Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have several wild caught panthers which seem to be following a pattern. For the first few weeks, they seem fine...eating and drinking well, then they start eating less and less and that is followed by the same behaviour with drinking. I have tried liquid vitamins and pedialyte but it does not seem to change the pattern.

I have had them checked for parasites and all came back negative.

Any information will be appreciated.

chameleon gardens

I think you are seeing the residual effects of trauma catching up with them. Stress may be delayed in wc chams. The sickest and weakest don't survive to reach a new keeper, and the others often decline after a "honeymoon period". Often people think all is well because their "new" import is eating and drinking well. The cham is still in survival mode and overcoming the more immediate needs for hydration etc. Then as they begin to adapt to captive life all the other accumulated physical effects of capture and shipping start emerging and can overwhelm them. Use the best gutload you can, don't overdo the supplements, give lots of water, good UV light, and privacy and hope. They have been tested and treated for parasites correct? Often have to re-test and retreat 2-3 times. About the best gutload known is posted on http://www.adcham.com

I had a fecal done a few weeks ago which came back negative..so I have not treated them for parasites. I do have the panacur and another med (I can't remember the name) but do not have a proper dosage. How do you administer meds for paraites?

Toni

Carlton,

Did you receive my earlier message..I am not sure that I am doing this properly.

Toni

Sorry for the delayed response. My internet server was down for a few days! Sometimes one fecal exam for parasites will be a false negative, but chances are any massive populations of anything would show up. Don't expect to completely eliminate all parasites, as most prey insects carry some anyway. The main concern would be for very large populations that add stress to a cham when it is dealing with other health problems. As for dosing panacur and other drugs there are guidelines in several cham books (which I don't have in front of me of course). There are several vet articles on these sites that might give you doses, but it also depends on what form of the drugs you have. Check out:

http://www.adcham.com
http://www.chameleonnews.com
http://www.chameleonjournals.com
http://www.geocities.com/ccicenter