Chandler is going to the vet

[Jevin]

I've scheduled Chandler for a vet appointment with a reptile vet who specializes in chameleons tomorrow for 8:30am. The reason why is yesterday, I noticed two scales on the left side of his mouth that seemed to pushed out due to inflammation or something. I originally thought that maybe something on a cricket he ate managed to poke his mouth. However, today when I fed him, he showed no interest in food, and the inflamed section was still there. He even refused a superworm. He also was being lethargic today. So as a preventative measure, I booked a vet appointment for tomorrow as I'm now starting to think it may be something serious.

 

[kinyonga]

Good luck. Hopefully it's nothing much!

 

[Jevin]

Also going to get him tested for parasites while I'm there, might as well.

 

[Jevin]

I also plan on uploading photos of Chandler's first vet visit, just because it is a bit of a milestone for him.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Hopefully he will be okay!

 

[Jevin]

Also, what bacteria are the culprits for mouth rot and what bacteria are culprits for gland infections in Panther Chameleons, just so I know in time for my vet appointment tomorrow and can be sure that if it is something a bit more serious than just a slight irritation caused by being poked by a cricket leg spike that I get the right medication.

 

[Jevin]

Chandler's transport cage.

 

[kinyonga]

The bacteria usually associated with mouth rot is pseudomonas aeruginosa...a gram negative opportunistic bacteria...but a culture and sensitivity test would be needed to identify it for sure.

 

[Jevin]

Not happy about being up early lol

 

[Jevin]

In the transport cage.

 

[Jevin]

So the vet suspects the beginning of an infection and has prescribed injectable antibiotics as a precaution along with an anti-inflammatory. This is due to a lack of cut or abrasion in his mouth but it definitely being inflamed. And he's a whopping 67 grams and he is behaving himself.

 

[Jevin]

This photo was from before the last one. He was chilling on my hand in the waiting room.

 

[Jevin]

Got the fecal tests back today and he does indeed have coccidia. So back to the vet for more meds.

 

[kinyonga]

Hope he'll soon be back to normal.

 

[Jevin]

Update on Chandler. The swelling has started to subside and he is more active again and he's started to eat again. He does not trust me right now though lol. Whenever I go to pick him up, he'll puff up, gape and lunge at my hand sometimes, especially on the days after the injections. So I'll back off, talk to him and try to handle him after removing my hands for a few seconds and he's then completely fine. He's also determined to make it difficult to give him the oral medication as except for the dose at the vet and the first at home dose, he has started to refuse to open his mouth no matter what I do. As an early Christmas present and an apology for poking him with needles and having to give him oral medication, I gave him his first hornworm today and he was a bit confused about what to do with it at first lol

 

[kinyonga]

Glad to hear he's improving! Hope he's all better soon!

 

[Jevin]

Another update on Chandler, I think he has realized that despite that the meds and needles are no fun, that they are helping him feel better. He's no longer puffing up, gaping and lunging at me when I go to give him his meds in morning. Instead, he makes every effort to keep his mouth sealed shut instead.

I also have a question. I know that the antibiotics are rough on him, so how much water should I be giving him a day to prevent him from developing other problems. He is still drinking, just I'm worried about him getting dehydrated or something like that because of the meds.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Another update on Chandler, I think he has realized that despite that the meds and needles are no fun, that they are helping him feel better. He's no longer puffing up, gaping and lunging at me when I go to give him his meds in morning. Instead, he makes every effort to keep his mouth sealed shut instead.

I also have a question. I know that the antibiotics are rough on him, so how much water should I be giving him a day to prevent him from developing other problems. He is still drinking, just I'm worried about him getting dehydrated or something like that because of the meds.

Sorry, I can't answer your question, but good think he is getting better!

 

[kinyonga]

This might help...
http://www.chameleonnews.com/02NovDonoghue.html
"Water needs are based on metabolic rate (see my first column, March 2002). Once you have a weight on your chameleon, you can look up its metabolic rate from my charts. The charts give "calories per day". A useful approximation is that 1 (one) ml (cc) of water is needed for every calorie. If your chameleon needs, for example, 8 calories daily, it will be drinking about 8 ml daily. Another way to estimate water intake is to use an empirical equation of 10 to 30 ml/kg body weight.

For rehydration by mouth, one can use drinking water in the above dose. Divide the daily dose into many small dosages administered about 2 hours apart. Risks of overdosage are very rare when using this method. If there is any suspicion of electrolyte losses (diarrhea, vomiting, poor food intake, disease), then a product such as Pedialyte is better than plain water. For severe dehydration, intraosseous (within-bone) catheters work well. These can be placed by your veterinarian. Your chameleon will require an overnight hospital stay while fluids are given. Another technique involves giving fluids into the coelomic cavity. All fluids should be warmed prior to dosing."

See this for metabolic rate...
http://www.chameleonnews.com/02MarDonoghue.html

 

[Katacara]

@kinyonga Just wanted to say thank you for all your helpful charts, articles, column's, info... on and on and on... HUGE thank you for being you!! Reading others posts, and your replies often gives me answers to questions I have not even thought to ask!!