Lumps on stomach

[SaintJimmy]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Veiled, Male. I don't know how old it is, but he is probably a juvie. He's been in my care for three days.

Handling - I have never handled him except to put him in his cage.

Feeding - Crickets, usually 3-4 per day in the afternoon. Gutloading with lettuce and broccoli

Supplements - Repti-calcium with D3 once a week

Watering - I drip water from the top occasionally, but I mist the cage about 4 times daily to keep the humidity to 45-60%. I also leave a clear cup with water surrounded by climbing stuff (so it is easily accessible) just in case. Never seen him drink except the day I bought him.

Fecal Description - He has pooped once since I got him. It was a white chalky color.

History - I have asked questions on different websites and got very helpful responses. I posted pictures and multiple people told me that my chameleon (rescue from petco) has had MBD in the past, and also was malnourished. I am taking much better care of him now hopefully with the calcium.

Cage Info:

Cage Type - 16x16x20 reptibreeze (I know, I know, it's small. I'm working on getting another) and all 5 sides are screen except the PVC bottom.

http://s993.beta.photobucket.com/user/aurawave/media/IMG_0430_zpscd573beb.jpg.html

Lighting - Here are pictures of everything I have. (Orange box is just a lighting fixture box)

http://s993.beta.photobucket.com/user/aurawave/library/lights

Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?

Humidity - Humidity ranges from 35-60%, 60 being when I mist, 35 being about 10 minutes after I mist. I keep track using a hygrometer.

Plants - Ficus benjamin

Placement - The cage is on top of my dresser and the top reaches about 4"6' off the ground. The only person who ever comes in my room is me. Usually I sit on the other side of the room, but sometimes I go to my dresser to get my clothes and to mist the chameleon cage. There is an air conditioning vent in the middle of the room about 5 feet away (except on the ceiling) from my cage. I don't use fans.

Location - Southern California

Current Problem - The right side of my chameleon monty's belly is oddly shaped. Sort of lumpy and sticking out.

I just want to know if this is of enough concern to even see a vet considering his past conditions and the rate at which he eats and poops. He didn't eat at all today per his choice.

Here is a picture of Monty prior to this situation
http://s993.beta.photobucket.com/user/aurawave/media/IMG_0410_zps68d3ab9b.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

Here he is when I noticed it today
http://s993.beta.photobucket.com/user/aurawave/library/lumps

It may be hard to tell because of the lighting and leaves, but there are some serious lumps

 

[ReptiGeek]

It could be eggs. I'm no expert but your male doesn't appear to actually be a male. He could very well be a she. I'm sure other members will chime in by I just thought I would give my two cents.
Do some research on laying bins, etc.


*****CORRECTION*******
I think I saw some spurs on your older pics so I am most likely wrong. Disregard what I had to say!

 

[SaintJimmy]

It could be eggs. I'm no expert but your male doesn't appear to actually be a male. He could very well be a she. I'm sure other members will chime in by I just thought I would give my two cents.
Do some research on laying bins, etc.


*****CORRECTION*******
I think I saw some spurs on your older pics so I am most likely wrong. Disregard what I had to say!

I have had an experienced cham owner look at the pics and tell me he was male. At first I was sure he was a female, but then I took a look at realized there were nubs.

I would be so P-O'd if they were eggs, though, lol.

 

[ReptiGeek]

Hahaha, maybe you just got a really masculine female Transvestite?

 

[SaintJimmy]

Hahaha, maybe you just got a really masculine female Transvestite?

Hahaha, transmeleon.

I'm just concerned that the lumps are because he accidentally swallowed some substrate (I took that out ASAP when I learned it was bad) and got clogged up.

 

[Lovereps]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
This is an excellent place to learn about cham care.

