oxytocin or operation?

[smyth]

hey guys, well to cut a long story short my female cham is eggbound and ive been advised by my vet to have an operation this tuesday if she makes it that far that is, as she is still quite weak, im just wondering would you guys choose the operation or choose oxytocin to try and induce labour that way? ive taken on board what you said in my previous post kinyonga but im just wondering what every1 would do, cheers, Craig.

 

[ChromaChameleons]

How overdue? is she? How many days has she been gestating?

I would imagine the probability of her surviving the operation are slim. If she is way past due, then she may not be able to physically pass the eggs.

Have you tried oral doses of calcium???

 

[smyth]

im really not sure how overdue she is as she wasnt mated so i havent got a date to base it on. i would say she is quite overdue tho enuff to make her really poorly. yer thats my thoughts exactly i really dont think she would survive the operation at all. yer im givin her 0.1ml of liquid calcium thru a syringe a day and she had a calcium injection on thursday at the vets.

 

[ChromaChameleons]

If she is retaining her eggs , but they are still physically able to pass, then oxytocin is an option. If you go this route , be sure that your vet is available for a followup injection . Oxytocin can , and sometimes requires 2 doses within a few hours. Also needs to be administered in tandem with injected calcium.

If she is too weak or the eggs are oversized or she has fused eggs , then oxytocin may not be viable, but IMO, I would attempt inducing labour before surgery , if she can still pass those eggs....

 

[smyth]

cheers for that chroma, the problem is the vet i use is like a 40 minute drive away so i dont think i wud be able to do that unless i got a couple of injections at the same time? or is that not possible? i dont kno what to do cos the travelling is so stressfull for her and with her being so poorly it wudnt be good for her. im ringing round now to try n find a vet but cant find any1!!! arggghhhhh

 

[spencer k]

sounds like you might have to spend the whole day in/ near the vets office

 

[ChromaChameleons]

I know that some vets will give you a second dose of oxytocin to take home. They can prepare the syringe with the dosage , if they feel you can handle injecting your cham. Ask nicely . Your vet may agree to it.

 

[MWheelock]

I imagine the veterinarian has done radiographs or ultrasound?

When dealing with a reptile that is "eggbound", the veterinarian has to first determine if these are in fact eggs or follicles. Radiographs should show calcification of the shell. Ultrasound may show viable babies in the shells. These are the most definitive methods, though experienced chameleon owners can often decern by palpation.

Why is this important? Follicles are still on the ovary and will not be passed with oxytocin. In fact, contractions could cause the follicals to rupture and the chameleon dies of a septic event.

As far as eggs go, if you give oxytocin to a cham and it is not ready or has and obstructive dystocia, it could cause the eggs to rupture and the chameleon dies of a septic event.

Oxytocin may not always be the best alternative. If it doesn't work, and you decide to go to surgery, you have already stressed the chams body more making the surgery that much more risky.

It is possible that the vet has decided that spaying the cham while removing eggs or follicles may be the best choice so that this female will not have this problem again (providing the cham survives the surgery- which is also a risk).

 

[smyth]

thanks for the advice guys, well phoebe passed away at 4.40. im heart broken, she was a special girl i loved her so much i cant believe shes gone, i really did try my best to help her.

 

[chameleonneeds]

Sorry to hear about your loss, you did try very hard.
Being prepared to pay for the operation is not something I think many people would do.
You did the best to your abilities.

 

[ciafardo 4]

I know that some vets will give you a second dose of oxytocin to take home. They can prepare the syringe with the dosage , if they feel you can handle injecting your cham. Ask nicely . Your vet may agree to it.

i was gonna say that my vet has given me take home injections before best of luck smyth

 

[ciafardo 4]

sorry about your loss smyth i know it can be depressing to loose one of these guys but on the upside they make more of them every day i hopr you try again

 

[smyth]

thanks for the kind words guys, she was a big part of my life, i just cant stop cryin , my family must think im an idiot cryin over a cham but until uve owned one u wont understand, theyre special and she was extra special, never hissed at me once thats whats makin it even harder, and the fact she died so young i shud have had her for another 2 years!

 

[dodolah]

thanks for the kind words guys, she was a big part of my life, i just cant stop cryin , my family must think im an idiot cryin over a cham but until uve owned one u wont understand, theyre special and she was extra special, never hissed at me once thats whats makin it even harder, and the fact she died so young i shud have had her for another 2 years!

there's nothing wrong with crying over the loss of your pet.
I cried when I lost my dog (I was in college back then).

Sorry for your loss.

 

[kinyonga]

I'm so sorry that you lost your female. Its never easy losing one.
Lynda

 

[jannb]

I am so sorry to read that your little girl didn't make it. It is always hard to loose a friend. Jann

 

[bdjacobs95]

I truly am sorry for your loss. You did your best. I think you should get the "Best Owner Award". I know if I lost Fred or Ginger I would be devastated.

 

[smyth]

thankyou very much for the kind words every1

 

[beeze]

So sorry to hear she didn't make it.

 

[smyth]

thanks beeze