Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 2 year old Ambanja cham has had his conjunctiva inflamed for a few days now. I have been putting a topical ointment (Vetropolycin - contains bacitracin, neomycin and polymyxin) in his eyes and it seems to soothe them. I also took him to my "normal" vet (couldn't get in to see the herp vet) who looked up the correct dosage of Baytril for injection. We injected him subcu in the side of the base of his tail. "Oberon" has a huge cage, well planted and eats lobster roaches, crix, wax and superworms. He has UV lighting and and plenty of warmth and moisture. I use icecubes in a drip cup and mist him 3 or more times a day. His appetite goes up and down, he may be eating plenty but I am not watching him 24/7. However, he has not taken food from my hand in a couple of days. I have even showered him (which he hates).

Is there anything else I can do before I can get in to see the herp vet?

Marilyn

The Baytril and the extra handling may be putting his appetite off. An otherwise healthy adult cham can easily go a week without eating much. I would not worry too much or try force feeding unless he is really loosing weight or not eating for longer than that. It will just add to his stress. If he's drinking, that's important as the Baytril is hard on kidneys. Give him as much water as he'll drink, and if you can get him drinking you could drip some Pedialyte on his nose so it runs into his mouth to give him electrolytes.

Marilyn,

It looks like you've taken all the necessary steps to ensure that the animal remains as comfortable as possible until a qualified veterinarian can assist you. What procedures were done prior to medicating, to come to the conclusion that the animal has, in fact, bacterial conjunctivitis (bacterial culture, etc...)?

Do you have any clues as to how this could have happened? Inflamation of the conjunctiva can not only be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It could also be the result of an irritant (chemical, etc). Have you introduced anything new to the enclosure or done anything different recently? I would not advise in favor of administering medication without the supervision of a qualified reptile veterinarian, preferably one with experience in chameleons.

Hope it all works out.

Regards,

Fabian

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Fabián Aguirre
Zookeeper/ Freshwater Aquarist
Department of Herpetology and Freshwater Biology
The Dallas World Aquarium
(214) 720-2224
fabian@dwazoo.com
www.dwazoo.com

AHHHHHHHHH hes a real cutie Fabian, they sure are adorable at this tiny stage,

What all are you breeding now?
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PHEve/ Eve

Contact PHEve

Hi Eve,

I thought you had seen this little guy before... I think I showed you a while ago. I do not currently keep any Brookesiinae, but I would like to do so once again in the future. I'm not attempting to breed anything at the moment (I have enough breeding going on at work!), but rather focus on establishing a stable group of Mt. Meru Jackson's. Obviously, I still have some Crotaphytus at home, and any breeding that "I do" is rather spontaneous.

Anyway, take care... and congratulations on your neonate C. collaris!

Fabian
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Fabián Aguirre
Zookeeper/ Freshwater Aquarist
Department of Herpetology and Freshwater Biology
The Dallas World Aquarium
(214) 720-2224
fabian@dwazoo.com
www.dwazoo.com

Thank you, Carlton and Fabian. No culture was done but I just treated the symptoms. Actually, Oberon is better and has both eyes open now. I watched him eat a couple of caterpillars (Catalpa worms) and start eyeing some crix. Doc said the injections should be at five day intervals. If he is so much better should I still continue with a couple of more shots? I know for humans we have to take a whole course of them or risk a secondary infection. Nothing new was introduced to his enclosure or done any differently. He is getting plenty of water, he doesn't drink from leaves but when he sees the sprayer he'll come over and drink from it. Oh, and he is pooping just fine, also, he is rarely ever handled.

Marilyn

>>Marilyn,
>>
>>It looks like you've taken all the necessary steps to ensure that the animal remains as comfortable as possible until a qualified veterinarian can assist you. What procedures were done prior to medicating, to come to the conclusion that the animal has, in fact, bacterial conjunctivitis (bacterial culture, etc...)?
>>
>>Do you have any clues as to how this could have happened? Inflamation of the conjunctiva can not only be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It could also be the result of an irritant (chemical, etc). Have you introduced anything new to the enclosure or done anything different recently? I would not advise in favor of administering medication without the supervision of a qualified reptile veterinarian, preferably one with experience in chameleons.
>>
>>Hope it all works out.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>Fabian
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Fabián Aguirre
>>Zookeeper/ Freshwater Aquarist
>>Department of Herpetology and Freshwater Biology
>>The Dallas World Aquarium
>>(214) 720-2224
>>fabian@dwazoo.com
>>www.dwazoo.com