Chief's first vet visit is tomorrow...

[xraygirl]

So I've found a vet in the area (that actually speaks to you like a person that adores their animal) that will treat reptiles, and chameleons (the vet apparently loves them to pieces). I guess I'm nervous cause I've only had turtles for reptiles, but I've never taken a reptile to the vet. I'm taking him in cause he needs a general check up (fecal and xrays), and to check out his gular edema that he's had since I found him at repticon.

I'm nervous because I don't know what to expect, especially his reaction... how she will handle him... If other people will taunt him to 'make him change colors' like I've read nightmares of before from other folks on here. I have been trying to work with his trust on handling, and he's only gotten 3 feet on my hand by himself ONCE, I don't force him out of his cage. And I don't want him to leave my sight because (I'm sure most of you can relate) I don't trust anyone handling him, even with my inexperience!

I have a box with a thick towel on the bottom with a large stick for him to perch on inside. I've filled out and printed off the 'how to ask for help' to show the vet too.

Anything else I should do? His appt isn't until 4:30 tomorrow, so when I get off work at 3, it'll give me time to get him into his box without hurrying.


I'm sure you know how nervous I feel as a new cham momma

 

[xraygirl]

34 views and not a single comment?

 

[FlChamMom]

i have had to make this trip quite a few times... I had a panther who got an infection from a leg injury. That was a challenge because he was a mean little bugger. Getting him into the box was an absolute nightmare. I was very impressed by the no-nonsense way the vet handled his exam and meds though.
My current panther Zeke has also been to the vet a few times- first time for a checkup because I felt something was off and then three more times because he discovered Zeke had coccidia. A good reptile vet will handle your boy very gently and he will be no worse for wear. Zeke will climb on any hand, but Jimi my last panther hated to be held. I was concerned too. The vet just scooped him up from beneath and I think he was too surprised to react. You will be in the exam room as well so you can monitor any vet tech who thinks it might be cool to see Chief flare.
My vet was very impressed with my printed husbandry (I did the exact same thing!)

 

[Kath44]

It sounds like she will be fine with your Cham, at least likes/loves them. I don't know how your vets work there, but here we go into exam room with our pets.
It's only if they have to stay in overnight, or surgery they would take them through from the exam room. Even then, we can visit.
Hope chief will be fine. Kath.

 

[xraygirl]

I hope so too, I'm wondering what's going on to cause him to have gular edema.. I guess my other worry is (if he needs it) giving him medication everyday. I've tried to get chief to fire up twice in front of a mirror and he never did. I held him under a lamp for lighting once and he fired up, lol.

I got his little box, care sheet, and poop sample ready to go for this afternoon. :-/

 

[Saldarya]

A couple of things:

1. In so far as how they will handle him, probably a bit rougher than what you would. THey will have to hold him a bit tight to get a good look in the mouth and will likely make him gape to do this. You may hear him hiss and squirm, but I assure you they are not being hurt. Again, we tend to handle them with kid gloves, but I assure you they can be handled with purpose with no issue.

2. They do not 'hold grudges'. They are not like more highly evolved animals in this respect. For example, when I take my Cockatoo to the vet, she absolutely knows it and will pout for days. The reptiles, not so much.

3. On the topic of the edema, I am not sure what you are expecting from the vet in regards to this. There is much speculation as to what causes this and it seems likely that there is no cure, simply ways to reduce the visual symptoms you see.

This forum probably has more information on this topic, especially as it relates to Chameleons, than any normal vet would be knowledgeable of. You can ask them about it, but don't expect resolution and certainly don't let them prescribed some random medicine out of ignorance.

Feel free to PM me if you would like and perhaps I can shed some light on the edema for you.

Don't be nervous, he will be fine!

 

[xraygirl]

A couple of things:

1. In so far as how they will handle him, probably a bit rougher than what you would. THey will have to hold him a bit tight to get a good look in the mouth and will likely make him gape to do this. You may hear him hiss and squirm, but I assure you they are not being hurt. Again, we tend to handle them with kid gloves, but I assure you they can be handled with purpose with no issue.

2. They do not 'hold grudges'. They are not like more highly evolved animals in this respect. For example, when I take my Cockatoo to the vet, she absolutely knows it and will pout for days. The reptiles, not so much.

3. On the topic of the edema, I am not sure what you are expecting from the vet in regards to this. There is much speculation as to what causes this and it seems likely that there is no cure, simply ways to reduce the visual symptoms you see.

This forum probably has more information on this topic, especially as it relates to Chameleons, than any normal vet would be knowledgeable of. You can ask them about it, but don't expect resolution and certainly don't let them prescribed some random medicine out of ignorance.

Feel free to PM me if you would like and perhaps I can shed some light on the edema for you.

Don't be nervous, he will be fine!

Thank you everyone for your comments and reassurance... I'm nervous cause I don't like to 'man handle' him much. So I've never purposely aggravated him to hiss or bite me, but he has gaped at me before.

