sick veiled chameleon

[Catt31]

Chip is very sick and I'm so distraught. We think he just got overstressed during the really cold spell we had, and now he is dehydrated. He hasn't eaten or drank anything for almost 2 weeks, except for the stuff we've been feeding him with a syringe. We've been giving him electrolytes and water every 3-5 hours and worms about 2 times a day. We've also been giving him a steam in a hot shower (just the mist) about once a day, and spritzing him 10-15 times a day. We bought him a humidimat to increase the humidity and have draped a wet towel around his cage. We also put in a brand new heat lamp and UV bulb. The vet said we've done everything we can - he will either pull through or die. (nice eh?) He is so skinny and cold to the touch, and he is very lethargic. Now, he is very weak, he won't even climb up on his leaves or sticks, and when he does, he falls off. He is just sitting at the bottom of his cage and sleeps. It breaks my heart that there is nothing else we can do. Does anyone have any other suggestions before my Chippy dies on me? We're willing to try anything!! :sad:

[LibbyP]

Oh Catt31, I'm so sorry to be reading this, I know how much Chip means to you. Sorry I have nothing to offer in advice but sending positive thoughts and prayers that he'll pull through keep us posted

[susieqt]

As a fellow reptile owner, I can feel your pain. How old is Chip?
Isn't it normal for reptiles to go through a period of burmanation (sort of like a hibernation?) I know my lizard (Mali Uromastyx) has been sleeing for a few weeks; I am getting worried, too.

[Catt31]

Thanks Libby & susie! I appreciate the thoughts and prayers, trust me, I've been doing a lot of that!! Chip is about 2 years old, so it is wayyy too soon for him to die. He is still hanging in there, very weak still, hanging out on the bottom of the cage. I don't think cameleons hibernate, although other lizards do. He isn't "sleeping" but he is 'sleepy'...I'll have to do some more research on that one!! Thanks! I'll keep ya posted!! I'm phoning the vet again today, there has to be something else they can do!

[cpietra16]

I am happy he's still hanging on. Keep us posted.

[pug lover]

I too am hoping that this is some sort of bernation my beardied went through it not too long ago and she just turned 1 when i brought spud into the vet they took a blood sample to confirm if it was a bernation or not

will hope that is all it is keep us posted--think of any tank changes that you have made change in back ground differnt light wattage anything i know i threw spud into a bernation cause i put up a dark blue snowman background in her tank she was in a sleep like transe for about 6 weeks

beardies can do this for anwhere between 2 weeks and 3 months dont know much about chameleons but check with your vet about this

[mafiaprincess]

Update? I love to hear about other peoples pets that I don't think I could ever own..

[Catt31]

Oops, sorry, guess I forgot to update this in the craziness of Chip, Christmas, New Years and Brick slicing open his foot!! UGH!!! When it rains it pours I guess!!

Unfortunately Chip did not make it! It was a very very sad week around here, scrambling to make him drink and eat, but in the end he gave up. He died on Wed. Dec. 20th and we buried him in the back yard! :sad:

Thanks for your concern everyone!!! It means a lot to us!

[dragon_queen]

I am really sorry to hear about chip :sad: