Heartbreaking decision to make - young panther with poor tongue aim

[Milch]

I’ve had 4.5 month old panther for just over a week and when I hand feed him he nearly always misses the target, and he much prefers getting close up to his prey, extending his tongue a few inches.

The seller, a very reputable breeder, has offered to replace him based on my videos.

As far as I’m aware his husbandry has been top notch, but from day 1 his aim has been clearly off.

Does anyone know if his aim is likely to improve, or is there something wrong with him that could signal long term problems?

I’m really attached to the little guy so I’m torn over what to do. Please help!

 

[Beman]

Hey there welcome to the forum... It could be something as simple as baby hyper extended his tongue. This typically resolves on its own you just want to ensure he can get within a few inches of his insect so he does not need to extend as far while it is healing. Which would mean avoid hand feeding right now if targeting is compromised. Too easy for him to get latched on to your finger and then make it worse.

Make sure supplements are on point as well. He should have been getting a multivitmain with A and D3 at least 1-2 times a month then calcium at all other feedings.

 

[Milch]

Hey there welcome to the forum... It could be something as simple as baby hyper extended his tongue. This typically resolves on its own you just want to ensure he can get within a few inches of his insect so he does not need to extend as far while it is healing. Which would mean avoid hand feeding right now if targeting is compromised. Too easy for him to get latched on to your finger and then make it worse.

Make sure supplements are on point as well. He should have been getting a multivitmain with A and D3 at least 1-2 times a month then calcium at all other feedings.

Thank you, Beman

The breeder told me to feed my cham a daily mixture of:

Calcium

Bee pollen

Except for two days a week when he gets this:

Multivitamin

(The latter claims ‘this provides at least 100 IU/kg of pro-vitamin A, the water-soluble natural source of vitamin A for animals that cannot be overdosed’)

He said that those dustings along with a regularly changed UV bulb will give my cham everything he needs.

I’m inclined to trust him based on his reputation, impressive premises, and the sheer number of reptiles he breeds (and he specialises in chams), but based on your knowledge do you think my cham is getting sufficient nutrients?

Thanks again!

 

[ERKleRose]

Hi there, and welcome on here!

I’ve had a chameleon with tongue issues, and he lived a wonderful life with his tongue handicap! He ate up close in a bowl like a bearded dragon would (I used these bowls myself: https://www.rainbowmealworms.net/no-escapee-feeder-dishes/ )

For chameleons, you want a prEformed Vitamin A (retinol), not just a prOformed Vitamin A (beta carotene), as it’s not known if chameleons can turn prOformed Vit. A into prEformed Vit. A in their bodies on their own. Saying that, you only want to give a multivitamin with prEformed Vit. A once every two weeks since you have a panther.

The breeder has been using the wrong supplements, I’d see if you could get a refund regardless of if you keep your current cham or replace him, and/or see if he will cover your vet bills. For your supplements, you’ll use the Earth Pro A every feeding (if your cham starts to show signs of edema, switch to Arcadia’s plain calcium as the bee pollen can sometimes cause that when given directly to the chameleon). You’ll want to get the RevitaliseD3 to use as your multivitamin and D3 every two weeks. He has had no D3 given to him orally, so hopefully his uvi levels have been high enough at the breeder’s place

A few more questions, sorry! How far away is his uvb bulb away from his basking branch, and what is the brand, strength of fixture, and strength of uvb bulb? Last one is what do you gutload with?