My baby had a tongue accident; had to amputate

[ChameleonMom]

I don't often hand feed my chameleons for this very reason, but today I fed my (coveted) 6 month old male veiled baby 3 freaking crickets by hand and on the third one his tongue hit and stuck to my finger - but he didn't know, it stuck and he CHOMPED down - I could hear the crunch - and my heart just broke. The tongue then fell from my finger and became stuck to a canvas chair and he again thought it was retracting and bit down again. In a matter of seconds we went from him watching me get feeder bowls organized for my crew from his tree on my kitchen island to this horror unfolding between us. He freaked out and I could tell he was in pain and was confused. I immediately calmed him and gave him 0.02cc's of Metacam, put his tongue in sugar water (had heard that helps with hemipenes so thought 'lets go with it'), called my vet and rushed him in. My vet was not optimistic about saving the tongue - he wanted him over night so he put Dexter into an incubator (Dex was in shock and vet wanted him warm) he gently put his tongue back in, hoping the swelling would go down and the tongue would retract. He told me to go home as it would be a few hours. When I next talked to the vet, nothing had changed. The next call was that Dexter had 'spat out' his tongue and there was no 'life' left in the muscle and in fact a blood clot had developed and the only choice left was to amputate. My heart sank. They sedated him and immediately performed the surgery. My vet called me back to say the surgery was a success but he was taking him home to keep an eye on him - he was still groggy and the clinic had closed. He didn't want him alone tonite

So my vet is concerned for me as he's not certain Dexter can learn to eat and then maintain a nutritious diet for his entire life without a tongue - he really tried to paint a bleak picture so I'd now what to expect. He was doing his job I guess but I was adamant Dexter can live a full and happy life without his tongue. My vet is a great reptile vet and really knows his stuff but he has more clients who would have the pet put down, not save it and nurse it through life. I guess it was his way of softening the blow of amputation but there was no way in hell Dexter wasn't going to get through this with me by his side. I asked my vet "Do you sell carnivore care? That's what I'm going to need to get him healthy and keep him there."

I guess what I'm leading up to is...I know this isn't a rare occurrence - I know it happens. So is there any specific advice from keepers out there who have had a tongue injury in a Cham? How you managed through the first few days after surgery, any problems with drinking, what to do if I can't train him to eat or will I have to syringe feed him bug juice for life? Anything at all, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

So...all in all a super crappy day. I feel a cloud of disappointment in myself settling over me and a huge sense of having let my baby boy down - like I failed him. I am just sick about this and I keep going over and over in my head..."what made me, THIS TIME decide to hand feed?" And I just could kick myself silly....

 

[ReptiGeek]

Lisa, this could have happened to anyone! It's not your fault at all. I have heard many success stories with chameleons who have lost their tongues. I firmly believe that you are the perfect chameleon mom for Dexter right now. I know you will not stop trying until he is 100%. I know you will provide him with everything a tongue-less chameleon needs. You are the lady for the job, and Dexter is lucky to have you!

 

[laurie]

Lisa, this could have happened to anyone! It's not your fault at all. I have heard many success stories with chameleons who have lost their tongues. I firmly believe that you are the perfect chameleon mom for Dexter right now. I know you will not stop trying until he is 100%. I know you will provide him with everything a tongue-less chameleon needs. You are the lady for the job, and Dexter is lucky to have you!

This is completely true. I have had friends with chams that led a full normal life while missing a tongue. You can do it, just hang in there.

 

[teejayteej]

don't kick yourself so hard. you never in a million years would have done anything to hurt you boy. Accidents happen, they suck, but you will get through. I don't have the experience to help you with your baby but I know that there are many members on here that are more than willing to help you with their experience and advice. Hang in there and remember we are all here for you and help if we can.

 

[ChameleonMom]

Ahhhh thanks Travis, I appreciate your kind words. Poor guy has a bit of a long road ahead but I'm nothing if not dedicated to him (them all!) Just wish we could have a 'do over'.

 

[ChameleonMom]

Awe, thanks everyone! I think tomorrow things will be a bit more clear in my head. I know he'll get through and so will I....regret is such a nasty thing!

