Pierre'sMama
New Member
Hello everyone, I am a first time chameleon owner, and this is my first post on the forums. I have always enjoyed reading the advice from experienced keeper's posts, and love how friendly and understanding everyone is!
I have had my male veiled chameleon for 1 year and a month, he is just a month or two older than that, as I bought him when he was just the size of my index finger. My sweet Pierre has so quickly become a part of my family.
I have not had any health issues with Pierre in the time that I've had him until the last two weeks. I had suspected that he developed an impaction because he had not gone to the bathroom in that time. X-rays from the vet this week confirmed my fears. He was given a prescription of Lactulose (2-3 drops a day), Calcionate (1 drop a day), and Pedialyte (3-4 mL throughout the day).
I've been successful in opening his mouth to administer the medication, with special care not to let him aspirate on it. Two days in, my poor boy still has not gone to the bathroom. I called the vet this morning and he seemed very concerned that it hasn't happened yet. What's more is that when I tried to feed him this morning, his tongue would not shoot out completely, as if he had used his full force but his tongue would not extend. This has never happened before, and his X-rays had shown that there was no over-calcification in his bones. The vet agreed that I should stop giving the Calcionate to see if this improves. He has a follow up appointment this coming Tuesday.
I would welcome any advice to help Pierre, I am so worried for him. Would it be advisable to increase his Lactulose intake? Here are some specs on his daily care; feel free to ask for any more information that I did not include.
Name: Pierre, 1 year 1 month old veiled chameleon
Sex: Male
Cage Specs: 2'X'2X4' Reptibreeze Aluminum Screen cage
Lighting: 5.0 Reptisun UVA UVB bulb and 75 Watt heating bulb
Heat: 90 degrees in the basking spot, 75 degrees ambient
Plants: 3 live golden pothos, 1 hibiscus. All pots covered by large rocks.
Substrate: None
Diet: Crickets (gutloaded with fruits and vegetables), occasional super worms, horn worms, hibiscus blooms
Supplementation: Light dustings of calcium without D3 or phosphorus every day, Multivitamins 2 times a month, and calcium with D3 twice a month.
Water: Water treated with reptile primer from a dripper, misting twice daily, and a mini humidifier.
Many thanks in advance!
I have had my male veiled chameleon for 1 year and a month, he is just a month or two older than that, as I bought him when he was just the size of my index finger. My sweet Pierre has so quickly become a part of my family.
I have not had any health issues with Pierre in the time that I've had him until the last two weeks. I had suspected that he developed an impaction because he had not gone to the bathroom in that time. X-rays from the vet this week confirmed my fears. He was given a prescription of Lactulose (2-3 drops a day), Calcionate (1 drop a day), and Pedialyte (3-4 mL throughout the day).
I've been successful in opening his mouth to administer the medication, with special care not to let him aspirate on it. Two days in, my poor boy still has not gone to the bathroom. I called the vet this morning and he seemed very concerned that it hasn't happened yet. What's more is that when I tried to feed him this morning, his tongue would not shoot out completely, as if he had used his full force but his tongue would not extend. This has never happened before, and his X-rays had shown that there was no over-calcification in his bones. The vet agreed that I should stop giving the Calcionate to see if this improves. He has a follow up appointment this coming Tuesday.
I would welcome any advice to help Pierre, I am so worried for him. Would it be advisable to increase his Lactulose intake? Here are some specs on his daily care; feel free to ask for any more information that I did not include.
Name: Pierre, 1 year 1 month old veiled chameleon
Sex: Male
Cage Specs: 2'X'2X4' Reptibreeze Aluminum Screen cage
Lighting: 5.0 Reptisun UVA UVB bulb and 75 Watt heating bulb
Heat: 90 degrees in the basking spot, 75 degrees ambient
Plants: 3 live golden pothos, 1 hibiscus. All pots covered by large rocks.
Substrate: None
Diet: Crickets (gutloaded with fruits and vegetables), occasional super worms, horn worms, hibiscus blooms
Supplementation: Light dustings of calcium without D3 or phosphorus every day, Multivitamins 2 times a month, and calcium with D3 twice a month.
Water: Water treated with reptile primer from a dripper, misting twice daily, and a mini humidifier.
Many thanks in advance!
