What age are chameleons sold at?

[Klyde O'Scope]

When we get a new puppy or kitten, we tend to take them to the vet not just for shots, but also for fecal and general wellness checks. Why do we think reptiles are any less important and not do this?

Often (not always) because people may pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a puppy or kitten, but less than the cost of a wellness check (usually over $100) for some reptiles.

It's the same kind of thinking we see with reptiles that are improperly housed, lit, etc. Some people aren't prepared for—or willing to pay—several times the value of an animal to care for it properly. Usually, it's the people who obtain an animal on impulse rather than looking into costs & other responsibilities before getting in too deep. Sad but true, and persistent.

Animals are seen as commodities by some, and inexpensive exotics are often seen as "throw-aways" (all the flushed baby turtles, goldfish, green anoles, etc.)

 

[jamest0o0]

I think a fecal is great, but I personally avoid wellness visits unless I have a concern. To me it's added stress for things I can check out myself without a vet. JMO... A puppy or kitten will handle that stress much better than a reptile.

 

[Pickle-cham]

I think a fecal is great, but I personally avoid wellness visits unless I have a concern. To me it's added stress for things I can check out myself without a vet. JMO... A puppy or kitten will handle that stress much better than a reptile.

What magnification would be needed to do a fecal? With a microscope
What does vet/lab test other than checking for wormie parasites liver function? I would be in same line of thought on taking to vets is a risk in itself and no doubt highly stressful.
Can you get these tests with just the sample so to speak? Not take animal out of its comfort, day cycle.

 

[jannb]

I've never heard of a store or breeder doing fecal exams in-house (not that some may not—I just haven't heard of it), and not sure if I'd trust anyone but a herp vet to do one for a reptile—just for my own peace of mind.

I just had one done by my herp vet; cost was $34. He (the lizard) was clean.

My husband does fecals on are babies. We have our on microscope and my vet came to our house to show us how to do fecals. Our microscopy allows you to make pictures and videos of what you see so if we ever see anything we are not sure about we can email it to our vet for his diagnosis. We have been doing our own fecals for about 10 years now.

 

[jamest0o0]

What magnification would be needed to do a fecal? With a microscope
What does vet/lab test other than checking for wormie parasites liver function? I would be in same line of thought on taking to vets is a risk in itself and no doubt highly stressful.
Can you get these tests with just the sample so to speak? Not take animal out of its comfort, day cycle.

Microscope questions I'm lost on lol, @JacksJill could tell ya. As far as seeing the vet, most will do any fecal and let you know the results, but if the animal turns out to have parasites they usually want to see it beforehand. At least for the first visit.

 

[Pickle-cham]

Read some reference forgot source to do random 10 spot test for lifeorms.
X25 enough? Or higher Janbb

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Can you get these tests with just the sample so to speak? Not take animal out of its comfort, day cycle.

Yes. I just dropped off the (fresh) sample at the vets in a sandwich bag. The current protocol here is call to tell them you're coming, and what for, and call again when you're in the parking lot (excuse me... car park ? ) and a tech comes out to pick up the sample. Results are given by phone or email—usually within 24 hrs.

IDK the microscope specifics, and TMK, liver function isn't a part of it. I think that requires a blood test, which you would have to bring the lizard in for.

A vet visit may be stressful during the exam (heck, I don't like it either) but going to & from not so much. I put them in a dark box, and they fall asleep both ways.

 

[Pickle-cham]

Yes. I just dropped off the (fresh) sample at the vets in a sandwich bag. The current protocol here is call to tell them you're coming, and what for, and call again when you're in the parking lot (excuse me... car park ? ) and a tech comes out to pick up the sample. Results are given by phone or email—usually within 24 hrs.

IDK the microscope specifics, and TMK, liver function isn't a part of it. I think that requires a blood test, which you would have to bring the lizard in for.

A vet visit may be stressful during the exam (heck, I don't like it either) but going to & from not so much. I put them in a dark box, and they fall asleep both ways.

Thanks obviously if ever there was a reason to take to the vets i will be going through that. but glad things like this can be done without taking animal to the vet?