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[kinyonga]

So sorry to hear that your chameleon,don't has lost its tongue.

First of all I would try to feed him soft insects for a few days to let the tongue heal. He should be hungry enough to eat the insects from you if you put them in his mouth between its teeth when it's open. You don't want to shove the bug in his mouth without him biting it to kill it. I usually try to get the chameleon to drink and put the bug between its teeth when it's mouth opens as it drinks. I put a couple of crickets lolze in the cage and eventually it will learn that it has to chase them down because it's tongue won't shoot out.

Good luck!

 

[RangoStar]

A similar tongue feeding accident happened to my friend... Her chameleon is still alive after 3 years since the accident. Don't fret, this happens in the wild too, when they get a tongue stuck to a limb, leaf, branch, etc... Most will take upon the "grounded chameleon diet" as I call it, and act like their smaller cousins of chameleons, the ground foragers. He will probably need a water bowl, and a humidity system now, and to insect feed him, to bug juice him, or to put him in an enclosure where the insects are on the ground and he can pounce them. It isn't your fault, it could happen to any one of us cham owners, it just happened to be the thing his poor tongue got stuck on was your finger.

 

[carol5208]

There are members on here who have had chameleons lose their tongues. Hoj is one and Trd1215 has a beautiful chameleon(search his threads) he posted a few weeks back that lost his tongue. There have been a few others but they do not really post anymore so not even sure they still have chameleons. Anyways, I know that they can adapt and can actually learn to bite their food like a dog or cat. Ironically, you will probably have to hand feed but if you don't mind I think your chameleon can be ok. I am sorry this happened to you and I had the same thing happen with the tongue sticking on my finger and luckily it unstuck quickly and did not get damaged, but it freaked me out totally and my chameleon too. Atleast you tried to give your chameleon a fighting a chance to live, even if all does not go well. Like you said, a lot of people would have just given up and put it to sleep. I wish you and your little one all the best. Keep us updated.

 

[ChameleonMom]

So sorry to hear that your chameleon,don't has lost its tongue.

First of all I would try to feed him soft insects for a few days to let the tongue heal. He should be hungry enough to eat the insects from you if you put them in his mouth between its teeth when it's open. You don't want to shove the bug in his mouth without him biting it to kill it. I usually try to get the chameleon to drink and put the bug between its teeth when it's mouth opens as it drinks. I put a couple of crickets lolze in the cage and eventually it will learn that it has to chase them down because it's tongue won't shoot out.

Good luck!

Great, thanks so much! Question: as Dexters tongue was fully retracted when he bit down, the amputation was performed quite far back which means he will have little tissue there to 'work' the chewed food down his throat. Will he find a way to swallow without the food just sitting there choking him or will his food need to be liquified? Any suggestions on this?

 

[laurie]

There are members on here who have had chameleons lose their tongues. Hoj is one and Trd1215 has a beautiful chameleon(search his threads) he posted a few weeks back that lost his tongue. There have been a few others but they do not really post anymore so not even sure they still have chameleons. Anyways, I know that they can adapt and can actually learn to bite their food like a dog or cat. Ironically, you will probably have to hand feed but if you don't mind I think your chameleon can be ok. I am sorry this happened to you and I had the same thing happen with the tongue sticking on my finger and luckily it unstuck quickly and did not get damaged, but it freaked me out totally and my chameleon too. Atleast you tried to give your chameleon a fighting a chance to live, even if all does not go well. Like you said, a lot of people would have just given up and put it to sleep. I wish you and your little one all the best. Keep us updated.

I am in contact with Hoj. If you need any info about his cham just let me know and I can get him to talk with you. Camo was a wonderful, without a doubt he lived his life well.

 

[RangoStar]

He will still have the advanced "spring coil" muscle that allows him to shoot the tongue in the first place, they typically use this muscle for swallowing anyways, and he should adapt to learn to use it more, now with his tongue gone. Usually when an amputation occurs, they don't need to cut the coil muscle. But if they did, let us know.

