Hey everyone, thank you for all the help with my previous post. I have taken him to the vet just to make sure everything is fine. Out of all the concerns I brought up he said the only one to keep an eye out for was my chameleon not shooting his tongue very far. he gave Archie a calcium shot and a antibiotic shot. They asked that we come back every three days for the next week or so for the other antibiotic shots, but after that first vet visit, obviously my chameleon is stressed from the experience and I’m not sure if I wanna take him back again. The shots were only precautionary as the vet mentioned there was no visible concerns. I’m in the midst of updating his cage more getting a humidifier exchanging the other fake plants for real plants gut loading my bugs, etc. Would you guys recommend I continue taking them in for the other shots or would you say to just focus on my husband and take him back if there is a visible concern? I don’t wanna stress out more if I don’t have to and i genuinely trust this forum the most. Advice anyone?
Vet visits?
- Thread starter Mayybbee
- Start date
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
I’m not sure if I’m at the top of my game atm, so am going to be cautious in replying. Also, I can’t recall all of your concerns and not able to look back and reread your other post. I think it was poor or picky appetite along with the tongue not shooting out well? Did the vet get any blood work? Was there anything that led the vet to think that there might be an infection? Where is the possible infection suspected to be? The concern I would have is the potential effect the antibiotic may have on the kidneys. If it is needed, then the risk is justified. To not continue with the full course has different potential risks. If there is an infection, obviously it not only won’t be treated, but it might develop a resistance to that antibiotic. I know this is of little help and hopefully someone else can offer a real opinion. @kinyonga @jannb @jamest0o0
Have you had a fecal parasite check done? That is always a good idea. For the tongue, I wonder if your guy maybe overextended or pulled a muscle or had some other trauma. If the tongue gets stuck and for whatever reason isn’t allowed to super rapidly retract as is usual, it can cause injury. In mild cases just a period of rest is enough and the tongue heals. In more severe cases, the tongue is permanently damaged and needs amputation. *this is why we never use tongs or anything to grip feeders. Sometimes certain feeders (hornworms and superworms) will bite back and cause an injury to the tongue or mouth. While your guy isn’t even close to being old, my oldest has been mouth grabbing her food for the last year or two.
Have you had a fecal parasite check done? That is always a good idea. For the tongue, I wonder if your guy maybe overextended or pulled a muscle or had some other trauma. If the tongue gets stuck and for whatever reason isn’t allowed to super rapidly retract as is usual, it can cause injury. In mild cases just a period of rest is enough and the tongue heals. In more severe cases, the tongue is permanently damaged and needs amputation. *this is why we never use tongs or anything to grip feeders. Sometimes certain feeders (hornworms and superworms) will bite back and cause an injury to the tongue or mouth. While your guy isn’t even close to being old, my oldest has been mouth grabbing her food for the last year or two.
no blood work, he gave me a container for a fecal test so ill bring that back. He is wild caught, so there could have been a tongue injury prior to me getting him. He did just finally eat today so thats a plus. But again not shooting far, if its too far hell wait for me to bring it closer or he gets closer. I only use the tongs to place the bugs in the cage/bowl, ive heard not to tong feed. Below is a picture of how far he usually shoots his tongue, hes eating and drinking so thats a plus i think
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
I didn’t realize/recall that he was wc and it is possible that may be the most he can ever shoot his tongue…maybe an unknown past injury. I have a wc veiled who has a very similar tongue range, but I suspect my guy is on the old side. Definitely a parasite check for wc, and I would advise having it repeated even if it’s clear. Often times you can get a false negative if the parasite isn’t shedding its stuff in the poo.
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Well, being wild caught it’s unknown if he had any tongue injury in the past and if he had, obviously it wouldn’t have received treatment or much of a rest, since it’s eat or die. My only experience with a wc is my veiled guy and he came to me in poor condition. All I can say is keep doing what you’re doing and get/keep him in the best health you can. His tongue may improve or not. The only real thing to do about it (that I’m aware of with my limited knowledge) is good husbandry. Sorry I lack better answers.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
I wouldn’t have anymore to add than what @MissSkittles already mentioned. I’d be iffy about antibiotics given without a specific purpose. Seems like a way for vets to make more $, while also possibly causing unnecessary kidney damage. That said, with WC maybe protocol is a little different and it is advised? Maybe someone here that has worked a lot with WC could offer some input on that.
Would be greatly appreciated if some who is knowledgeable in wc could help. I think i should redo his cage as well. Its nice for a first time cage, but after reading and watching videos, it could have been done better, hopefully this helps
