Well, the last two weeks have been quite trying to say the very least, I had Cruz back at the vet on Friday and his bandages were removed. There is definitely an improvement in swelling and infection but we still need to wait till it is completely healed and dead tissue removed before stitching his knee up and waiting for the healing process. I am quite amazed as to how capable he still is around his cage with two bandaged back legs(see attached pic). I went looking for ceramic heating lamps to warm the enclosures at night, as it is really cold here on the plots at the moment. All the ceramic heaters were also infra red? Or at least the ones I saw, so I am still using my original infra red lights but have moved both his and her furniture really far away as possible.
I have also moved my chameleons into my room as this is the warmest room in my home, in fact I have moved ALL my animals into my room!! HA! So apart from the bassets and my foster doggy that sleep on my bed with me, my fish, birds, hamsters and chameleons AND my incubator are all in my room! They all have their own space and birds are not near my chams, it's actually quite cozy! Feels like Im in the jungle with the waterfall in the background and the sound of crickets!! LOVE IT!
Well I can finally say I was officially bitten by Cruz!! And man alive, one thing is for sure, he aint to weak to give a good bite, I screamed so loud I don't know who got a bigger fright, him or myself! HA! So Im glad he has his strength still but I am so concerned about his stress levels? Normally every morning during the feeding and administering of meds, then basking in the sun, he returns to his beautiful bright colours..... but for the past 4 days or so, he has stayed dark in colour, refuses to drink or eat anything by himself, which I believe is normal but it's as though he deliberately clenches his jaw shut and makes it almost impossible to administer his meds and food. And being alone through this process does not help either.
It has been quite a challenge for me and I spend a good hour every morning just doctoring and feeding him alone and it most certainly has taken a toll on both him and I but I feel positive that he will recover completely and be just great. I have grown so much closer to him after all this but am worried about the stress. For a chameleon that is never really handled at all and now suddenly being handled every morning and now every evening too, as I syringe feed him at night too now and travelling back and forth in the car to Onderstepoort, surely eventually will affect him? Could one give a chameleon rescue drops? Or anything else to possibly calm him that you know of? Well back to Onderstepoort Tmrw for another check up and bandage change so will ask the vet too.
I measured him today and he is 37cm long from head to end of tail, could this give any indication as to how old he could possibly be?
Can you pls tell me what I am doing wrong with posting of pics?
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