Very sick chameleon

[chuckd82nd]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Panther, 8 months, Female
Handling -Twice a week
Feeding - Crickets/wax worms
Supplements - Rep Cal Vitamins and Calcium
Watering - Automatic mister; 45 second invervals; 3 hours a day
Fecal Description - Seems normal

Cage Info:
Cage Type - 24x24x36
Lighting - Exo Terra 5.0 UVB

Temperature - 90 basking; 75
Humidity - normal
Plants - Ficus


She is very sick. Started about 7 days ago. She stopped eating and drinking water. About three days ago she starting throwing up mucus with a little blood. I found a strange spot on her side, seemed discolored because the rest of her body was dark . Now she walks around with her eyes close struggled to get around. She keeps hissing in the air, almost as if she is choking. I took her to the vet 2 days ago but he didnt know what the hell he was doing because he told me the reason for them not eating during the day was because chameleons are "nocturnal". He did, however, perform a dewormer and gave her a vitamen shot. Ive been force feeding her for 2 days and she seems to be getting worse. I feed her calcium, dog food called a/d for canine and feline, critical care.

 

[EvilLost]

You should take her to an exotic animal vet that knows what they are talking about. From a rough description, I would guess she may have an RI since she is wheezing and this NEEDS to be treated with antibiotics or she will likely die.

Force feeding her is not a solution and will stress her more; I'm not familiar on what you are feeding her to comment on the nutrition.


Also, based on the help form you filled out your supplements are off...

You should have:

CALCIUM ONLY - every feeding
CALCIUM + D3 - every other sunday
MULTIVITAMIN - every other sunday


also, under lighting you listed a 5.0 UVB but no basking bulb? how do you have a 90F basking spot with no basking bulb?

what does "normal" humidity mean? what percentage is it at?

what are you using to measure your temperature?


As I'm sure you are aware, CHAMELEONS ARE NOT NOCTURNAL. I would even consider getting your money back from that vet....but get to a good vet ASAP!!!!

 

[K9Luvn]

You should get her to a reptile vet. The vet that you saw obviously doesn't know anything about chameleons.

 

[chameleoman]

ya could be an RI or URI.

 

[suzi]

She could also be egg bound, do you have a egg laying bin in her cage? She needs a vet like already stated.

 

[ataraxia]

O'man. I dont know where to start. You could have a variety of issues going on from the description. As suggested you reallly need to take her to a vet that see herps regularly. Take the information below with you to help the vet.

Age: 8 months - she could very well have eggs among other issues. She is at the age she needs a laying bin provided. This laying bin also has to be tended to daily to keep the proper moisture level.

Hissing, looks like she is choking, eyes closed (Could be two things i can think of)

A. Respiratory infection. She will need to see a vet asap. In the meantime till you see a vet. Keep her humidity levels between 60-80% also give her long shower chamber treatments. This is very important with a RI: Wipe any mucus from inside the chameleons mouth.

B. Impacted. you are feeding waxworms which are not easily digested and can cause some problems. She could be trying to puke them up.

For you care: Please fill the https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/ form completely out. Also be descriptive/detailed. This makes it much easier tfor us to understand everything. If you say as an example: Feces description (Seems normal)..And the supplements section..we really need to see more on your care.

PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!!

 

[chuckd82nd]

Sorry guys. Unfortunatly, she did die as soon as I posted on the forums. I had a more experienced vet schedualed for tomaro. It makes sence as far as being RI, and it makes it pissed that the vet couldn't figure that out when I actually brought him a sample of what she was throwing up. He simply said it was mucus with blood and diagnosed her with worms or parasites. Thanks for the help and information.

 

[Panthergirl11]

Wow I'm so sorry to hear this!