After writing everything below, I saw your new post that your cham ate some substrate.
That can be a very serious problem, as it can clog the intestines which is called impaction.
If he has not pooped since eating that, then getting him to a vet tomorrow that knows how to treat reptiles may be necessary to save his life.
If you don't already know of a competent reptile vet, you can have a look at the links here and in this post for locating a vet with reptile experience:

http://www.arav.org/find-a-vet/





Your setup looks very good.
With just a few changes, I think you'll have a very happy veiled.

Although it was probably recommended by a well-meaning person, you don't need an infra-red bulb at all and in your chams enclosure it is probably making it a bit too hot for your cham, since you're using 125 watts of heat emitting bulbs.
Never use an infra-red bulb at night--12 hours of total darkness is best at night.
Chams sleep is disturbed by the use of infra-red both because they can see it and because they have a pineal eye which senses light even when their eyes are closed.

Eliminating that infra-red bulb will also help the humidity to stay in a better range for longer.
Ideally, it should be above 50% to maintain your cham's health.

Supplements
Calcium with D3 should only be used 2x a month .
Calcium without D3 should be used at most feedings.
A multivitamin 2x a month will also help your cham

You can find these here and elsewhere:
http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-repti-calcium-without-d3.html
http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptivite.html

Though it may seem odd, chameleons don't recognize standing water, since their life in bushes and trees provides them with water drops on leaves instead.
A dripper that provides a slow, steady drip onto the leaves of a plant is ideal, in addition to the mistings you're doing.

There are also a few very helpful posts I'd like to share with you:

Here is a post by a veterinarian and cham owner about cham nutrition:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/560-frequently-asked-questions-nutrition.html
"Gutloading" which is feeding feeder insects to nourish your cham
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/446-basics-gutloading.html

Here is a 2 part post about Veiled Care which has more details:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...e/396-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet-part-2.html

I didn't see the lumps that you are talking about in your pictures.
The white poop that you saw is actually cham pee, known as the urate.
Cham poop/feces is typically brown/black.
Usually the pee comes out first, followed by the poop.

 

[ataraxia]

Hi, I dont have experience with this particularly to give any firm advice but I personally think the ribs have been broken as it appears one of the ribs is floating (Im no vet and it is just a guess at what im seeing). A chameleon ribs are hinged so i would think breaks could happen in many more spots than what we would normally think/

Another possible reason that would be semi contradictory from aboves statement. It could be from too much d3 causing calcification deposits on the bones. I would think you would see it on more spots on the body. Anything is possible though.

Best thing would be to take the chameleon to a vet knowledgeable with chameleons to do some xrays.

 

[mcbdz]

Hi, I dont have experience with this particularly to give any firm advice but I personally think the ribs have been broken as it appears one of the ribs is floating (Im no vet and it is just a guess at what im seeing). A chameleon ribs are hinged so i would think breaks could happen in many more spots than what we would normally think/

Another possible reason that would be semi contradictory from aboves statement. It could be from too much d3 causing calcification deposits on the bones. I would think you would see it on more spots on the body. Anything is possible though.

Best thing would be to take the chameleon to a vet knowledgeable with chameleons to do some xrays.

I agree. Looks like the ribs could be broken. Either wayI would find a vet with chameleon experience.

 

[Carlton]

Your cham may be developing MBD (or it will at some point) because your gutload and dusting schedule need improvements. Lettuce isn't all that nutritious on its own, and broccoli will interfere with the availability of dietary calcium. There are some very good gutloads available from forum sponsors to make it easier.

You should be dusting lightly each day with plain calcium (no added D3), dust with calcium WITH D3 every 2 weeks, and dust with a herp multivitamin once a month.

 

[SaintJimmy]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
This is an excellent place to learn about cham care.

After writing everything below, I saw your new post that your cham ate some substrate.
That can be a very serious problem, as it can clog the intestines which is called impaction.
If he has not pooped since eating that, then getting him to a vet tomorrow that knows how to treat reptiles may be necessary to save his life.
If you don't already know of a competent reptile vet, you can have a look at the links here and in this post for locating a vet with reptile experience:

http://www.arav.org/find-a-vet/





Your setup looks very good.
With just a few changes, I think you'll have a very happy veiled.

