Forcing a chameleon's mouth open

[SilverWolf]

My adult male Jackson Chameleon had an impaction. After giving him some lactulose, he defecated twice, quite a large amount, so I believe the blockage has been removed. However, ten days passed since he had last ate, and he still refused to eat anything. I tried crickets which he refused, and a super worm, which he refused. Now just earlier I bought Repta+Boost that a veterinarian recommended - I was also recommended that on here. In order to put his caloric and nutritional needs in his stomach I had to forcefully put it in his mouth. I was as gental as I could be, but obviously him consuming something was more important than his comfort at that moment. Thankfully, he wasn't too difficult and didn't show any stress colours, but that does not mean he wasn't quite resistant of having his mouth forced open. The way I did it was the same way I watched the veterinarian do it and was instructed to do, although I did not have to truly restrain, Tricky (my chameleon). I just had to hold him in one hand, and gently pinch under his chin and pull. The skin there is quite stretchy. Actually he did more of the pulling, I just held on. As he pulled away his mouth opened and the person helping me was able to squirt some the Repta+Boost into his mouth with the syringe. Afterwards I put him straight back into his enclosure - he then went straight to basking for the rest of the day.


I wanted some advice on getting a chameleon to open their mouth. Did I do this right or must I take a different approach? I just read this, perhaps it would be better than pulling on the chin: http://www.muchadoaboutchameleons.com/2014_05_01_archive.html Please let me know.

Also, to anyone who suggests forcing a chameleon's mouth open to force feed will do more harm than good or cause them too much stress, I am only doing this because 1) I was told to do this on here by several people 2) one of the veterinarians I called instructed me to do it and 3) Tricky going ten days without eating anything and noticeably lethargic is my incentive to do anything that I can to help him. That being said, I am making this post because I do want advice on how to properly get a chameleon to open his mouth, or opinions on the matter and if I should stop doing it all together.

 

[Rufi0]

Hey i've had to recently give medicine to my Cham orally for the first time. Like you, my vet also pulled gently under his chin and Nosy opened up and he made it look effortless. When it came to me trying to do the same on my own, I gave a gentle pull and of course he didn't open his mouth. Not wanting to pull harder and hurt my little boy i gently put my thumb and forefinger either side of his mouth around the middle of his head and before I could even really put any pressure on he gaped and I could administer his medicine, very much like the muchadoaboutchameleons link you provided.

Hope this helps and Tricky starts eating again soon

 

[SilverWolf]

Hey i've had to recently give medicine to my Cham orally for the first time. Like you, my vet also pulled gently under his chin and Nosy opened up and he made it look effortless. When it came to me trying to do the same on my own, I gave a gentle pull and of course he didn't open his mouth. Not wanting to pull harder and hurt my little boy i gently put my thumb and forefinger either side of his mouth around the middle of his head and before I could even really put any pressure on he gaped and I could administer his medicine, very much like the muchadoaboutchameleons link you provided.

Hope this helps and Tricky starts eating again soon

Thank you. I managed to do what the vet actually couldn't. Pulling on the chin didn't work for the vet and she actually gave up on that (at least for just inspecting, she did manage to give him lactulose) but I did it. However, when the sun rises later I probably will do what you did and just put very light pressure on the sides of his head. Make things easier for everyone. Thank you for the input and to anyone else reading please feel free to leave any comments, suggestions etc.