L eating with Syringe

[symphonica]

Can you point out where I mentioned putting the actual syringe into the airway? I thought I had said the liquid contents of the syringe could end up in the airway, causing them to aspirate. Not the actual syringe.

Another warning - do not attempt to force feed when your chameleon is hissing. It may seem convenient because they open their mouth, but their opening to the airway (glottis) is open to make the hissing noise. With their glottis open, THE CONTENTS OF THE SYRINGE could easily get in there.

 

[symphonica]

Seems as though this hasn't been the only thread where you've been "misunderstood" or taken the wrong way by what you have written...

 

[Psychobunny]

I'll have to look this up in my cham biology books, but I would be afraid to
put a syringe that far in and injecting liquid, esp if the cham is struggling
and freaked out.
I'm not saying it's wrong, just that I would not feel comfortable doing it.

 

[symphonica]

I'll have to look this up in my cham biology books, but I would be afraid to
put a syringe that far in and injecting liquid, esp if the cham is struggling
and freaked out.
I'm not saying it's wrong, just that I would not feel comfortable doing it.

I agree. I wouldn't feel comfortable attempting it blindly just based on what I've read, without actually having it shown to me or I practice it under supervision. After all, simply reading something on the internet doesn't make you experienced or capable, right?

 

[fluxlizard]

OK- I tried to bow out, but you had a direct question and an insulting comment, so I'll respond in turn-

Can you point out where I mentioned putting the actual syringe into the airway? I thought I had said the liquid contents of the syringe could end up in the airway, causing them to aspirate. Not the actual syringe.

You thought? You don't know?

Well here you go-

It's knowing the correct placement of it to make sure it's actually getting directly into their stomach.

Improper placement leads to aspiration, which can literally drown them to death very quickly, or cause a RI

There's absolutely, 0% chance of them aspirating, so no need to worry about that, and it's very safe and easy, so you won't mess it up. Just make sure you are gentle.

The only possible way I can see that I am misunderstanding is *if* you are saying placement a few inches down into the lizard is somehow not well past the airway. And the airway is only at the back of the mouth. There are only two choices- the very small airway or great big hole leading to the stomach. Continue down the hole, and you leave the airway behind.

Because of the location of the airway at the rear of the mouth on top of the tongue, there are only 2 ways that can possibly lead to aspiration.

The most likely way you don't seem yet aware of, as it has nothing to do with your recurring complaint of placement of the syringe. It would simply be flooding the lizard's stomach and washing out the contents.

The other way which would involve your concern of placement is an impossibility if you are being gentle, as that placement is *only* down the airway. Because of the size of the airway, this is impossible. A person could give it a real go by using brute force, but it would have to be intentional, and would be obvious to the person holding the syringe that harm was about to occur, and would require much physical trauma before the actual aspiration could occur.

Seems as though this hasn't been the only thread where you've been "misunderstood" or taken the wrong way by what you have written...

Oh brother. Nice one! Really well said! LOL

Where did I complain I was misunderstood or taken the wrong way?

I never claimed that what I wrote is not what I meant if that is what you are saying- I have only tried to clarify for you because you keep declaring that my method is unsafe and insinuating it is radically so.

As for other threads- I'm not sure what you are talking about but it does sometimes frustrate me when I know from experience things that don't line up with what others "know" from secondhand information and/or deductive speculation without experience backing it up. Maybe this is what you are talking about- but I've never felt "misunderstood" or taken the wrong way here on the forums that I can recall.

Sometimes, as in this case, my personal experience is providing me with conclusions contrary to someone's opinion that is not based on their personal experience. And maybe it is a character weakness like you are insinuating with the above comment, but I admit that when that happens I don't like it- particularly when someone who has never tried something declares my experience irrelevant and my conclusions from it incorrect.

If you had ever tried what I have said in this thread, I think you would be surprised at how not difficult it in fact is. Especially after a few times and you've got the jitters out and are confident with what you are doing. Or maybe I've just been lucky all these years...

OK I now surrender-

I apologize to you for taking your earlier comments in this thread personally and responding to them in the way that I did.

I do certainly agree with your recommendation for getting appropriate veterinary care. And in hindsight, although I like the way I do things a lot better than bothering a lizard for long periods, making it open it's mouth many times in one go, etc, I'll concede your overall point and agree that my way is not appropriate for everyone. When giving advice I tend to treat everyone like they are competant and intelligent- I don't know why because I realize that not everyone is at the same place when it comes to experience.

Although come to think of it the OP had already gotten profession veterinary care and advice at the start of this thread when we all began giving advice where we disagreed with his veterinarian.



You win-

I won't bring this method up again.

 

[fluxlizard]

esp if the cham is struggling
and freaked out.

This *is* a valid concern and a very serious one.

If you are restraining in the fashion I described, the lizard can't thrash.

But I agree- don't try it if you don't know what you are doing.

Guys- There is a good reason veterinarians exist. I won't make the mistake of giving this kind of advice on the forums again.

When in doubt at all- get veterinary assistance.