 

[absolutbill]

Good luck! I don't have any experience with this, but the advice you've gotten seem to make a lot of sense. I can only imagine how upsetting it was to find the tongue on your finger no longer attached to your baby!!! I've got all the faith in the world that you and he will make it through this, and that as you and he adapt, he'll be just fine

 

[houseofchameleons]

Don't beat yourself up. It could have happened to anyone just one of those freak things. You are a wonderful chammy mom That is why we wanted you to have Dexter and we are so glad he has you. Let me know if I can send anything for his recovery. Give him a kiss from us

 

[ChameleonMom]

Thanks everyone for your kind words - I'm feeling a bit better today about all of this, done some research and feel like I know what to expect when I get him home now (going to pick him up within the hour!) I am very relieved to hear about the spring coil muscle and will talk to my vet about feeding techniques. I am grateful for the advice and will keep you updated. Thanks a bunch!

 

[jannb]

Lisa, I am sorry to hear about your little boy. Olimpia, here on the forums had a female veiled that had to have her tongue amputated and I'm sure she will be able to give you some helpful advise. I hope your little one makes a speedy recovery and will be cup feeding in no time.

 

[MelissaB]

I am so sorry that this happened. I'm sure you'll be able to help him learn how to adapt. Don't blame yourself, either. He could've done the same thing by hitting and sticking his tongue on something in his enclosure. At least this way you were right there to see what happened and help him right away. He's lucky to have you in his corner.

 

[NosyBe15]

man that really stinks that this happened... Thanks for posting it though, I hand feed my NosyBe super worms usually 2-3 times a week, 1 worm or 2 as treats.

I never knew anything like this could happen. Makes me really think if I should continue to hand feed him his superworms.

 

[pssh]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/pans-tongue-amputated-106981/

I had my old man veiled have to have his tongue amputated a few months back, the thread I created is linked above. Dont beat yourself up over it. All sorts of stuff happens, and it is often out of our control. Just be proud that you are willing to help him when a lot of people wouldn't.

My vet was also consistently trying to tell me that he didn't think Pan (my chameleon) would be able to learn to eat/drink without his tongue. I assured him that that would not be the case and that I would do everything in my power to help him. Pan is now doing absolutely perfectly and eats like a champ! I prefer to hand feed him because with harder bodied insects, if he doesnt quite get the right angle and at least half the bug in, it falls out (sometimes he gets a few loose hornworms/silkworms to try and perfect his "ground lizard" style of eating.) I bought some tongs with soft rubber tips just for this so he could bite them as much as he needed to until he got used to eating again (he never bites them now.) He likes to drink from drippers with a tube/syringes. Once or twice a week I attach a small 3/16" wide soft plastic catheter to a 10 ml syringe and hold the tube above his nose while I drip it, and most of the time he will immediately grab the catheter and let me slowly drip water into his mouth until he is satisfied. I do this for my own peace of mind (plus he seems to like it!) He normally drinks just fine on his own with a dripper.

I think with some hard work and patience your chameleon will end up doing all right. If you have any questions, you are welcomed to PM me (I may not be able to get back immediately though, but I will try my best! I remember all the worries and doubt I had.)


Edit: Sometimes he isnt able to chew the bugs all that well, so I will pre-kill them (crush their head) when I am in a hurry and dont have time to watch/make sure he chews them really well. Superworms seem to give the most trouble since they like the flail around and grab at stuff.

 

[ChameleonMom]

Jann, pssh, everybody - thank you for your advice and concern. It's nice to know there is info and advice from others who have lived through this problem and succeeded!

Dexter is home now and was SO happy to see me! He does have his retractor muscle although it looks bad right now, an inch long, bloody stump that he keeps pointing out of his mouth, like "WTF, Mom?" The vet sent me home with Metacam and carnivore care (I requested it - got a free bag!) but I don't think I'll use it unless it becomes drastic. After some research I have realized it has too much protein for a guy so young! Tomorrow I will mix up bug juice and see how that goes down instead. He's had an antibiotic injection and will get 1 drop of Metacam/day for a week.

He's always had a voracious appetite so I'm hoping that will carry over, especially after not eating for two days! Anyways, wish me luck!