Whats ailing Leon

[Nal0114]

I thought about just leaving him outside today and tonight give him a chance to just be away from it.

It looks like it’s going to be a low of 70 degrees tonight.

Currently it’s 82 with 70% humidity. It’s nice and breezy out there for him and he’s exploring everything.

I REALLY REALLY Do not want to treat with meds if I don’t have too. I just don’t know how much vitamins can do to cure a RI?

I in the future will not out any dirt in his cage. Maybe he is just more sensitive to it than Jade was idk.

 

[Nal0114]

I will give it some time and post an update in about a week or 2.

 

[BleuSaphir]

The aggression on the internet within the pet hobby is very disheartening. People often go into extreme guilt trip mode because it gives them something of a power rush. I like it here because you can feel a more general human compassion vs when I was on the cham subreddit where I was constantly seeing people extremely berate others left and right.
There are definitely concerns with bringing in objects from the outdoors, but there are also ways to make them safe and viable. At the very least, to make sure there's no hitchhikers. All I've done with my hoard of sticks was wash them with soap and water and let them dry off in a more dry room before using them. They were much too big to fit in the oven, so I didn't do the baking one might do when putting together other, smaller enclosures.

Some people are so averse to anything natural, when animals lived just fine in the natural world for eons until we decided to bring them into our homes. I’ll never understand this. I was told I was killing my leopard geckos for keeping them bioactively instead of on paper towel or shelf liner and the person tried to convince their point by saying veterinarians backed this position.

Thats why I never come on Facebook for advice. Nope.

 

[IrohtheVeiled]

Those people want you to pay Big Branch for marked up prices clearly
Outdoor branches are free, and it's a lot of fun to find cool sticks. Just be sure to give them a good soapy wash and let them dry out before usage.

Big branch

Big branch took some money from me when I was building a cage in the winter when outdoor temps and snowfall made scavenging not viable, but the ghostwood looks lovely and once my top canopy fills out it’ll look incredible

 

[Nal0114]

About a week ago I posted on here looking for some advice on what could be ailing my Leon. I said I’d post an update so here we are.

Before I get started I definitely don’t need any ninjas coming after me for any unpopular opinions. Thanks for your understanding!

If you don’t remember Leon was in my opinion showing signs up respiratory issues. However when a doctor I work with contacted a reptile/avian specialist they told me it was neurological, which I truly to my core do not believe to be the case. They said to put him outside and increase b vitamins. Leon wasn’t eating so that became slightly difficult.

UPDATE:
Leon has a doctor appointment tomorrow at 2 pm to check him out. Over the week of him being outside he still showed signs of respiratory distress. He still was showing decline. And was starting to keep his eyes closed.

I started doing an electrolyte soak with him about 4 days ago, and he’s made really really great improvements. After the soak he will open his eyes and be active like he isn’t bothered by anything. He very clearly is still bothered. But his breathing seems easier after the soaks.

Tomorrow at the vet we will hopefully have a solution to what’s ailing Leon, and hopefully we can put this nightmare behind us.

Weight 6/16/2025 was 0.112 kg
Weight on 6/22/2025 was 0.113kg

So he is maintaining his weight.

**attached is the soak I am using for Leon.**

 

[LizardLurkin]

I hope you get answers + treatment tomorrow. It's so sad seeing those photos. Really hope he can start turning around soon.
As for the vet, will it be someone who has a better idea of reptiles and/or chams? I'd be a little worried, after their last suggestion, that you might get lead astray again and have to watch him decline as you already have.

 

[Nal0114]

I hope you get answers + treatment tomorrow. It's so sad seeing those photos. Really hope he can start turning around soon.
As for the vet, will it be someone who has a better idea of reptiles and/or chams? I'd be a little worried, after their last suggestion, that you might get lead astray again and have to watch him decline as you already have.

It is a veterinarian that sees reptiles and was recommended to me for my chameleon. Because I have been skeptical since chams are a misunderstood species and I’m most definitely not asking that specialist anything else about Leon.

I am going to push for X-rays see if anything shows up there maybe a CBC to check his white cells for infection.

When I made the appointment I was told to monitor him this is him today, but he is still opening his mouth to breathe from time to time and he still isn’t eating.

