it's hard. I keep the humidity between 50-60%, but right now it is 68% because I've read that raising the humidity could help with RI (just in case it is RI). I give him calcium dusted crickets which were previously fed carrots or other vegetables, from time to time I also dust the crickets with D3 supplement.

It could be many things. It doesn't sound good. I'd get a fecal test done as well. Other than that there's not much we can tell you other than see the vet. If something is wrong you should take him back to the store.

I wouldn't really like taking it back to the store, I'd like for him to survive and there it would definitely not... Thank you for the recommendation, I will surely take a sample of his feces to the vet.

 

[Kris Chams]

Thanks for answering! Yes indeed, they also do it to thermoregulate. But he's barely moving, his tail is almost completely straight instead of curled, and his eyes are mostly closed and even somewhat sunken... I'm very worried.

Had he been drinking water at all? Was he healthy when you bought him?

 

[CarlosVenator]

Had he been drinking water at all? Was he healthy when you bought him?

When I bought him he did seem healthy, but in the shop they exclusively fed him mealworms wich are too big for him (he's still a juvenile), that I know of they never dusted his food, and they kept him in a glass enclosure. And yes, I've seen him drink very often, but he hasn't eaten much...

 

[Mawtyplant]

Yes of course, I forgot. The temperature is 75 ºF and 86 ºF under the ceramic heat bulb. I try my best to raise it a bit more but we're having cold weather here and it's hard. I keep the humidity between 50-60%, but right now it is 68% because I've read that raising the humidity could help with RI (just in case it is RI). I give him calcium dusted crickets which were previously fed carrots or other vegetables, from time to time I also dust the crickets with D3 supplement.



I wouldn't really like taking it back to the store, I'd like for him to survive and there it would definitely not... Thank you for the recommendation, I will surely take a sample of his feces to the vet.

can you provite picture of the enclosure?
Do you actually see you chameleon under the ceramic bulb sometime? i suggest you to replace the ceramic bulb with a basking spot lamp. What uvb are you using? it is possible to provide video-photo of your chameleon?

 

[Kris Chams]

When I bought him he did seem healthy, but in the shop they exclusively fed him mealworms wich are too big for him (he's still a juvenile), that I know of they never dusted his food, and they kept him in a glass enclosure. And yes, I've seen him drink very often, but he hasn't eaten much...

I hate when pet stores do not take proper care of the reptiles. You're right, mealworms aren't the best feeder for small chameleons. They need small crickets, small silk worms and wax worms as treats. Does his poop & urates look okay? How is he doing now, is he going to bed soon?

 

[CarlosVenator]

can you provite picture of the enclosure?
Do you actually see you chameleon under the ceramic bulb sometime? i suggest you to replace the ceramic bulb with a basking spot lamp. What uvb are you using? it is possible to provide video-photo of your chameleon?

It's very late here now, I'm still up so I can keep an eye on him. But tomorrow after I come back from the vet I'll post a photo of him and his enclosure I'll try to find a basking spot lamp. And I'm using a 24W full-spectrum fluorescent tube. The enclosure is temporary but I hope I can replace it soon by a large screen enclosure.

I hate when pet stores do not take proper care of the reptiles. You're right, mealworms aren't the best feeder for small chameleons. They need small crickets, small silk worms and wax worms as treats. Does his poop & urates look okay? How is he doing now, is he going to bed soon?

Me too. There should be some kind of control... His poop doesn't contain undigested parts and it's nearly black, but the urates are yellowish. He's been drinking today and watching his surroundings too though, so there seems to be some kind of improvement. And yes he's asleep now, and with his mouth closed and resting horizontally instead of looking up.

 

[Kris Chams]

It's very late here now, I'm still up so I can keep an eye on him. But tomorrow after I come back from the vet I'll post a photo of him and his enclosure I'll try to find a basking spot lamp. The enclosure is temporary but I hope I can replace it soon by a large screen enclosure.



Me too. There should be some kind of control... His poop doesn't contain undigested parts and it's nearly black, but the urates are yellowish. He's been drinking today and watching his surroundings too though, so there seems to be some kind of improvement. And yes he's asleep now, and with his mouth closed and resting horizontally instead of looking up.

Awwwww....that poor baby. He's so lucky you saved him. That seems like healthy poop, but if his urates are yellow, that could mean he's dehydrated. Mine had a little yellow in his urates last week, so I've been making sure he's getting plenty of water.
That's good that he is asleep with his mouth closed....bless his little heart. I hope he will get good rest tonight and will wake up feeling better. These little ones are so delicate and they steal your heart. I will be praying for him & you tonight. Where do you live? We have to medium enclosures that you can have.

 

[CarlosVenator]

can you provite picture of the enclosure?
It is possible to provide video-photo of your chameleon?

Awwwww....that poor baby. He's so lucky you saved him. That seems like healthy poop, but if his urates are yellow, that could mean he's dehydrated. Mine had a little yellow in his urates last week, so I've been making sure he's getting plenty of water.
That's good that he is asleep with his mouth closed....bless his little heart. I hope he will get good rest tonight and will wake up feeling better. These little ones are so delicate and they steal your heart. I will be praying for him & you tonight. Where do you live? We have to medium enclosures that you can have.

