Forcefeeding a sick panther???

[David]

My male panther of about a year old is not eating, seems to be partially blind and is a little undersized from his twin brother. Now his brother has grown up in the exact same conditions and was fine and healthy, but now he's having similar eye issues and is not eating.

And I have two other Ambilobe BB Panthers (a male and female) also that are fine and healthy. The smaller one with the problem has been handicapped since he was maybe 4 months since when I received him, and slowly has become worse.

Explained in further detail: https://www.chameleonforums.com/bb-panther-eyes-not-eating-reptaid-vet-68710/

I am now having to force feed these two daily so that they are getting food and vitimans. I came across this info on Reptaid's site on how to open their mouths, but it's very stressful on them. There's also the flap under the chin and when pulled enough it will force them to open up, but I am sure that this is equally stressful.

Have you ever had to forcefeed your cham? And if so, how do you recommend doing it?

 

[Olimpia]

The one I like the most is taking your index and thumb and putting them gently on each cheek from behind. This will make them gape and you can sneak a bug in there. This way you're not holding them down, you're not pulling on anything, or anything like that, it's a quick touch and then sneaking a bug in their mouth.

 

[sandrachameleon]

covering both nostrils firmly but not harshly will eventually cause mouth to open. Holding pinch style (again firm but not hard) behind head usually annoys sufficiently for gaping.

You may find this thread useful:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-best-force-feed-32372/
and this blog entry too:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...s-day-required-maintain-chameleon-weight.html

 

[panther67]

I have an ambilobe that has had tongue problems since he was very young. I put him in his favorite plant in the shower and as he is drinking I can put a feeder up to his mouth and he will chomp them down. I do this every other day with no problems. Hope this helps!!

 

[SilverDragoness]

If you rub between the nostrils sometimes they will gape maybe if you hold a feeder in one hand and rub with the other? My guess it would be kind of difficult sort of like rubbing your tummy and patting your head. Good luck.

 

[kinyonga]

It would be less stressful IMHO for the chameleon if you could get it to drink and while its mouth is opening/shutting stick the insect between its teeth so it has to bite it.

 

[millerman6401]

i had to force feed my ambilobe, i just did as posted above and held his nostrils shut. he kept his mouth open for a while so i had enough time to grab a cricket and place it by his mouth. after he got the idea he started just grabbing them from my hand by himself but without using his tounge

 

[Benton1576]

Im having the same problem with a female nosy faly who recently laid a clutch of 19 eggs. At the moment she just spits food out if i try to put it in there so im crushing crix into a past, mixing a little vitamin powder and water and using a syringe to give it to her. Kinda like a cricket smoothie! lol. seems to be working but its been over 4 weeks now so im starting to get a bit concerned as she has lost tons of weight.

 

[Hoj]

i had to force feed my ambilobe, i just did as posted above and held his nostrils shut. he kept his mouth open for a while so i had enough time to grab a cricket and place it by his mouth. after he got the idea he started just grabbing them from my hand by himself but without using his tounge

my veiled has no tounge and i have fed him like this for over a year, like you say they figure it out and open thier mouth willingly and just take the crickets, abit of work but there isnt much i woulndt do for my chams

 

[millerman6401]

the vet gave me some carnivore care aslo. it can be used in place of food if the cham will not eat anything. im not sure how long is okay to use only this stuff without real food tho.

 

[sandrachameleon]

the vet gave me some carnivore care aslo. it can be used in place of food if the cham will not eat anything. im not sure how long is okay to use only this stuff without real food tho.

Carnivore Care isnt good for insect eaters

 

[David]

Thanks guys 'n gals. I'll try some of the techniques you've recommended.


.

 

[sandrachameleon]

It would be less stressful IMHO for the chameleon if you could get it to drink and while its mouth is opening/shutting stick the insect between its teeth so it has to bite it.

good point!

 

[steelheadchaser]

Carnivore Care isnt good for insect eaters

Is there a citation for this? The only reason I ever see being posted is that the protein level of CC is too high, yet insects typically have a high protein value.

My panther slowed down it's feeding about 14 months ago and refused food altogether about 11 months ago. He has grown and gained weight being gavaged using Carnivore Care nearly exclusively. While far from being the most desirable state of affairs, he is robust and otherwise healthy.

This wasn't a course of treatment I decided upon on my own, but has been instituted under the care and supervision of my chameleon's Vet.

Some have previously suggested that my Vet doesn't have experience with chameleons, however this is far from accurate. He is a member of the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society and has been certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) specializing in Reptile and Amphibian Practice. He is now one of only 8 such credentialed veterinarians in the world, and the only ABVP Reptile and Amphibian specialist north of California.