Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was given a male panther that, through a series of accidents, was allowed to starve. As I understand it, he just quit eating one day and the owner didn't do anything about it. I've had him for over a month, and I've hand fed him baby food and crickets every day. He's gained weight, and now he looks healthy. But he still won't eat unless he's hand fed. Any ideas? Will he always need hand-feeding?

Also, when I received him he was emaciated. But he has a sort of soft pad that extends from his vent down his tail and is about 3/4 inch long. At first I thought it was the last of his fat reserves, but no picture of any cham I've seen shows a "fatty pad" on its tail. Does anyone know what it is? Thank you

Do you have a picture? Is it under his tail,could it be his hemi-penil bulges?

Well, I'm not very familiar with cham anatomy, but I don't think this bulge is part of his reproductive system. He's got those other bulges. This bulge is about 3/4 inch long, and extends from his vent down his tail. It looks like a mass, or some kind of internal blockage. (Sort of like a balloon as it starts to get streched with air.) It has clear borders and covers both sides and the underside of his tail. I don't have a picture, but I've never seen anything like it on other chams or in pictures. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow and I was hoping somebody might have a suggestion.

What is your opinion about hand-feeding? My guy eats very well, but only if his food is offered by hand. He won't hunt

Well,you did a good job saving him and getting him to eat....so until he's fattened up,let him have it his way.Who knows what the starvation did to him....maybe his tongue does not extend,maybe his eyesight isn't great.Keep his food supplemented as well....is your vet a reptile vet? If not,you could waste your money if HE [ or she ]doesn't know chameleon anatomy either.