Gular Edema or Flexed Hyoid Bone?

[Jakedn]

Put large river rocks in the top of his plant to cover the sand.

I use to do this, but the bugs would hide under them and he would eat soil or sand through the crevices. Is there an alternative way?

I also am really curious as to why he would do it deliberately. Is there something lacking in the captive diet? Would they do it to wash down mucus so to speak, or something else stuck in their throat? Do they do it simply because they are hungry? Do they mistake it for something else? Do they think that they can gain nutrients through micro-life in the soil? Do they do it to gain moisture content when thirsty?

There are many things that they could theoretically gain from doing this, and I'm intrigued on what it may be. Are there any studies on this? Any theories? Any proven factual documentation on this?

Thanks,
Jake

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

hmmm maybe put a piece of screen that the bugs can not get into the soil and he can eat the soil either. or maybe a towel but the bugs can still hide in the soil from the towel. Bugs meaning the feeders right not like plant bugs or whatever you call them?

 

[Jakedn]

hmmm maybe put a piece of screen that the bugs can not get into the soil and he can eat the soil either. or maybe a towel but the bugs can still hide in the soil from the towel. Bugs meaning the feeders right not like plant bugs or whatever you call them?

Previously, a mite problem broke out due to me using organic soil that I had not baked and tons of them were living without my knowledge in the soil and under the rocks. I then noticed, and solved this problem by switching my plant and using sand instead as sand does not hold oxygen pockets thus not allowing the bugs live in it.

The feeder bugs themselves are not high on my worries as I hand feed and am attempting using a feeder bowl.

I would prefer not to use the rocks, as I do not want another outbreak of bugs of any sort and it makes cleaning up difficult.

In the end though, it is not what is easy that matters, it is the overall quality of care provided to Waldo and if that means putting some rocks in, then that is what I will do. I am merely looking for an alternative if at all possible.

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

Is there anyway you can remove the bugs in the soil/sand now?

 

[Jakedn]

Is there anyway you can remove the bugs in the soil/sand now?

The bugs cannot live in the sand, I have couple inch top layer of compacted sand. Bugs in the soil I could care less about, as they cannot make it pass the barrier of sand.

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

oh ok i gotcha now

 

[Jakedn]

Anybody else have ideas of an alternate way to cover the sand?

 

[Jakedn]

Woot! Waldo's eye seems to have completely gotten better! I didn't get a good look but it looks like there is absolutely nothing in his eye any more! Now if only I could get him to eat from his feeder bowl, rather than sit there giving the bowl evil glares haha.

 

[jannb]

That's GREAT news!!!!! I wouldn't worry that much about the feeding cup. That will come with time.

 

[Jakedn]

That's GREAT news!!!!! I wouldn't worry that much about the feeding cup. That will come with time.

Yeah, I just would like him to eat from that as I prefer it over free ranging, and hand feeding everything is tiring. I'm just going keep leaving it in there with food and then hopefully he will get used to it I guess.

 

[Jakedn]

Waldo's little ankle bracelet of shed skin is still on . How long before this piece of shed could turn into a potential problem, and what should I look for to know when it is a problem, and if I should help him get it off?

 

[jannb]

Can you hold Waldo? If you can after a good misting I think I would take a moist Q-tip and rub on this shed.

 

[Jakedn]

Can you hold Waldo? If you can after a good misting I think I would take a moist Q-tip and rub on this shed.

Yes, I can hold Waldo, he tolerates it very well. However, it is always a pain to get him out of the cage. I will try this tomorrow, thanks!

 

[Jakedn]

I saw Waldo eating some sand from his plant again today, he does this on purpose and even chews a little bit before swallowing. He takes a couple tongue fulls and then goes back up and doesn't do it again for the rest of the day. This time it was after he ate, so that rules out hunger. Anyways, how much sand would it take for this to become a problem? He is still defecating normally and daily.

 

[jannb]

You need to cover that sand so he can't eat it.

 

[Jakedn]

You need to cover that sand so he can't eat it.

Yes I know, I'm going to go buy some rocks to cover it up. But, does anybody know how much is actually bad? I'm sure a little bit won't kill him as I suspect he's been doing this daily with no ill effects to his ability to defecate. He has not become constipated, and his feces is a good consistency. I would think that he would need to consume a much larger amount of sand to actually become compacted. I will do some research on this subject out of curiosity.

Regardless, at this moment I believe that this is a risk and I will cover up the sand to avoid this risk.

Thanks,
Jake

 

[jannb]

A small amount probably would hurt but how do you know he's not eating sand when you are not watching?

 

[Jakedn]

A small amount probably would hurt but how do you know he's not eating sand when you are not watching?

I wouldn't know, which is the problem. I am however near the cage most of the time and glance at it frequently to check up on what and how he is doing. The most I have ever seen him at the bottom of the cage to eat sand is once per day. He could very well be doing this more and I just haven't seen it, but i would like to think that this is only a small chance. I have been reading up on this, but am having trouble tracking down sources that are about chameleons, but I have found some on bearded dragons and impaction problems and I would think that the digestive systems are similiar. I have read that when using play sand like I am, the risk of compaction is small when the individual is well fed. Which does indeed make sense to me as this would lower the ratio of digestible matter to undigestible substrate. But, so far this is the only thing I have come across in my research that seems reliable. And even if that were true, it does not eliminate the problem entirely so this is still a risk.

 

[Jakedn]

I cut up some pvc (making sure there are no sharp edges and is too big for him to swallow) and layed it out over the sand and I covered what I could until I can get some rocks.

I also just had him out and I attempted to help the stuck shed off with a wet Q-tip as you suggested, but it did not come off and I did not use force to take it off. I just gently rubbed it with the Q-tip and when it didn't come off and he was stressed out, I left it alone and let him back in his cage.

If it stays there, I will try it again on a later day.

 

[Jakedn]

Waldo finally got off that last piece of shed skin !

He also finally ate some dubia roaches! He seemed to enjoy them quite a bit and looked at me like he was demanding more haha! So, I gave him one more, but thats it as he had already eaten his share of crickets for the day.