Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a female veiled chameleon. We are pretty sure she is egg bound. We have never delt with a egg bound chAMELEON AND WAS WONDERING IF Anyone had any suggestions. Right now we have her in warm water, bottom down hoping gravity will help. Other than that we don't know what to do. She not looking really good so quick responses will be appreciated.Thanks, Cara

If she is indeed eggbound she needs a vet or she will likely die (and may likely die even with a vet visit). Some vets will do surgery but the chances of making it thru are not great. What is she doing? Can you psot pics? Was she mated? Are these an infertile clutch? How long has she been showing signs of being gravid? Did you increase her calcium intake during egg development?

Did you give her a laying bin? Why wait so long for help? Once you knew she was gravid you should have had everything set up for her (and known all about this before purchasing or mating). Sorry, but I get frustrated when keepers have not educated themselves on care and/or wait until the last minute for help.

Here are some article on Dystocia you should read
http://www.anapsid.org/dystocia.html
http://www.adcham.com/html/veterinary/egglaying-fatigue-kramer.html
and here is one on setting up a laying site:
http://www.chameleonnews.com/year2003/jan2003/nesting/nesting.html

lele
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

She ended dying a couple hours after posting. But I just need to defend myself. She was given to us. We were not trying to mate her and had no clue she was gravid. The vet that I talked to told us to do exactly what we were doing. Thats why I came on here for help. I do not like being repremanded for trying to do the right thing. We take in many unwanted reptiles and I do my best to inform myself as best as possible with all of them. We had no clue that this was going to happen. Cara

Hi Cara,

I am truly sorry that you experienced this

In defense of MYself your initial post did not give us much to go on and had to assume minimal experience on your part. Including that she was a rescue, you had seen a vet, and what her/his recommendation was would have been more helpful. But I also understand the state of concern (sometimes panic) from any keeper when things go wrong and may post just enough info to try and get a quick answer. So, I am sorry that I offended you, but as a caring herp keeper I think you can understand if the tables were turned.

lele
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

Cara;
Very sorry she died in your care. My condolenses. I know she was with you for a short time, but this must be difficult for you just the same.
Did you try to extract the eggs after she died? I had a similiar situation with a veiled chameleon a couple of years back. My vet was able to extract the eggs from her- 47 eggs in all.
Out of these 47 eggs, 35 hatched, if I remember right. Might still be able to extract the eggs.
From this heartbreaking dark hour, you might still find a bright spot.
-----
Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

I agree with Lele.
If you suspect she is eggbound, take her to the vet IMMEDIATELY. They may be able to assist her with a calcium shot to induce labor, but time is critical!
Good luck with this.
-----
Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Get her to a vet and giving her calcium may be the only thing that saves her. They can give her oral liquid calcium drops to help her. the water will probably stress her out more and make things worse since it is not natural for them to soak in water.
They are arborial and can't relate to that.