Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My little veiled has gained weight, I can feel it! When I got her, cage and all, last Thursday, I overlooked her substrate and in the past day she's started slowing down allot and opening her mouth allot. She's getting weaker. This morning I realized about the substrate and removed it all, cleaned the cage and put an absorbant paper type for now, all I have on hand. I removed some of the foliage to allow air flow until I can put her in a screened cage. I also put a heating pad under the side that the overhead 45 watt standard bulb is on, and still have the UVB tube over the top. I almost put her down this morning as she was looking so bad.

Still tryin!

DZ

Good luck capt.

If you need anything..let me know.
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Joe
- www.silkwormfarm.com-

Not wanting to sound all, "You should have done your homework on it's needs and requirements"...but that's exactly why you should have had his enclosure set-up BEFORE you purchased a living creature.

From the sounds of it, you probably have your cammy in a GLASS enclosure of some sort - hence no air flow, hence it's probably overheating and your cammy is gaping. (Opening it's mouth to cool itself off). Make sure to hydrate him the best you can, and make sure to have a good food source on hand. Silkies are great, as they provide good nutrition as well as good fluids. (I hope you thought of this requirement beforehand).

Get a cheap "Repterium" for the meantime, and go from there.

And just for your information, when you switch him to his new enclosure...it will take a few days for him to get accustomed to that as well. Not only has he been "freaked-out" by his move to your place, but now he's getting moved to yet another enclosure. (This puts alot of stress on your critter, which in turn can lower his immune system). Just be aware of that.

Best wishes on your criter, and keep us informed.
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In Christ: Raymond

Ray,
This little one is a 'RESCUE' animal. Please don't beat the poster up about 'not doing his homework'. He really IS trying his best to save this Veiled.
From the sound of it, he has the veiled in a 10 gallon aquarium, with some misters that he borrowed from his snakes set up. I've already advised him on the all-screen cage. (See post on this).
Any ideas on what he can do (besides GO SEE A VET!!!!) would be apreciated.
Hoping I didn't offend.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

As much as I can appreciate doing your homework before PURCHASING a pet, I only had about 5 minutes to do so. I was asked how to kill the animal by the guy who gave it to me last Thursday hence my subject line. I do appreciate any help I can get but know this. I have posted several times regarding her health in the last 4 days. Perhaps a little homework on your part would have avoided the tongue lashing you think I deserved.

DZ

First off, no one's attacking you. We all have the same goal, to help you with this veiled. I know this whole thing is rough, but let's remember that a little (maybe a LOT) courtesy goes a long way!
Second, sorry Captain, but I had to read a few different posts before I understood your situation. You don't have a single post where the facts are stated clearly and concisely. I had to read several of your posts to understand what the situation is. Not pointing the finger, nor am I blaming you. Just realize that we will not be able to help you unless we have all the information in one location.
So very sorry if I or any others 'bash' you. Not our intention to bash. We all wish you the best of luck with your rescue attempts. Please take her to a vet ASAP and keep us informed on her situation!
Good luck.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Woooah there, DZ!!

Sorry for the undeserved rebuke. As someone else stated, I do not read EVERY SINGLE ONE of the threads here - hence I did not have all the background information. (I do not read every single thread with a persons name on it before reading the most current one - unless they state it's a follow-up). I was only going by the information you had posted on that one partiucular thread. Think about it...if I had all the background information, do you think I would have said what I said?!

Anyways, I think you are doing a commendable act! I appreciate seeing that folks still care for little critters as much as you do. As a matter of fact, there's another cool person (Starmom) from the RHACODACTYLUS and BEARDED DRAGON forums who saw a turtle on the side of the road who had been hit by a vehicle this weekend. She was on her way to a shower when she saw this bloodied lil critter on the side of the road, took the time to pick-up the bloodied turtle, and carried it with her till she found the appropriate people to care for it.

Super KUDOS to both of yall.

As for the condition of the chameleon...well...I would need alot more information on the chameleon before I would be able to advise you on a plan of action. The fact that he was "gaping," and you had him in a space that lacked air circulation, told me that he was probably in a glass enclosure and was too hot.

With only that information, I would be hesitant about giving you advice.

Just care for him, try to rehydrate him, and try not to make too much contact with him.

I wish you both the best. If he lives through this ordeal, you may have won yourself a new lil buddy to care for.

