Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I just "inherited" this veiled chameleon because it has not been properly defecating. It appears to have not a prolapsed but a swollen (or perhaps naturally enlarged) hemipenes. I have not been able to figure this out and I am taking him to the vet in 2 days, but I wanted to see if anyone is able to help me try and fix it without me having to pay. The people I got him from said he had been given warm bathes, thinking that it might have been compaction, but I am convinced it is the hemipenes as it is past the vent. He is currently about 5 possibly 6 inches long, still very young.Is there anyone who has encountered something like this or that would be able to give me more information?? Thanks.

Here's a site that talks about it. If the tissue is still "pink" like it is in the first picture, then it might be able to be saved. If it has gone dark/necrotic, then it will have to be amputated. They are only copulatory organs so the chameleon can live without them...but, of course won't be able to reproduce.
http://adcham.com/html/veterinary/vet-hemipenal-pare.html

H.

Thats not the problem, as I stated its not a prolapse. It quite literally has an enlarged or swollen hemipenes INSIDE. None of the hemipenes are physically shown, but they are swollen INSIDE the chameleon. I have found no article or post relating to what I've described unfortunately

Sorry..I didn't realize that you meant it was inside. I have never seen the hemipene swell while remaining inside. I have no idea what to do with that.

Good luck with the poor chameleon.

Any news about your chameleon?