That is very generous and kind of you! But I probably live very far away from you. I live in the Canary Islands, Spain. But I really appreciate it

I'm very sad to say that I have terrible news... I got back awhile ago from the only specialized vet on this island. After he examined him he said he still saw no signs of RI. He gave the chameleon water through its mouth when it was gaping and sometimes he even forced its mouth open. I saw the chameleon contorting and sticking out its tongue so I told the vet to stop giving it water like that since its lungs could fill up with water... After that the chameleon had a dark brown color and was lying flat on my hand with its eyes closed and its mouth open. The vet interpreted it as a defensive posture, which it obviously wasn't, at all. Then he injected physiological serum subcutaneously. But the assistant agreed with me, she noted that whenever it took a deep breath it opened its mouth widely, so the vet finally gave me the antibiotics. I garantee it wasn't gaping because it was too hot, in any case it was a bit too cold.

Just 2 or 3 minutes after I left the clinic with the antibiotics and a syringe, the chameleon slowly started contorting again and gaping, and large bubbles came out of its nose. I'm almost convinced that it was drowning because the vet gave it water through its mouth, or because he injected the syringe too deep and serum got into its lungs... I massaged his ribcage and grabbed him and carefully did strong strokes downwards to get the water out, but he died moments after... It was really horrible. I did everything I could, but taking it to that "specialized" vet was making things much worse...

 

[Kris Chams]

That is very generous and kind of you! But I probably live very far away from you. I live in the Canary Islands, Spain. But I really appreciate it

I'm very sad to say that I have terrible news... I got back awhile ago from the only specialized vet on this island. After he examined him he said he still saw no signs of RI. He gave the chameleon water through its mouth when it was gaping and sometimes he even forced its mouth open. I saw the chameleon contorting and sticking out its tongue so I told the vet to stop giving it water like that since its lungs could fill up with water... After that the chameleon had a dark brown color and was lying flat on my hand with its eyes closed and its mouth open. The vet interpreted it as a defensive posture, which it obviously wasn't, at all. Then he injected physiological serum subcutaneously. But the assistant agreed with me, she noted that whenever it took a deep breath it opened its mouth widely, so the vet finally gave me the antibiotics. I garantee it wasn't gaping because it was too hot, in any case it was a bit too cold.

Just 2 or 3 minutes after I left the clinic with the antibiotics and a syringe, the chameleon slowly started contorting again and gaping, and large bubbles came out of its nose. I'm almost convinced that it was drowning because the vet gave it water through its mouth, or because he injected the syringe too deep and serum got into its lungs... I massaged his ribcage and grabbed him and carefully did strong strokes downwards to get the water out, but he died moments after... It was really horrible. I did everything I could, but taking it to that "specialized" vet was making things much worse...

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear that that was an awful vet!!!

 

[Mawtyplant]

That is very generous and kind of you! But I probably live very far away from you. I live in the Canary Islands, Spain. But I really appreciate it

I'm very sad to say that I have terrible news... I got back awhile ago from the only specialized vet on this island. After he examined him he said he still saw no signs of RI. He gave the chameleon water through its mouth when it was gaping and sometimes he even forced its mouth open. I saw the chameleon contorting and sticking out its tongue so I told the vet to stop giving it water like that since its lungs could fill up with water... After that the chameleon had a dark brown color and was lying flat on my hand with its eyes closed and its mouth open. The vet interpreted it as a defensive posture, which it obviously wasn't, at all. Then he injected physiological serum subcutaneously. But the assistant agreed with me, she noted that whenever it took a deep breath it opened its mouth widely, so the vet finally gave me the antibiotics. I garantee it wasn't gaping because it was too hot, in any case it was a bit too cold.

Just 2 or 3 minutes after I left the clinic with the antibiotics and a syringe, the chameleon slowly started contorting again and gaping, and large bubbles came out of its nose. I'm almost convinced that it was drowning because the vet gave it water through its mouth, or because he injected the syringe too deep and serum got into its lungs... I massaged his ribcage and grabbed him and carefully did strong strokes downwards to get the water out, but he died moments after... It was really horrible. I did everything I could, but taking it to that "specialized" vet was making things much worse...

WTF!!!! this vet is a mess!!!!!!! o know your feeling.. one vet did similar things with one of my first chameleon.. he killed him with a bad medication.. sorry for your lost.. I hope he didn't charge you any fees for the vet visit?!

 

[CarlosVenator]

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear that that was an awful vet!!!

WTF!!!! this vet is a mess!!!!!!! o know your feeling.. one vet did similar things with one of my first chameleon.. he killed him with a bad medication.. sorry for your lost.. I hope he didn't charge you any fees for the vet visit?!

It's a tragedy... I'm devastated, it was only a juvenile. I'm so sorry you lost a chameleon for that same reason too... In US dollars he charged me $35. This vet is indeed a mess, I'm thinking of making this story public here in some way so he won't kill more reptiles. If he can't properly attend reptiles he shouldn't tell everyone he is an expert. I can't stop thinking that if he just would've given me the antibiotics from the beginning, perhaps the poor little chameleon could've survived...

Thank you all for helping me.

Here's a photo of him:

 

[Kris Chams]

It's a tragedy... I'm devastated, it was only a juvenile. I'm so sorry you lost a chameleon for that same reason too... In US dollars he charged me $35. This vet is indeed a mess, I'm thinking of making this story public here in some way so he won't kill more reptiles. If he can't properly attend reptiles he shouldn't tell everyone he is an expert. I can't stop thinking that if he just would've given me the antibiotics from the beginning, perhaps the poor little chameleon could've survived...

Thank you all for helping me.

Here's a photo of him:

He was a beautiful little guy...my goodness that his so heartbreaking :'( he had the sweetest little face....I'm so sorry for your loss and I hope that vet will never try to help another chameleon again!! He was just awful.