Worried about chameleon! Please help!!

[Penguin]

I recently moved to California and have no friends in the area. I have a 2 year spayed female veiled chameleon.
Last Thursday I found out about a family emergency, and had to fly to my home state. I called around but nobody could care for my Cham. I made sure she was well hydrated and fed when I left.
I only planned on being gone for the weekend, but today my father passed. It wasn't until today that I realized it was Tuesday! (It's been a rough couple of days) I am so filled with fear that my poor little Cham had passed away due to dehydration. I finally got ahold of someone and they are driving 2 hours to my house to feed and water her. I am so filled with guilt and anxiety that I let my little one suffer.

I know what I did was horrible, I can't stop crying thinking I've lost my father and I will come home to have lost my friend. I should know how she's doing when my friend gets there in 45 minutes but can anyone ease my mind until then? She has water in the cage (her drip system drips into a dish) but I know chams will often not drink from a bowl. What is the probability she made it?

I will admit she escaped from her cage once and I couldn't find her anywhere in the house for 3 days! (I put her cage on the floor and one morning she crawled back In) her resilience in that situation gives me hope.

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi there, first off, im extremely sorry for the loss of your father and i pray that God will help you and your family through this time and rest his hand on your shoulder. Sometimes things just dont go the way we want them to0 . I would definitely say that she needs to get some water asap. Your dripper system, does it drip onto leaves or a branch perhaps. if this is the case, she should eventually see it and drink from it. Im holding thumbs that she will be ok. Hang in there! We are with you.

 

[Penguin]

Her dripper is small, and while it drips onto leaves (and she knows where it is) it wouldn't have lasted more than a day

I feel like the worst chameleon mom in the world right now. Thank you for your support.

 

[Deathadder791]

Why though? you tried your best to find someone before you left even during the circumstances, unfortunately it was an emergency and options were very limited. Is your friend traveling to your house from a distance or only getting off work in 45min? *holding thumbs*

 

[Penguin]

My friend traveled to my house from a distance. Got there, said she was sleeping and bright green. Re-filled the drip system which will last her tomorrow (My boyfriend gets in from a business trip and she will be well cared for after that).

Bad news is I forgot to pay my electric bill this month (due to everything else going on!) and they shut off my electricity today! I would've never thought they'd turn it off so fast, I figured I'd have a late fee but nope! So now i've gotta get that taken care of tomorrow on top of funeral arrangements.

Thank you for your responses. Please pray for me in the next few days because my normally very stable life just turned completely upside down!

 

[Deathadder791]

Im glad your little one is fine You have an awesome friend for traveling a distance to help you! My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family during this time. Hang in there.

 

[Forestdellic]

My condolences for the loss you have suffered and I am so sorry to hear what a sharp left turn things have turned out.

Firstly keep in mind that you are not the worst chameleon owner. You have good intentions and obviously show an extensive amount of care and worry for your animal. That in itself makes you a good chameleon owner. Do you have any idea how many people are probably mistreating their chameleons right now? I've had to/still do endure people coming up to me that they have found a wild chameleon in their garden and just keep it in a glass box. Despite being educated and suggested they let it free they still keep it.

Secondly, no one plans for death. That is an act of god. There is no way you could have prepared yourself for such an event and this was a true urgency. You did your best in the short amount of time you were given. Some friends are helping you and your man comes home tomorrow to give you a shoulder and use his other to carry your burdens.

I am glad to hear the chameleon is alright. Unfortunately they tend to dehydrate quickly but I am not going to tell to have that dealt with first and foremost and I am also not going to tell you that you should ignore your chameleon.

However, if I was in your position I would place more priority on the deceased and burial arrangements. As cruel as this might sound there will be other chameleons but their won't be another chance to say that final goodbye

For now I would take a deep breath and just take steps one at a time so you can plan strategically and accordingly. I can't help in that aspect, I am not in your position so I am unable to understand fully.

I hope this helped in some way, gave you reassurance or eased some of your pain. I am deeply sorry