Keep us informed.
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In Christ: Raymond

You'll have to excuse me, as I feel time is of the upmost importance here. Your veiled didn't look so good in the last picture. Looks like she's in ROUGH shape.
A 10 gallon aquarium with substrate is NOT a good home for this poor unfortunate one. Use an all screen enclosure. 18x18x36 (roughly) is about the smallest you should go, the bigger the better. Reptariums are quite cheap at this size (LLL has for about $30).
Use a ficus tree from Home Depot or other home improvement center for her to climb on. The biggest tree you can cram in there, the better!
Try to use a basking light that will ideally give a hot spot of about 110F, but with plenty of space for her to move about (in case she wants to be cooler. Also use a UVB bulb (such as the ReptiSun 5.0). Better yet, give her exposure to natural, unfiltered sunlight!
Also, you may want to ask others about their 'bug juice' recipes. Looks like you might need to force feed her!
Also, please consider taking her to the vet ASAP!!!! I really feel bad for her. Not blaming you at all on this. Just want this to turn into a story with a happy ending!
Oh, and thanks for trying to rescue her. Good luck!
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Dude! I'm tryin but I never had one before. I was sort of thrown into this when my neighbor asked me how to kill her. I'm going to get her in a screened enclosure ASAP but she barely moves. She can't see and I have no money for vet bills. I live in southern Maryland. If there is anyone who can better take care of her, she's there's. I'm doing what I can but I'm on my 10th day straight working 10-14 hours a day, my wife graduates this weekend and I have 15 of my closest outlaws coming to stay the weekend. Then I am moving off base right after. Trust me, if I had the time and money I would do she truly needs. Should I save her the agony and put her down? I almost did this morning. Please advise.

DZ

Capt. I'd give it a shot. But, I don't think she'd survive a shipping.

If you can, log into the KS chatroom about 10PM tonight and I will give you some things to try.
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Joe
- www.silkwormfarm.com-

Also, If you can get some pictures of her and send them over to me tonight, it would help.
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Joe
- www.silkwormfarm.com-

Don't throw in the towel quite yet! Give it your best shot!
For now, just keep her warm and well hydrated. If she's not eating, crush several crickets with some water to make a soup or juice, and force feed her this mixture. She may not like it, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Ask Lele about this, as she had to do this with her Luna.
Also, give her exposure to natural unfiltered sunlight if at all possible, but not in the aquarium!
Good luck!
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

I agree on the sunshine. Take her out in your hands or on a stick and let here hangout for a little while (with you right there of course)

Here is the link for bug juice. Kim (aka icequeen) has more experience with here rescue of Zoe. I'll see if I can rouse her from hibernation (LOL!)
Link

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica the j sisters were sent to freedom last month
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

here are some MD resources for you. This page list several societies, rescue contacts and vets.
www.anapsid.org/societies/maryland.html

here is the MD Herp Society
www.reptileinfo.com/mdherp.html

here is Eastern Shore; www.kingsnake.com/eshs/

on the first link there are several individuals who do rescue and hopefully one will be in your area. You have to scroll down to see all of them.

We understand you are doing your best and all your frustrations. It was kind of you to try. I don't think everyone realized that your posts were continued from the thread below and thus some of the confusion and what felt like attacks.

Try and contact some in your area. I know we have posters here who live in MD but not sure who or where. let us know if you have luck with any of this and maybe folks have other local ideas or connections as well.

best wishes for the little one
lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica the j sisters were sent to freedom last month
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

You are truly making a valiant effort. My hat is off to you!! Luckily my Silk seems to be on the rebound. Just be careful that any juice you give them doesn't go under her tongue. That's the trachea. Over the tongue is the esophogus, and the path to a full tummy. My thoughts are with you man. Not everyone is all "You should know everything before you get one!!!!", I can totally appreciate your situation. It's not easy to be thrown into something so complicated. Kudos! Keep me posted.
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Doug.

0.1 Veiled Chameleon
1.3 Ambanja Chameleons
1.1 Blue bar Ambilobe Chameleons (now 1.0 )
1 marine reef aquarium (home)
1 marine aquarium store

How far are you from Philly? Maybe I can meet you halfway or something and help with the burden? I'm about 20 minutes N/W of Philly.
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Raf

1.2 Jacksons Adults (Frank, Patty 2, Lucille)
1.1 Nosy Be's (Mars and Roja)
1.1 Bearded Dragons (Diego and Consuelo)
1.1 Adult Sulcattas (POOPIE and George)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.0 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY)
0.0.2 Red ear slider babies (Hingis, Dingis)
1.0 Yellow Footed Tortoise (Alfred)
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
0.1 Black Lab (Krissy)
0.1 English Bulldog (Alice)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too

i am the queen of rescues, working at a vet i get them thrown at me all the time, look at the care sheet right here on kingsnake, its pretty good for cams. and try pedealite (SP?) its worked for me with lots of herp, even a cam in the past
good rescue mojo heading your way!
(and smack the guy who wanted to kill her for me will ya?)