Although it was probably recommended by a well-meaning person, you don't need an infra-red bulb at all and in your chams enclosure it is probably making it a bit too hot for your cham, since you're using 125 watts of heat emitting bulbs.
Never use an infra-red bulb at night--12 hours of total darkness is best at night.
Chams sleep is disturbed by the use of infra-red both because they can see it and because they have a pineal eye which senses light even when their eyes are closed.

Eliminating that infra-red bulb will also help the humidity to stay in a better range for longer.
Ideally, it should be above 50% to maintain your cham's health.

Supplements
Calcium with D3 should only be used 2x a month .
Calcium without D3 should be used at most feedings.
A multivitamin 2x a month will also help your cham

You can find these here and elsewhere:
http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-repti-calcium-without-d3.html
http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptivite.html

Though it may seem odd, chameleons don't recognize standing water, since their life in bushes and trees provides them with water drops on leaves instead.
A dripper that provides a slow, steady drip onto the leaves of a plant is ideal, in addition to the mistings you're doing.

There are also a few very helpful posts I'd like to share with you:

Here is a post by a veterinarian and cham owner about cham nutrition:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/560-frequently-asked-questions-nutrition.html
"Gutloading" which is feeding feeder insects to nourish your cham
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/446-basics-gutloading.html

Here is a 2 part post about Veiled Care which has more details:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...e/396-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet-part-2.html

I didn't see the lumps that you are talking about in your pictures.
The white poop that you saw is actually cham pee, known as the urate.
Cham poop/feces is typically brown/black.
Usually the pee comes out first, followed by the poop.

I will quit using the infared, thank you. I'll see if I can return that.
I've been trying to keep the cham better than the pet store ever would, so that's why I've been researching and asking for advice.

Actually, as for the substrate, I've never seen him eat it. And there was brown in the poop, lol.

I'm going to take him to the vet ASAP though because I have been told by many people (not including from this thread) that he has had past broken bones and has had MBD. I'm trying so hard to reverse that, believe me. I don't want the little dude to die on me.

Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate it. I will get him to a vet and then see what else I can do about the humidity and calcium.

 

[jannb]

Make sure you go to a vet that has chameleon knowledge and the very best of luck with him.


Attila Molnar, DVM *
All Animals Medical Center, Calabasas, California - (818) 591-2773

Geoffrey Stein, DVM *
Dr.stein now practices in

VCA McClave Animal Hospital , here is the link of the veterinarians at the hospital, Dr. Stein is the last one at the bottom list, scroll down.

http://www.vcahospitals.com/mcclave/...rinarians.html

Phone: 1-818-881-5102
Fax: 1-818-881-2831
6950 Reseda Boulevard
Reseda, CA 91335


Daniel Reimer, DVM *
Adler Veterinary Clinic, North Hills, California - (818) 893-6366

Thomas H. Boyer, DVM
Pet Hospital of Penasquitos, 888-F Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, CA - (858) 484-3490
Pet Hospital of Penasquitos

Todd R. Cecil, DVM
Pet Emergency and Specialty Center, Chula Vista, CA (619) 591-4802 and La Mesa, CA (619) 462-4800

Tom Greek, DVM
Greek & Associates Veterinary Hospital, 23687 Via Del Rio, Yorba Linda - (714) 463-1190 or (866) 940-7028
www.tomgreek.com

 

[SaintJimmy]

Good news, guys. I came back to my house this morning and found brown poop on the bottom of his cage! So he's not blocked up

Bad news is that the other part is yellow and I can't get him to drink. Any tips on how to kind of force the little guy to drink something? I have a little shiny cup with water at the bottom and I mist as well as drip using a water bottle with a cut in the bottom. I usually position it so that it drips in front of him, but he never drinks. Tips?

EDIT: Just misted the ficus plant. I sat below the cage and managed to witness him drink some water. I realized I need to mist more and for longer periods of time.

All good!