First necropsy. .. WARNING graphic photos

[AJA]

I got a gravid wc lateralis the other day from Mike at FL chams. She laid 11 eggs the other day, but died the next day while I was at work. I swore that I wouldn't buy wild caughts because it just breaks my heart when these guys go. So I decided I would do a necropsy to see if I could tell what caused her death. I don't know Mike's protocal when he bring in imports so I was looking for a parasite load, but didn't see any.

I would appreciate the experienced folk to chime in and let me know if you see anything or can identify parts. None of my chameleon books had a diagram of the insides.

Note to any moderator or Brad. If you feel these photos need to be deleted, please do so at your discrecian, I am hoping this post to be educational, but understand your concerns.

WARNING: The following photos may not be suitable for younger viewers or those with quesy stomachs.

 

[AJA]

This is the initial opening. I see that she had more eggs in her for the next go around. I am guessing the white blob is her stomach. I am guessing the dark blob in fron is a liver?



Her insides stretched out. The little tiny blob is her heart at the top? Then the next is an inflated sack ...lung?



A close up after the sack deflated.


A close up of what I thought was the stomach after opening.



Another close up of the stomach, would I find parasites here?




It has been a long time since I did a necropsy and it wasn't until mid way through that I remembered to put gloves on but I was wondering if there is anything I can catch from the chameleon ? I remember from my deer hunting days you had to be careful when gutting a deer because you could catch something if you had exposed skin on your hands.

 

[hailo]

have no idea on what to look for but very interested in the out come to say the very least. i hope someone can see somthing and point it out

 

[jojackson]

This may help

larger with deutsch titling . Organs artificially colored for easier refrence, intenstines uncolored.
©http://www.chamaeleon-terraristik.de/html/anatomie.html

 

[hailo]

This may help

larger with deutsch titling . Organs artificially colored for easier refrence, intenstines uncolored.
©http://www.chamaeleon-terraristik.de/html/anatomie.html

man if thats not the coolest set of pics ....thank you

 

[jojackson]

The labeled pics are actually a female calyptratus but im sure the gross anatomy is the same. Bit more tricky to ID the 'bits' without the fake coloring, but it may give an idea.
Think you got the heart right Anna.
I have absolutely no idea weather the 'bits' are of normal appearance though im afraid.
Dont mean to be totally insensitive Anna, sorry you lost her.

 

[Eric Adrignola]

If mike gave her some dewormer, there would probably not be ay obvious worms in the digestive tract. Stress of importation combined with egg laying is pretty good an explaination. You get plenty that die soon after import, due to importation, and you get plenty that die soon after egg-laying, due to the stresses of that. Combine them, and while not something really preventable in the situation, it is likely.

 

[reyesjoshuacruz]

how do the eggs look?

 

[AJA]

Her eggs were fine.

No worries Dan on the 'insensitivity'.

 

[xanthoman]

Aja's gone gangsta