hallenhe
Avid Member
Well, I just don't know what to do with Mr. McGinty. Or, rather, I do know, and am doing it, but wish his problems were a little less vague and a little more responsive...
In the time I've had him (since 4/2010), he has never been an overwhelmingly enthusiastic eater. He was diagnosed with Coccidia (most likely picked up outside, where he would shoot the occasional bug - rather more readily than inside) last June after I took him in to the vet because he wasn't growing, which recurred in the autumn, but has been successfully treated with Ponazuril (clean fecals since December). Had an eye infection in February, saw vet, was successfully treated with an antibiotic ointment. About the same time as his infection, he stopped eating altogether, and he has been mostly fed liquid by syringe since then (bugs ground in a mortar and pestle, with sufficient liquid added to make a slurry). He boarded with the vet for two weeks when I was out of town, and they were no better able to get him to eat, though he has been maintaining his weight with the liquid diet. For a couple weeks in April, he would accept live food if I gave it to him outside, and he even took one or two indoors, but then he stopped that and has pretty much reverted to full liquid (did take two small hornworms this week, but has shown no interest in taking any more; sometimes I can slip something soft-bodied (wax- or butterworm) into him when his mouth is open for drinking).
Just this week, he has started having some difficulty with his hind legs - sometimes he'll use them normally, more often he'll be clumsy or uncoordinated with them, and he often makes no effort to grip with his hind feet. Back to the vet today, and we're beginning to dose him with oral calcium (I have been continuing to add the supplement dust to the insect slurries I make up for him, but that can be kind of hit and miss).
I'm not really asking for advice (but am certainly open if anyone has some), but wanted to give folks an update on him, and ask you to keep us in your thoughts.
Bea, my other chameleon, is an Exemplary Specimen of Chameleonhood in every way, and the picture of robust health.
In the time I've had him (since 4/2010), he has never been an overwhelmingly enthusiastic eater. He was diagnosed with Coccidia (most likely picked up outside, where he would shoot the occasional bug - rather more readily than inside) last June after I took him in to the vet because he wasn't growing, which recurred in the autumn, but has been successfully treated with Ponazuril (clean fecals since December). Had an eye infection in February, saw vet, was successfully treated with an antibiotic ointment. About the same time as his infection, he stopped eating altogether, and he has been mostly fed liquid by syringe since then (bugs ground in a mortar and pestle, with sufficient liquid added to make a slurry). He boarded with the vet for two weeks when I was out of town, and they were no better able to get him to eat, though he has been maintaining his weight with the liquid diet. For a couple weeks in April, he would accept live food if I gave it to him outside, and he even took one or two indoors, but then he stopped that and has pretty much reverted to full liquid (did take two small hornworms this week, but has shown no interest in taking any more; sometimes I can slip something soft-bodied (wax- or butterworm) into him when his mouth is open for drinking).
Just this week, he has started having some difficulty with his hind legs - sometimes he'll use them normally, more often he'll be clumsy or uncoordinated with them, and he often makes no effort to grip with his hind feet. Back to the vet today, and we're beginning to dose him with oral calcium (I have been continuing to add the supplement dust to the insect slurries I make up for him, but that can be kind of hit and miss).
I'm not really asking for advice (but am certainly open if anyone has some), but wanted to give folks an update on him, and ask you to keep us in your thoughts.
Bea, my other chameleon, is an Exemplary Specimen of Chameleonhood in every way, and the picture of robust health.
I sure hope the liquid calcium helps.