I'm like the moms are with human babies when they go to the dr's, only with my little red grumpy guy..

 

[pigglett79]

Good luck on the visit. It's verve racking I know. We have been to the vet several times since january.

As for the gular edema, it's really a mystery. Lots of us have chameleons who have it and have been trying to figure out what could cause it. From all of my research there are so many possibilities that it is nearly impossible to figure it out. I have tried adjust supplements, changing up gut load, more sunshine, changing water, antibiotics, you name it. And I have not seen any change. It's very frustrating.

 

[xraygirl]

Since I lack in experience as far as tweaking things, I don't really know what to tweak. I was dusting his critters everyday, and I've cut back to dusting 5 days a week. Then as a recommendation, I started to use rescuecal from repashy in a very weak solution in his little dripper, and it did help make it go down, but it flares back up.
The part about the edema part that worries me is organ issues, if that is the issue. I knew getting a consignment chameleon was risky since I had no history and I don't have a well trained eye... but I couldn't leave him in that little tiny plastic box at repticon, and I mentally made myself aware that he might have some issues.
Oh the things we do for our animals..

 

[xraygirl]

He did great!! He gaped a lot, but he didn't bite or hiss!! So proud of him, he didn't fire up either, he got a teeeeeeeeensy tiny bit of his fire up yellow on his belly but that was it.

I'll get the result of his fecal tomorrow, his xray looked good, weighs 110.5 grams, and palpated all over really well. Everyone at the office loved him, and the computer guy next door even did a little photo shoot of him to put on her website (still under construction)

She is a great vet, handled him with so much care and loved him!

 

[xraygirl]

And I just got him home, didn't want to be on his stick, he stayed on his towels in the upper upper of his little box.

It was so funny originally putting him in the box before we left the house, he had this look on his little face and his little arms going all about like, "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!? DONT SEND ME AWAY!!"

It broke my heart but was so precious at the same time.

 

[Kath44]

Glad it went well. He's very handsome. Kath.

 

[Carlton]

He did great!! He gaped a lot, but he didn't bite or hiss!! So proud of him, he didn't fire up either, he got a teeeeeeeeensy tiny bit of his fire up yellow on his belly but that was it.

She is a great vet, handled him with so much care and loved him!

A lot of chams who act like junk yard dogs at home just deflate in a strange setting. They know they are not on their turf and being handled by a savvy person. Also, he's away from his basking spot and his little brain was on the cooler side.

How could any vet not love such a pretty guy? Attitude is just one part of what makes him who he is.

 

[xraygirl]

Glad it went well. He's very handsome. Kath.

Thank you so much! That means a lot! I sent the vet the 'how to ask for help' all filled out and she LOVED it. They all talked about how awesome that was!

A lot of chams who act like junk yard dogs at home just deflate in a strange setting. They know they are not on their turf and being handled by a savvy person. Also, he's away from his basking spot and his little brain was on the cooler side.

How could any vet not love such a pretty guy? Attitude is just one part of what makes him who he is.

That is very true! The vet got a kick out of him constantly doing the 'lick test' as he moved along our arms. I got a kick out of everyone enjoying him and their nice compliments. Other people who were there with their animals were peering in at him through the window. The vet got a kick out of his 'squirmy-ness' during his xray!

I'm very pleased with how he acted, I was expecting to see him bite or hiss for the first time today and he didn't. I'd say the little guy is coming around! I never thought a little creature could steal your heart, but he sure has. I have enjoyed watching him transform from the scrawny little bag of bones that was a dingy red/brown to this bright vibrant little tough guy!

 

[FlChamMom]

I am so glad things went well! It is kind of scary how quickly the little suckers can worm their way into your heart. I'll bet he was a cutie!

 

[xraygirl]

I am so glad things went well! It is kind of scary how quickly the little suckers can worm their way into your heart. I'll bet he was a cutie!

Oh he was funny! Mr tough guy! Showing off his throat! While in my hand he opened his mouth up real wide and the vet chuckled saying well at least I can look now and not force him to open his mouth later!

Hehe, sneaky little turd....

 

[laurie]

Isn't it nice to have it all go so smooth? Now you can feel better knowing you have a vet if you ever need her. Tell Chief he is ok, so go into his cage and be a beautiful good boy.

 

[xraygirl]

Isn't it nice to have it all go so smooth? Now you can feel better knowing to have a vet if you ever need her. Tell Chief he is ok so go into his cage and be a beautiful good boy.

I sucked up to him this morning with some silkworms he was a happy boy!!

 

[laurie]

The things we do for these little creatures we love! But he is a happy boy now, so you can be happy again also.

 

[xraygirl]

The things we do for these little creatures we love! But he is a happy boy now, so you can be happy again also.

It's amazing what these little critters can do to our hearts.... He is a ham... My little red grumpy ham my mission this weekend is to find a taller ficus tree for him to roam around on, and to get a pothos to get growing for his future bigger cage