MEDICATIONS, FIRST AID AND PROBLEM SOLVING TIPS
On this page, i will go over a few products that can be used if your chameleon falls ill, or for simply decreasing their parasite loads..
DE-WORMING:
there has been only one medication that i have tried successfully for these animals that helps de-worm them, without harmful side effects. that product is Panacur.
PANACUR ( for dogs and cats )
this is available most everywhere in pill form over the counter.
there are a few steps that must be taken before it can be distributed to the animals.
step 1: take (1) pill from package
step 2: place pill in ziplock baggy and crush into a powder
step 3: place number of desired feeding items into baggy a LIGHTLY coat them with the
powedered panacur.
step 4: feed to your chameleon(s).
this step does not need to be repeated more then 1-2 times. each application must be at least 2 weeks apart from the previous treatment.
LIQUID PANACUR
this is the form that is most commonly available to the public via veterinary visit.
most veterinary practices will have small syringes full of this paste available for around $5-$10
for this form of de-wormer, all that is needed to be done is the following:
step 1: with a butter knife, spread a thin layer onto a small- medium sized piece of tinfoil.
step 2: let paste dry 2-3 days in a warm ventilated area.
step 3: scrape dried paste off tinfoil and into a ziplock baggy.
step 4: place desired amount of feeding items into baggy and LIGHTLY coat them.
this step does not need to be repeated more then 1-2 times. each application must be at least 2 weeks apart from the previous treatment.
MY CHAMELEON IS DE-HYDRATED WHAT SHOULD I DO?
unfortunately, since these animals are so small, placing them into the shower like you would a larger chameleon, could potentially stress the animal to death.
so, there is a similar method that helps get them hydrated while keeping their stress level at a minimum.
the product that i use to re-hydrate my chameleons is:
PEDIALYTE / ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION
this is available in the infant/baby section at most grocery stores and similar retailers.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
(1) small bottle of pedialyte ( unflavored )
(1) 3 cc syringe (these can be purchased without the needle at farm supply stores and veterinary offices).
(1) small dixie cup ( kind used for mouthwash) or other small container
(1) small non abrasive hand towel.
HOW TO APPLY THE PRODUCT:
step 1: place 1 teaspoon full of pedialyte solution into a small cup
step 2: using your 3 cc syringe, draw up 1 cc of solution into syringe.
step 3: take chameleon out of enclosure and place him in the plam of your hand.
step 4: lightly cup your hand around your chameleon, making sure that he is secure.
step 5: using your syringe, without needle, place one droplet of solution on the tip of the
chameleon's mouth.
step 6: wait until the droplet is lapped up, and then repeat step 5 again until the chameleon has
consumed nearly 1/2 CC.
MY CHAMELEONS EYE IS SWOLLEN AND WONT OPEN? WHAT SHOULD I DO?
( before treatment )
( after treatment )
Example of a severely swollen eye. this was caused by a fall which ended in this pygmy puncturing the outside of the eye on a branch.
Well, there may be one of several things going on here.
first, try to find out why your chameleon's eye is closed and will not open.
step 1: if no debris is noted, then a vet visit is in order to determine what is wrong!!!!
step 2: if debris is noted, you will need to help the animal flush this out of the eye..
step 3: To flush the eye, you will need several items at hand:
(1) 3 cc syringe WITHOUT NEEDLE
(1) small tube/pouch of Saline Solution ( this is available at veterinary offices or drug stores at reasonable prices).
(1) small/medium non abrasive hand towel.
step 1: draw up 1/2 cc of Saline solution into the syringe.
step 2: hold the chameleon in the palm of your hand with fingers lightly wrapped around the body.
step 3: with the bad eye facing you, drop 1-2 droplets over the eye, with 30 second intervals, or until the chameleon starts to rub its eye around to clear the debris.
step 4: with the hand towel, GENTLY wipe away any debris that is noticed or excess saline.
step 5: repeat 2-3 times consecutively, until debris is flushed out, or chameleon is able to clean its eye on its own.
step 6: place chameleon back into enclosure, and monitor for the next week. if the eye swells or continues to stay closed, then the animal needs to see a Vet immediately!
**NOTE**
be SURE to not get any saline solution into the chameleons mouth. this can cause severe problems!
**NOTE**
it is always a good idea to have a chameleon first-aid kit on hand. this will help in case of an emergency, or if something goes wrong while traveling with the animal.
this is a list of things that i have gathered that are in my first-aid kit. not all of which you will need or use, but it is better to have it then be without.
FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS:
Tools:
1. syringe
2. tweezers
3. Cotton balls
4. Q-tips
5. Latex gloves
6. Heat packs
7. small plastic spoons ( used to open the animals mouth for oral meds or lodged food, etc.)
Medications:
1. Flamazine (for burns and wounds)
2. Neosporin/polysporin
3. Betadine
4. Silvadene Cream
5. Zymox
6. Terramicin
Body:
1. K-Y jelly (for keeping prolapses moist)
2. mineral oil. (for constipation / blockages)
Eyes:
1 Neo-Poly-Bac
2. Gentamicin
3. Bausch and Lomb Sterile Eye Wash
Dehydration, anorexia, and MBD issues:
1. Fluker's Repta Aid for chameleon
2. Liquid Calcium
3. pedialyte/electrolye solutions
I WILL UPDATE THIS PAGE WITH MORE PRODUCT INFORMATION WHEN TIME ALLOWS.
IF THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIFIC THAT YOU NEED ANSWERED, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT:
gretchenellie@yahoo.com
