Need advice! Veiled with eyelid growths
- Thread starter Phillips
- Start date
Kate
Avid Member
Phillips
New Member
Well the vet is sure its a tumor, but whether its cancerous or infectious, he is not sure. He took some pictures and sent them to reptile specialists to see if they know for sure what it is. And apparently she had the lumps before going in the tank with frogs and geckos. Should hear back soon about what we are going to do.
Phillips
New Member
So a biopsy has been done, the "tumors" were sent off to reptile specialists as well as to a lab for results. Should be a couple weeks before we hear from that. The vet also did a culture and called today reporting a bacteria infection so we will be picking up some antibiotics soon. She can now see out one eye really well, the other is still closed up. She is eating well and drinking plenty. Will follow up when we hear back from the lab.
Elizadolots
New Member
Sounds like things might be moving in the right direction. You're doing very well by her. I look forward to the next report.
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
If you can get her to gape at you, you can place a cricket (or whatever) into her mouth and she'll most likely automatically chomp it and then eat it. well gutloaded large silkworms would help keep your fingers distant while providing nutrition and some hydration. You could also consider injecting water into feeders like roaches, to help with hydration.
If she is not easily annoyed, Sometimes holding firmly with thumb and forefinger behind the head will cause gaping.
Be careful of your fingers! Some may suggest using tweezers, but I personally think its better to potentially get a pinched finger than to risk the cham chomping onto a hard metal tweezer.
What was the final diagnosis?
If she is not easily annoyed, Sometimes holding firmly with thumb and forefinger behind the head will cause gaping.
Be careful of your fingers! Some may suggest using tweezers, but I personally think its better to potentially get a pinched finger than to risk the cham chomping onto a hard metal tweezer.
What was the final diagnosis?
Phillips
New Member
Nothing final yet. Still waiting on lab results. She doesn't gape at me ever; well she did once but that was it. I have been using a credit card and gently opening her mouth to give her the antibiotics, so decided to use the same technique and after opening the mouth I take a cricket and as I start removing the card I put cricket between her teeth. She ate three that way tonight. I guess this will work till that scab goes away.
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
yes, that sounds like it works, just be careful not to harm the skin of the mouth
and of course I know you are careful.she's lucky you're doing everything you can for her
hope it all works out
Elizadolots
New Member
Yes, Phillips, you are being such an amazing chameleon owner. I really have to bow to you.
Phillips
New Member
Bad news y'all, vet found out the results today. They found squamous cell carcinoma which is a form of cancer. He is consulting with reptile specialists to find out if there is any treatment they recommend. Unfortunately it is something that is treatable but not completely curable. The only thing we would be doing is keeping it at bay. I will follow with what ends up happening.
And thanks for all the possitive comments about how well I am doing! Makes me feel better that I did all I could.
And thanks for all the possitive comments about how well I am doing! Makes me feel better that I did all I could.
Wow, how interesting! Certainly not the news you were hoping for I know, but I'm so glad that you sent off the biopsies so you know what it actually is. Thanks so much for updating us. Chemo is very rare in reptiles and we don't know much yet about what may or may not work. Luckily cancer is fairly rare in reptiles. Please let us know if there's anything they suggest for the SCC, and in the meantime keep up the good work with her!
Phillips
New Member
I also have another question pertaining to the nutrition for chameleons. If I am gut-loading crickets (as in that is the only food crickets get), is that enough for the chameleon? Or should I include dusting a few times a month? We still have not heard what the vet wants to do, he is still consulting with reptile specialists.
Thezillaman21
Avid Member
first off your doing really good for this cham. next off she needs calcium power on her food items. she should get calcium without d3 every feeding, calcium with d3 1-2times a month, and every week or two some good vitamins. your pet store should have all of these.
someone else want to confirm my supplements please? im not a vieled chameleon guy and i only know what i have read..
good luck Phillips
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