Vet suggesting a blood test... is the stress to my cham worth it?
- Thread starter blue_cham
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blue_cham
Established Member
BLOOD TEST IS BACK! And not enlightening at all 
Plus Blue's poor tail is black after his blood draw. It still had mobility but it's super dark. I searched on the forums and apparently is may or may not get color again Although if I could just get him healthy I'd be happy.
Despite vet's concerns about renal/kidney issues on xray, blood test shows no issues with either. Only thing is some dehydration. Which is odd because his last poop had a nice white urate, and his mister runs every 2 hrs. I'm guessing that it has to do with his lack of appetite, maybe he is not wanting to drink? Or maybe his tongue? Idk.
Vet is getting in touch with specialists again for their opinion, gonna call back tomorrow. Looks like we might be starting precautionary antibiotics, intramuscular injections Blue is going to hate this. On phone, it sounded like antibiotic name is Tortaz(sp?)? I didn't think to ask about white blood cell count, vet didn't mention it.
When she calls tomorrow, I'm going to bring vitamin A up one last time. I PMed Mawtyplant for advice on dosage.
Blue is only eating two large feeders each feeding (his appetite is terrible), he stays darker colors, is not as active as he should be. I cut out d3 supplements (only calcium and vitamins for now), increased to UVB 10 and trips outside for natural sun. Now this dehydration thing, but besides feeding silkworms or hornworms... I can't really make him drink. I'm seriously losing my mind over this. I've spent about $400 at the vet now and know nothing
Plus Blue's poor tail is black after his blood draw. It still had mobility but it's super dark. I searched on the forums and apparently is may or may not get color again Although if I could just get him healthy I'd be happy.Despite vet's concerns about renal/kidney issues on xray, blood test shows no issues with either. Only thing is some dehydration. Which is odd because his last poop had a nice white urate, and his mister runs every 2 hrs. I'm guessing that it has to do with his lack of appetite, maybe he is not wanting to drink? Or maybe his tongue? Idk.
Vet is getting in touch with specialists again for their opinion, gonna call back tomorrow. Looks like we might be starting precautionary antibiotics, intramuscular injections
Blue is going to hate this. On phone, it sounded like antibiotic name is Tortaz(sp?)? I didn't think to ask about white blood cell count, vet didn't mention it.When she calls tomorrow, I'm going to bring vitamin A up one last time. I PMed Mawtyplant for advice on dosage.
Blue is only eating two large feeders each feeding (his appetite is terrible), he stays darker colors, is not as active as he should be. I cut out d3 supplements (only calcium and vitamins for now), increased to UVB 10 and trips outside for natural sun. Now this dehydration thing, but besides feeding silkworms or hornworms... I can't really make him drink. I'm seriously losing my mind over this. I've spent about $400 at the vet now and know nothing
Jevin
Chameleon Enthusiast
Jeeze, I'm on the same boat as you right now almost with Chandler. Luckily eating like normal, just having intermittent swelling show up in his back legs, but his blood test came back perfect except for slightly elevated calcium. Thinking possibly too much D3 for him as he has a T5 10% Arcadia bulb and a exoterra 5.0 T8 and exposed to direct sunlight as well, so it's possible he produces sufficient D3 naturally.
I hope you find out the cause of Blue's recent behavior change.
I hope you find out the cause of Blue's recent behavior change.
Jevin
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yeah, I agree, but unfortunately stuff like this can have multiple causes, even some that can't be detected via x-rays and blood tests. I honestly believe that chameleons are capable of developing depression just like humans. To prevent this, I usually change Chandler's enclosure slightly on a weekly basis. In my belief, it prevents boredom for him.
Also, in nature, a chameleon's habitat is constantly in a state of change, such is the way of nature and environments, they are never stable and constant.
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