Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, just today i saw one of my baby veileds with a cut just below its right front leg. And now he is just on the floor, with closed eyes and gasping for air. Can any one tell me what could i do to close his wound? Or what to put in it, something that i might have. Please, his wound is about the size of a fruit fly. Not that big, probably caused by some cricket. Thx for your time.

If your chameleon has an open wound and is gasping at the bottom of the cage common sense says take it to a vet.
If you choose to wait for someone to tell you that you will soon have a dead chameleon..

i really cant take him to a vet, i have checked with my area, and there is only a vet thats one hour away. Plus, besides the price, i have read that since the chams are so small, there is only so much they can do. Thx for the help.

Gasping for air is not something that should happen because of a cut. There is more going on here. The cut itself can be easily treated with Polysporin or a triple antibiotic ointment. BUT, the gasping is more serious and we can't even guess about that. You will need a vet, but I've got to say this...

If you didn't know of an experienced vet within a distance that you were willing or able to drive to you should not have a chameleon. You would need this vet sooner or later so either make the trip or give the cham to someone who can care for it.

carlton is abslutely correct. But FWIW, the chances of this baby surviving even with immediate vet care are exceedingly slim. It's why we always say that novices should never, ever get a baby cham.
Sorry,
Ed

Sorry, this seemed odd to me. I had never heard of a novice being able to have succesfully bred Veiled chameleons, as his first reptile to have ever being under his care. This guy knows what he is doing, he is young, yet has as much experience with chameleons as an adult with animals all his life. He asked a question, and you guys simply answer to him by saying "Take him to the vet." Just goes to show how much you really tried to help him. I disagree with you heartily, and do not beleive that a "novice", or anyone at all, should be treated like this.

I don't think we were harsh. First, it's not all clear that her bred the babies rather than buying them. Second, what he's describing (baby laying on the floor gasping) sounds like pre-death behavior. Aside from lowering the cage temps I don't think anyone here could possibly suggest any other course of action except taking the animal to a vet.

I look at it this way: What If a friend called me up and said "My month old daughter has a little cut on her leg and is laying on the floor, gasping for breath. What should I do?" Assuming that the cut was not gushing blood I'd say "Call 911!!! I don't see the difference with the current situation. And anyone who suggested a home remedy in such a situation, something that would delay the 911 call, would be complicit in the death of that child.

At least that's the way I see it.
Ed