Bloated baby

[jmart]

Hi,
Haven't posted in a long time, but needed some help. Just picked up some chams from a friend that owed me some and have a problem with the smallest. It is about 3-4 months ambilobe panther. Its brothers and sisters are 4 x the size. I thought it was just a runt, but when I put it in its enclosure at home, noticed that the body was swollen like a balloon. It is definitely liquid, so am wondering if it is severe edema? I will not supplement for a while to see what happens. It moves fine but the head looks small for the body. sorry I do not have pics. I will feed 1/4" crickets as he is quite smalll. the other chams look good, just nervous as they have been here anly 3 hours.
Is there a chance it can recover? Has anyone seen this before?

Thank you

 

[carol5208]

really would need to see pics. If it is edema, yes they can recover but it is a condition that can come and go once they get it too. The chameleon I have, had it when I got it from another member. It comes and goes and he has been living with for about 2 1/2 yrs with the condition.

 

[ataraxia]

This is just me throwing out my personal thoughts here. Im wrong 99% of the time so take it for what it is worth.

I have wondered this myself with babies i have to acquired from others with the same problem you are stating. Common since would be to think edema but i personally dont believe so. Something in my gut tells me it is from living in dirty conditions. Im not sure if it is an infection caused from drinking off feces infested plants, cage floor or even if they are shooting at prey and pick up contaminates. Babies that look bloated as you state, dont make it.

 

[Alexl]

You can't say anything about recovery without knowing the reason for the symptoms. It could be edema, it could be ascites, it could be enlarged inner organs. You say it's most likely liquid, so it can't be an edema (which means fluid inside tissues, not free floating in the abdominal cavity), but ascites. If it was this, the questions would be where it comes from and which fluid it is (blood, serum, bile...?). There's a wide range of possible sources of ascites: Cardiac insufficiency, peritonitis (e.g. due to high parasite burden), tumors, liver damage...

I don't think stopping supplementation will help a lot in this case. The little chameleon needs to be examined carefully for proper diagnosis. If it is ascites, a puncture of the fluid done by your reptile vet could help to localize the origin.

 

[Lovereps]

You can't say anything about recovery without knowing the reason for the symptoms. It could be edema, it could be ascites, it could be enlarged inner organs. You say it's most likely liquid, so it can't be an edema (which means fluid inside tissues, not free floating in the abdominal cavity), but ascites. If it was this, the questions would be where it comes from and which fluid it is (blood, serum, bile...?). There's a wide range of possible sources of ascites: Cardiac insufficiency, peritonitis (e.g. due to high parasite burden), tumors, liver damage...

I don't think stopping supplementation will help a lot in this case. The little chameleon needs to be examined carefully for proper diagnosis. If it is ascites, a puncture of the fluid done by your reptile vet could help to localize the origin.

Well said, Alexl.
The only time that stopping supplementation would help is if there has been excessive supplementation.
It could certainly be any of the problems mentioned--some of which the cham could have been born with, others- parasites for example- acquired.

Jmart, maybe you could get your friend to give you the details of their care.
Not too nice of your friend to give you a cham with such a problem.
I hope the little guy has something curable and that he gets through it.

 

[jmart]

Thanks for the replies. I have not seen him eat since getting him, so will move him to a smaller "critter pen" with some plants for easier access to food. He is a bit bigger than hatchling size and should eat small 1.4" crickets. I will try this. I really think he is too small for the vet to do anything. As I said, his brother is eating med crickets.

 

[Decadancin]

I would at least try to get fecals done on all of them. If it is a parasitic issue, you may have a bigger problem and not see it in the other babies yet. This could at least rule out some things. I was going to suggest quarantine, but looks like this is done already. Good luck with your little ones!