I need some advise...

[Eltortu]

Hello, Hello! Over the weekend I bought a Panther Chameleon and she's been having this extremely foul runny crap, light brown/white in color since I got her. I did'nt see any mites or parasites, and she looks healthy. She eats and drinks very well(Crickets,mealworms,phoenixworms lightly dusted of course). I was told she is about a year old, but because of her size, I think she might be younger. I called this local vet that "knows" about reptiles, and he suggested to put her on Baytril for three days, as she may have an infection, but, not because of his accent, did'nt think was right on the diagnose. Thanks for your help, Rafael...

 

[sandrachameleon]

by "foul" do you mean smelly? Have you had a fecal sample tested by a vet? I dont think I'd give Baytril without knowing what exactly was wrong and whether or not the med would help.

 

[Eltortu]

Yes, "smelly" as in when you'd walk in the room and you'd say "WTF is that smell"? The vets in my area are good with cats, dogs and horses not reptiles...I don't think this vets would know what to look for in a fecal sample....

 

[jojackson]

Yes, "smelly" as in when you'd walk in the room and you'd say "WTF is that smell"?

LMAO
Most vets would atlest be familiar with parasites under the microscope, certainly sounds like something nasty if its that bad. Maybe you could send a sample to a lab/vet by mail, if reptile qualified vets are nowhere local?
Many parasites are not readily identifiable without a microscope, nor obvious in poo (except for smell). Could probably do with a worming rather than baytril. Baytril is harsh and way over used, and wont do anything to kill parasites. its more for bacterial infections and the like, its an anti biotic.
Eitherway, you need to find out before your lizard 'looks' sick, because by the time he does, he's really sick.

 

[Eltortu]

Diet - Nothing but good food!

 

[Eltortu]

I love your grammar Jo! Are you related to Michael?...

 

[jojackson]

Then possibly it was carrying a parasite load when you bought it? *shrugs*
something is wrong. Hope you get it better fast,
cheers

 

[jojackson]

I love your grammar Jo! Are you related to Michael?...

*Mj's Voice*
"Tee he he! no Im not related at all, Thankyou. I love you. Tee he he"
*Moonwalks away*

Yeah Im Mojo Jackson, Michaels secret adopted white brother, I just cut the "Mo" out to hide my identity, but you made me.
Used to Be the Jackson Six, But I couldnt Dance!

LOL

 

[Eltortu]

So Jo, what medicine do you suggest? Reptaid? Metrodinazole? I'm just frustraded that there are not herp vets in my area...

 

[jojackson]

Mate I dont really suggest you start pumping it with anything other than a normal healthy diet, as much water as it wants (dripper?) until you discover whats actually wrong with it. Is there mucas with the poo? fluid?
This can potentially lead to dehydration so be sure its getting enough water.
What can you tell us about its diet or husbandry prior to sale? Is it captive bred or wild caught?
What is the basking temp?

 

[Eltortu]

I can't really tell on her crap because she does it when I'm at work, so when I get back home the stuff is all dry and dusty. I have a drip cup that works well(I timed it to about two hours) and of course I mist her in the morning and afternoon. Diet, nothing but well fed and dusted crickets and mealworms and phoenixworms. The basking temp am not sure, but this setup is the same as my other Panther. The dude I got her from told me he bought it cb.

 

[Eltortu]

Anyway it is late (9:57pm pst) so I am going to sleep. Thanks Sandra and Jo and anyone with suggestions...

 

[sandrachameleon]

There must be a vet in CA. If you have to drive an hour or two, so what. Try looking here: http://www.herpvetconnection.com or posting a thread asking for a vet referral in your area.

Fecal tests are inexpensive. Blood tests not too bad either. One of those might be all that's needed to diagnose. Better to know what the problem is (if there is one) and treat it correctly, than to guess.

But, if I had to guess and provide a medication without sufficient knowledge, Panacur, for worms, isnt too hard on the chameleon (comparatively) so I might start there. Still want to get the dose right based on the chameleon's weight. This might help: http://www.anapsid.org/resources/rxdose.html#parasites

Extra water being made available never hurts.

You might want to complete the "how to ask for help" form, to see if others can suggest husbandry issues.

These threads on parasites may also be of use to you, or possibly even your vet:
http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/parasites-warning-this-health-chapter.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/parasite-photo-2104/
http://books.google.com/books?id=FF...esult&resnum=1&ct=result#v=onepage&q=&f=false
https://www.chameleonforums.com/parasite-videos-etc-17739/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/fecal-flotation-techniques-etc-18479/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/western-veterinary-conference-papers-23752/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/chameleons-coccidia-ponazuril-offers-16409/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/reptaid-new-organic-anti-17262/

 

[laurie]

Sandra beat me to it, as she so often does. Get panacur at an animals supply store. They use it on horses so it should be easy to locate. i am sure you can call Dr. Greek and get him to do a fecal. I still have his old phone # as I am no longer in soca. Try Yorba Linda yellow pages for Tom Greek DMV. i know what the drive would be but is it as bad as losing a cham?? My nearest reptile vet is 5 hours each way.

 

[dragongoddess]

Here is Dr. Greek's info hun:
Greek & Associates Veterinary Hospital
23687 Via Del Rio
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
714-463-1190
website: www.TomGreek.com

It is an hour and 1/2 to two hours depending on traffic but it's realy the only thing we got. I'm in the same area, and he's the closest and most confident we can get out here.

 

[jannb]

There are two excellent chameleon vets in the LA area. Lancaster is not that far from LA.

Dr. Tom Greek
23687 Via Del Rio
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
714-463-1190 or 866-940-7028

Dr. Geoff Stein
(Dr. Shipp's Animal Hospital)
351 N. Foothill Rd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-550-0101