SharpShooter
Avid Member
You are going to be very popular around here!
Possible obstruction? Male panther chameleon near bottom of enclosure, looks to be sleeping, no stress colors
- Thread starter ldarmo
- Start date
Herberaitor
Member
Hope everything goes well! Make sure to take care of bite with triple antibiotic. You mentioned that your guy has hookworm, reptiles can carry other forms of organisms in their mouth that can lead to infections.
ldarmo
Established Member
Thank you so much for that useful advice! I may be hitting you up. I'm much less worried about him biting me than him hurting himself. But whatever keeps him safest is my priority.
ldarmo
Established Member
Thank you, Clayton. The vet called this morning and said he got through the night fine, but hasn't passed a significant stool. He took his syringe feeding and medications well (because he gapes adn you can just squirt it to the back of his throat). I'm going to get him in a couple hours and will update once I am back with him.
ldarmo
Established Member
KARMA UPDATE:
Karma came home last night, and seems much better!
I picked him up at the vet and they gave him his evening meds by syringe - meloxicam and slippery elm extract. He's already had one, and will be getting three more doses of fenbendazole, every two weeks (first was May 6). Karma was noted for his feisty attitude; he was gaping at the vet tech, which turned out to be convenient; he swallowed two silk worms she dropped in his mouth. When I got him home, I took him outside for some sun and fresh air (first picture). He got a couple more silkworms. (I was advised to give him only soft foods for a few days - in case he stops taking insects, they also sent me home with "Oxbow Carnivore Care" formulation.) Karma spent the night in his carrier, then I brought him to work this morning and put him back in his enclosure. I thought familiar surroundings would help with reducing stress. He took his slippery elm bark extract well this morning, as well as a couple silkworms dropped in his mouth. He is drinking willingly from a pipet. I'm about to give him his second dose of slippery elm (3x per day for the next few days), and may try another silkworm or two. Also, he pooped! It was very liquidy, but he hasn't had anything but silkworms since Monday afternoon. I put some soft cricket nymphs in his feeder, but he isn't interested in eating on his own at this time.
I sent the vet the video of him pushing out this large, very loose stool (and hemipenal castings), they said it is normal. I'm not sure if I can post a video, I couldn't figure it out, but here is a picture of him after pooping - seems okay. X-rays showed an obstruction, but it didn't appear so bad that it required surgery. It didn't look like soil causing an impaction to the vets, so maybe I need to just spread out the feedings, feed more soft-bodied thing?
In the pictures, especially the one above, you can see dark bruising (?) behind his head. Karma had to be restrained for examination, x-rays, blood work, medication, feeding, and enema. I'm assuming he bruised from having to be restrained. Can I assume the bruises will heal without issues?
Thanks so much to everyone for your interest and advice. I'm really enjoying this chameleon, and hope he will recover completely. I'll continue updating. And I won't hesitate to ask for help. I really appreciate the knowledge and willingness to share in this community. -- Lisa
Karma came home last night, and seems much better!
I picked him up at the vet and they gave him his evening meds by syringe - meloxicam and slippery elm extract. He's already had one, and will be getting three more doses of fenbendazole, every two weeks (first was May 6). Karma was noted for his feisty attitude; he was gaping at the vet tech, which turned out to be convenient; he swallowed two silk worms she dropped in his mouth. When I got him home, I took him outside for some sun and fresh air (first picture). He got a couple more silkworms. (I was advised to give him only soft foods for a few days - in case he stops taking insects, they also sent me home with "Oxbow Carnivore Care" formulation.) Karma spent the night in his carrier, then I brought him to work this morning and put him back in his enclosure. I thought familiar surroundings would help with reducing stress. He took his slippery elm bark extract well this morning, as well as a couple silkworms dropped in his mouth. He is drinking willingly from a pipet. I'm about to give him his second dose of slippery elm (3x per day for the next few days), and may try another silkworm or two. Also, he pooped! It was very liquidy, but he hasn't had anything but silkworms since Monday afternoon. I put some soft cricket nymphs in his feeder, but he isn't interested in eating on his own at this time.
I sent the vet the video of him pushing out this large, very loose stool (and hemipenal castings), they said it is normal. I'm not sure if I can post a video, I couldn't figure it out, but here is a picture of him after pooping - seems okay. X-rays showed an obstruction, but it didn't appear so bad that it required surgery. It didn't look like soil causing an impaction to the vets, so maybe I need to just spread out the feedings, feed more soft-bodied thing?
In the pictures, especially the one above, you can see dark bruising (?) behind his head. Karma had to be restrained for examination, x-rays, blood work, medication, feeding, and enema. I'm assuming he bruised from having to be restrained. Can I assume the bruises will heal without issues?
Thanks so much to everyone for your interest and advice. I'm really enjoying this chameleon, and hope he will recover completely. I'll continue updating. And I won't hesitate to ask for help. I really appreciate the knowledge and willingness to share in this community. -- Lisa
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ldarmo
Established Member
OK, so this is weird. I found something on the bottom of the cage. It looks like a hemipene. I don't know what a hemipenile cast looks like. This is pale and spongy and about an inch long. I need help! Is it possible that when the vet was attempting an enema, that she damaged the hemipene so badly it came off? Or am I panicking for no reason? @Little_Miss_Mo @Brodybreaux25 @Matt Vanilla Gorilla help! See pictures posted in the comment below.
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ldarmo
Established Member
WTF is this? Pooped out, with much straining. Please tell me it is not a damaged/amputated hemipene??!! If so, what do I do??? @frankpayne32
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SharpShooter
Avid Member
Sperm plug?
Matt Vanilla Gorilla
Chameleon Enthusiast
Do you have a hibiscus plant in your cage?
SharpShooter
Avid Member
Bob's are usually lighter colour and split (like wishbone). This looks to be one piece rather than split.
HOWEVER get opinion from folk that know more than me.
ldarmo
Established Member
Matt, I don't have a hibiscus. And I'm pretty sure I saw this happening. I can text you the video if you like.
ldarmo
Established Member
Apparently I have two of them! Found another just now. I emailed a video and pictures to the vet, waiting for them to get back to me.
Matt Vanilla Gorilla
Chameleon Enthusiast
Looks a lot like a hibiscus flower bud. Yes please, I would appreciate it. (530)917-0299
ldarmo
Established Member
Just was contacted by the vet office, they say its normal and nothing to worry about. I hope that's correct! Here's some information I found online. http://www.anapsid.org/seminalplugs.html
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ldarmo
Established Member
Matt, they do look like the pistil of a hibiscus, but I don't have hibiscus plants in the vivarium. I guess they were sperm plugs after all!
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
Wayyyyyy to big for a plug.. me too please 9857226221
ldarmo
Established Member
Oh crap, sending your way
ldarmo
Established Member
Did you get video?
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes
