little no tongue - so glad I took him to the vet

[little leaf]

for the little guy with no tongue, when I picked him up, he was really thin, and dehydrated, that is why his owner reached out for help, she thought she had a few homes for him, but they did not work out, and he was in such a bad way, and really did not have alot of time -so I went and got the little guy ( an 8 hr road trip to another state lol) when I got him back here, I looked in his mouth - I have never had a cham w/ no tongue - I could not make out what I was really seeing - the mouth looked strange to me, so I thought it was because I had never seen this in person, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking there is just "something " else wrong -his neck also looked weird to me - I was not sure if he had a uri - he did not really act like it , except for the sticky spit- and he did breath oddly- like he was chasing his breath, but not like a uri cham - it was kinda like he was tiring to eat his breath - it was odd- I have no shame in saying I knew I need more help, so set up the vet apt/ for a crash course in educating myself on such a cham, and how to properly care for him ( I have had quite a few rescue, but none like this ) well, the whole floor of his mouth was FULL of old food, it had completely encapsulated his tongue bone ( he does have that, I am so glad ) and the floor of his mouth - you could not even see it, it was so full and packed in there, the trachea was pushed to the side I felt really bad for him, but we had to get that out- he already looks like he feels better - and now he will be able to use the bone to help push the food to the back of his mouth. He is really a sweet little guy, and after everything we put him thew- he was not a bit shy about getting right back on my hand - but I dont think he likes Dr Tim anymore- LOL I hope now he can gain weight and feel better you can see in the first pic, how distended his lower jaw/neck area looks, and the 2nd pic today- what a difference !!

 

[Peachypink]

Oh, wow! I can't even imagine! Poor little guy. Kuddos to you on driving that far to rescue him!

Please keep us posted on all the in's and out's of having a guy with no tongue.

 

[carol5208]

Oh my gosh! What a little trooper he is. Poor little fellow. So glad you are giving him a fighting chance with proper care. Best of luck to you and the little guy!

 

[Lathis]

Poor little thing! I wish you both the best. Thanks for making the trip - I was really, really hoping he could find a great new home.

 

[MelissaB]

You are a wonderful person. He looks so much better in the second photo. Poor little guy. I'm sure he'll blossom under your care.

 

[pigglett79]

I'm so glad you were able to pick him up. Lucky little guy is going to feel so much better. You have a great instinct for picking up when something just isn't quite right. Nice job with him.

 

[deerharvester]

Im glad you stepped up, with my work schedule, kids and chams i did not have the time for such a case at this point. Im glad to know there are good people out there still.

Scott

 

[repdog]

What a wonderful job. I love rescue but my pocket book doesn't.

 

[jannb]

Thank you for rescuing that sweet little man and giving him a second chance at life.

 

[shmeenakoz]

THANK YOU!!! You are the best!! I was really upset I couldn't rescue him (extra vet bills and school/work schedule) and was so hoping he'd end up in good hands. So happy to see him looking better already, such a beautiful guy.

 

[laurie]

I will admit I was nearly gagging as you described what you and the vet had to do to him. Once more you have saved another creature. I am so happy you didn't give up on chameleons. I would be missing a friend, but lots of chameleons might well be dead. You are wonderful to spend so much time and effort on these chams.

 

[Lazy Boy]

So glad he's in great hands. May he live a long life with you.

 

[haylezcham]

Wow well done U! He's beautiful

 

[Carlton]

Wow....a whole new aspect of keeping a tongueless cham. It sounds as if this potential problem needs to be added to the forum "guidance" about tongueless cham husbandry! I wonder what might help prevent this food build up...periodically checking for it visually, maybe periodic lower jaw area massage to help move or break up food deposits, what do you think?

Great work!

 

[little leaf]

DON'T READ IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH ! mouth crud detail

Wow....a whole new aspect of keeping a tongueless cham. It sounds as if this potential problem needs to be added to the forum "guidance" about tongueless cham husbandry! I wonder what might help prevent this food build up...periodically checking for it visually, maybe periodic lower jaw area massage to help move or break up food deposits, what do you think?

Great work!