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

fecal exam magnification
It appears from what I just read that they start around 40X and progress up to 400-500X.

Fecal Examination for Parasites - Northwest Veterinary Clinic
seemed particularly informative—looks like a vet school presentation

 

[jannb]

What magnification would be needed to do a fecal? With a microscope
What does vet/lab test other than checking for wormie parasites liver function? I would be in same line of thought on taking to vets is a risk in itself and no doubt highly stressful.
Can you get these tests with just the sample so to speak? Not take animal out of its comfort, day cycle.

We are in the car riding and delivering babies so my husband doesn’t remember numbers but you use lower magnfacication, he believes it’s 4x. Then if he sees something he goes to the 10x.

If you have a good relationship with your vet, they might do a fecal for you without bringing your animal in but if they have a parasite it is against the law for any vet to perscribe meds if they have not seen your animal within the past 12 months and if the vet is caught they could lose their medical license.

A good vet that really knows chameleons can sometimes see things going on that you haven’t even noticed yet. Bloodwork and an X-ray are important part of a check up. My vet has found, cataracts, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and signs of an upcoming stroke. Even more with a female.

This is very helpful when buying a microscope and doing your own fecals.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-do-a-fecal-float-video.111996/

 

[Pickle-cham]

Interesting read thank you, jusy checked my scope it maxes out at x40, can get image on to phone though, the really it a national geographic one. bad bug coccidia one looks tiny to detect.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

If you have a good relationship with your vet, they might do a fecal for you without bringing your animal in but if they have a parasite it is against the law for any vet to perscribe meds if they have not seen your animal within the past 12 months and if the vet is caught they could lose their medical license.

Is that federal or state? My vet hasn't seen my lizard, and while he recommended a wellness check, no law was ever mentioned. (I'm not in FL). Never mentioned by any of the other vets I know either.
I believe Pickle-cham is across the pond.

If I'd had any concerns, I wouldn't have any problem bringing Ol' Stinkeye in for an exam, but aside from a brief parasite concern (he's clean), he's fine.

 

[jannb]

Is that federal or state? My vet hasn't seen my lizard, and while he recommended a wellness check, no law was ever mentioned. (I'm not in FL). Never mentioned by any of the other vets I know either.
I believe Pickle-cham is across the pond.

If I'd had any concerns, I wouldn't have any problem bringing Ol' Stinkeye in for an exam, but aside from a brief parasite concern (he's clean), he's fine.

Let me ask my vets. I’ve had mostly vets in FL but we just moved and my new vet here in SC just told me the same think when my girl just ran out of eye drops. I believe it’s also true in human doctors.

 

[BenjiTheCham]

Yeah I found their website and it says “sub adult males”.. I’m not quite sure what that means, but I’d hope it be above 3 months.

Edit: oh I didn’t even notice that this thread has turned into talking about parasites lol

 

[jannb]

Yeah I found their website and it says “sub adult males”.. I’m not quite sure what that means, but I’d hope it be above 3 months.

Edit: oh I didn’t even notice that this thread has turned into talking about parasites lol

At least you will know the importance of vet visits and fecals!

 

[BenjiTheCham]

At least you will know the importance of vet visits and fecals!

Yeah lol. That was something I haven’t even thought about much. It actually did help a lot

 

[jamest0o0]

You'll notice, us chamforum members tend to go off on tangents quite often

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Edit: oh I didn’t even notice that this thread has turned into talking about parasites lol

Thread drift. Sorry about that. Hope you got an acceptable answer to your OP.
I think you did, cuz I learned something from it too, but please speak up if not.

 

[BenjiTheCham]

Thread drift. Sorry about that. Hope you got an acceptable answer to your OP.
I think you did, cuz I learned something from it too, but please speak up if not.

Oh yeah I definitely did and learned a ton as well

 

[BenjiTheCham]

You'll notice, us chamforum members tend to go off on tangents quite often

Yeah I noticed lol. But it actually helps because I probably wouldn’t have thought about any parasite stuff, even though I’ve heard about it, I never thoroughly looked into it