Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's the best (easiest & least stressful) way to get a cham to open it's mouth for oral meds? I think mine has learned to keep his closed when I have an oral syringe/dropper near his cage!

Thanks!

Howie
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Digger)
1.2.0 Golden Geckos
1.1.0 Tokay Geckos (Stanley & Helen)
2.2.0 Leopard Geckos (Jack, Janet,Chrissy & Larry)
1.0.0 Ambilobe Panther Chameleon (Mr. Spock)

If your cham will gape when touched, you can try tapping him on the snout or the eyelid. You could try spraying him to start him drinking and drip the med onto his snout as he licks and swallows the water. Some chams are too tolerant to gape when you want them to, so you may have to open his mouth by hand. One way is by blocking his nostrils with 2 fingers on one hand gently and wait for him to open his mouth. The most stressful but sometimes necessary way is to hold his head with one hand and gently (!) pull down on his gular pouch area (throat pouch). When his mouth opens you can curl a finger over the gum until you get the med into it. Remember, the opening to the respiratory tract is under the tongue so make sure to drip the liquid down the back of his throat so he doesn't aspirate.