I dont really know- I wish I could have gotten pics - it was the most disgusting and fascinating at the same time- the top layers were still a cream color - like the CC - but once we started to get into it, it became more brown and nasty - the amount that was in there was incredible - the part that came off the tongue , was about 1 1/4 long tube - it pulled right off - and remained intact I think in part to how packed it was - I could look right down it like a straw - when he first found the bone in there, he pulled it up and outward- it was aprx I would say about an 1/8 " wide, then the tongue was IN that - but when you looked at before we started, it did not look all the discolored - it was that off yellow, cream like a mouth- I think in part that it has fresh CC on it - but we chopped it up, it was a mix of CC, cal/ powder, bug guts and legs - it had some oder to it , but not like putrid ( like an abscess ) and the trachea was pushed over and down - that was almost closed off - you could see the little skin flap opening and closing - but it was in the wrong spot - I kinda think maybe muscle atrophy ?? of the back tongue muscle and the pressure of all that gunk - I really do not know- like I said, I so wish I could have taken pics, but I was holding his mouth open, and he and the nurse were working in it- but he would stop, and show me things to look at - what to look for - he is such a cool vet ! it was hard on the little guy- and we still dont know for sure how he is going to do- but I think he sure has a better chance now- if I have to give the CC again, he wants it tubed in, so as to avoid any build up so it can stay clean, and heal, it was really irritated, but today , he had 2 small roaches, 3 calci womrs, and a preg/ crix with all the legs and wings cut off - ( thats fun, chasing down the ones who have eggs- lol - but I figure they are the most nutritious , but I hate feeding crix, but thought the eggs would be good for him ? if this is wrong- tell me - I will not give him any more )
it was by far one of my most interesting trips there so far - and I have Danofloxacin if I need it- he left for China today- for like 4 weeks - so now I sure hope all goes well, because I can not ask anything if I get in a jam - if anyone has any advice, input- please feel free- this is all new to me- and I am not ashamed to say that I feel uneasy - only a dumb person would say they are to smart to ask for help - but the original owner, she could have never known this was all in there- she did a great job w/ him as far as I am concerned , and the longer it went , the worse it got - until she knew he was in trouble - I give her alot of credit knowing her little guy well enough to know he was getting worse, and asking for help while he still had a chance - I just hope I dont let her down -

 

[Carlton]

Well, if we can warn keepers with tongueless chams about this potential problem they maybe able to avoid it getting to this state. That's worth something. We know some chams have survived well without their tongues...this may raise the survival rate.

 

[little leaf]

Well, if we can warn keepers with tongueless chams about this potential problem they maybe able to avoid it getting to this state. That's worth something. We know some chams have survived well without their tongues...this may raise the survival rate.

I know my one little rescue Gail had this packed in her gums - its so sticky , the CC - but in its own way, thats good, I think they have less risk chocking on it -
I hope this little guy comes around, I am more worried about water than food to be honest - I just can not seem to get ahead of the dehydration , he even had an " IV " shot of liquid into his abdominal - his urates look good, not orange, but his eyes are sooooooooooo sucked in still - part of that may be just the low body weight ?
I already has a person on FB who uses this say she will now check her chams mouth close from using the CC - I hope this little guy will be one of those who also can be here a long time - tongue or no tongue, he sure is a cute little guy I have a Jax here who came in missing part of the front of her face , part of her foot, and some of her tail- she is doing well, and the missing part does not seem to bother her at all

 

[lisagr07]

Cheryl, Cheryl...... If it can be done, you will figure a way and do it!!!!!!
Any needy creature that gets lucky enough to end up in your care,,, is one super lucky animal!!!!!!
Thank you for what you do,, and I bet you do it with a smile on your face!!! ;-)

 

[Duhjoker]

This story really touches me. I have rescued animals in the past that have had special needs and I know how hard it can be. You are a brave wonderful person to take such a case on and I appluad your dedication.

I also agree a thread needs to be started about chams with no tongues and that it would help future people who run into this particular problem.

 

[little leaf]

I also agree a thread needs to be started about chams with no tongues and that it would help future people who run into this particular problem.

I think it would be helpful too- I know there are people on here who have kept them, and I know some lived a nice long time- others did not do well - I talked to Hoj, he has one, he gave me some good tips , but it would be helpful to know what works, and what does not - my biggest issue is water - when he goes to drink, he puts his head down- he has used the milk cap, and gets water, I just dont think enough -
I know alot of ppl who asked about him ( not cham ppl ) to were surprised to learn they can live with out a tongue , others were like WHY would you go that far - again , not cham ppl - that part is a simple answer - he needed help, why not