I am going to keep doing the soaks with him because I know it’s making him feel better. And I’m not gonna stop til someone helps him.

 

[Nal0114]

I hope you get answers + treatment tomorrow. It's so sad seeing those photos. Really hope he can start turning around soon.
As for the vet, will it be someone who has a better idea of reptiles and/or chams? I'd be a little worried, after their last suggestion, that you might get lead astray again and have to watch him decline as you already have.

The only reason I even went to the specialist is because he saved my snakes life without ever even seeing her.

 

[Beman]

He is your chameleon and I am not going to try to talk you out of it. But as a moderator here I am going to add some information for those reading through this thread trying to learn proper husbandry.

Chameleons under no circumstances should ever be soaked in water or anything else. They do not absorb moisture through their skin like other reptiles do. This can not only cause extreme stress but does not serve a purpose for a chameleon.

 

[Nal0114]

He is your chameleon and I am not going to try to talk you out of it. But as a moderator here I am going to add some information for those reading through this thread trying to learn proper husbandry.

Chameleons under no circumstances should ever be soaked in water or anything else. They do not absorb moisture through their skin like other reptiles do. This can not only cause extreme stress but does not serve a purpose for a chameleon.

Let me reiterate what I mean when I say soak.

I don’t take Leon and throw him in a bowl of water and say have a great swim bud, I put the electrolyte soak in his water basin for his mist king. And when he comes in 2-3 times a day to drink because I don’t blast him with the hose I bring him in. That’s how he gets it.

 

[GrannyK]

Let me reiterate what I mean when I say soak.

I don’t take Leon and throw him in a bowl of water and say have a great swim bud, I put the electrolyte soak in his water basin for his mist king. And when he comes in 2-3 times a day to drink because I don’t blast him with the hose I bring him in. That’s how he gets it.

I’m glad you specified actually because I’m very simple minded and thought you were using the old throw em in and soak it up bud method.

 

[Nal0114]

I’m glad you specified actually because I’m very simple minded and thought you were using the old throw em in and soak it up bud method.

I wasn’t very specific, I was just putting what the label said expecting the world to read my mind.

I’d never do that to my chameleon.

My snake yes, my leopard gecko sometimes. My chameleon never.

 

[Nal0114]

Update. I had Leon’s appointment. Unfortunately Leon was euthanized. We did an xray that showed a mass at the back of his oral cavity.

We sent that mass off and it came back as Lymphoma.

Weird I never really considered a chameleon getting lymphoma but it’s a living being and I guess they aren’t off limits of getting it.

Just wanted you all to know.

 

[MissSkittles]

I’m so sorry. I know it’s been very difficult for you both, but there is some peace in finally having an answer and letting Leon go with dignity, love and not letting him suffer. Sending you healing juju. ((( )))

 

[GrannyK]

Oh Im so sorry!! At least it is confirmed there really wasn’t much that could be done to help and he was very lucky to have you.

 

[ehdee6]

I'm so sorry! Stupid cancer has no boundaries or limits, human, animal, child or adult. Makes you realize our little loves are more human than we give them credit.

He was very lucky to have such a wonderful human! Although it's never easy, I hope his prognosis gave you some rest knowing you did your best and gave him a good life!

 

[CalamityCrow]

I'm so sorry to hear that... My first cham died of cancer that had ate up his insides with only a tiny nodule appearing before I found it - he died 3 days later. Hugs from afar. Losing them really sucks, but hopefully you can rest somewhat easier knowing that you did what you could for him. <3

 

[Nal0114]

Thank you everyone, it’s been a rough 2 weeks but I’ve dusted myself off and I’m off to the new Chameleon.

Leon wouldn’t want his space just sitting around all vacant he would want another chameleon in his place to be repulsed by my presence just like him and his predecessors, Jade.

The new one is coming from FLChams.com and his name is Rio. He will be here Wednesday.

Pics will be attached once he is settled in.

 

[jannb]

Update. I had Leon’s appointment. Unfortunately Leon was euthanized. We did an xray that showed a mass at the back of his oral cavity.

We sent that mass off and it came back as Lymphoma.

Weird I never really considered a chameleon getting lymphoma but it’s a living being and I guess they aren’t off limits of getting it.

Just wanted you all to know.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Years ago one of my boy had melanoma.