male baby? with back problem?

del33

del33

Member
male baby? with back problem? --- Help and opinions please

Just got this guy and have never seen a cham look like this. I've had him since yesterday. Is he just malnourished or something? He drinks like a champ and is eating extra small (1/4" or slightly smaller crickets). He's eaten about 6 crickets today. Yesterday, he seemed like he had a broken back the way it looked. He climbs normally, prehensile tail works normally and all his limbs work fine. At times, his spine looks normal but when he rests his body, it's just weird. He acts absolutely normally like any other cham and doesn't seem unhealthy. Just funky looking sometimes. What do you guys think.
 
In the 1 1/2 days I've had him, he's been kept in an extra small screen cage 70-74 degrees ambient and basking spot of approx. 85 degrees. Using 18" Retpisun 5.0 tube bulb. Misting manually 5 times a day 70% humidity. All crickets eaten so far were gutloaded with squash/kale/carrots/red peppers and dusted with Calcium no D3.
 
He reminds me of my Daedalus, he has a dip in the same area of his spine. I'm attaching a pic so you can see:

img4154uh.jpg


He's had it for most of his life, but as you can see he looks like a perfectly normal panther despite it. It may be like scoliosis in people? I doubt that ALL the problems these guys have are directly related to some error in husbandry, we have to assume that genetics must play a part in some of it. As long as you feel confident in your feeding/supplement/lighting schedule (and maybe have a vet check him out to be on the safe side) it may just be the way he is.

At any rate, if he's acting and functioning normally then this may never bother him. Daedalus never slows down because of his back even though his dip is much smaller, so hopefully your guy will grow up just fine. If not a little different!
 
It's like his stomach must have been so small that it couldn't support the lower/rear spine area. I'm hoping it'll get better the more he eats.
 
Huh, that's bizaar. If his spine is really maleable like that then maybe a vet visit is in order? It's one thing to have a kink in the spine permanently but sounds like something else entirely if it's doing whatever it wants.
 
Olimpia said:
He reminds me of my Daedalus, he has a dip in the same area of his spine. I'm attaching a pic so you can see:

img4154uh.jpg


He's had it for most of his life, but as you can see he looks like a perfectly normal panther despite it. It may be like scoliosis in people? I doubt that ALL the problems these guys have are directly related to some error in husbandry, we have to assume that genetics must play a part in some of it. As long as you feel confident in your feeding/supplement/lighting schedule (and maybe have a vet check him out to be on the safe side) it may just be the way he is.

At any rate, if he's acting and functioning normally then this may never bother him. Daedalus never slows down because of his back even though his dip is much smaller, so hopefully your guy will grow up just fine. If not a little different!
Click to expand...



You have a good looking cham there. I do see his dip. So do you notice it more when he's on a flat area like floor/wall/roof of the cage. I was affraid of it being a genetic/health issue. I don't know what I should do.
 
Olimpia said:
Huh, that's bizaar. If his spine is really maleable like that then maybe a vet visit is in order? It's one thing to have a kink in the spine permanently but sounds like something else entirely if it's doing whatever it wants.
Click to expand...


Yeah,, that's what is weird. His spine is so flexible. Kind of like his stomach is slowly filling up the more he eats and is helping to support the spine..
 
Thanks. It's just always there, whether he's curled up to sleep or climbing around his cage. It's a kink that's been there for months, maybe about 8 months now. Or at least that's when I noticed it getting more pronounced as he grew.

If it is genetic, then there's not much to be done. If he's climbing and eating normally then he just seems like he's going to be a great pet for someone. It really may never bother him in any way. However, I'm certainly not a vet or any type of authority on spinal issues, but if it's coming and going like that (because it is a super pronounced curve in the first pics) then I might want to go to a good vet and see what they think.
 
Yeah I know that option's always availabe. I don't want to downplay anything but I'm thinking that I should wait another 2 days or so and see what happens. That doesn't make me a bad guy right? Unless someone else thinks that it's critical. It's just a bummer since I just got him.
 
I actually don't know what to tell you! If it were something serious like a broken back he would probably be paralized from that point down. Or with MBD other bones like his arms would be deformed as well (it would have to be advanced MBD, OR MBD that weakened his spine and then it broke, which puts us back to point one). So I don't know how critical it is. I guess see how he's doing tomorrow and have a vet found nearby just in case.

I bet it's a bummer. Who did you get him from? I'm sort of surprised that any responsible breeder would send you an animal like him if he's been like that for a while. Try sending them an email as well. If they're at all reputable then they'll offer to replace him if you want or offer some amount of refund.
 
I got him from a local breeder in my area. Since he isn't showing any discomfort and is very mobile, I'll see how he looks tomorrow. Hoping it gets better.
 
Well looks like I'm at this alone :rolleyes: Nobody else had any ideas or opinions. I am trying my best here.. Maybe I should have posted in the breeders section. Those guys probably have more experience with babies and uncommon anomalies. Anyway, here's an updated pic the morning after getting some sun in the house. He's looking better, although, it's only been 2 days.
 
Like olimpia said, could be from genetics. I think your best bet would be to take him to the vet and get an x-ray to check bone density. How old is your little guy?
 
Thompson said:
Like olimpia said, could be from genetics. I think your best bet would be to take him to the vet and get an x-ray to check bone density. How old is your little guy?
Click to expand...

Check bone density on such a little guy? He's only about 1 1/2 inches snout to vent. I was told he was 3 mos., but I think he's younger. If all they'll do is x-ray,, I've payed close attention to his bones/skeletal structure while he moves in all directions and they look normal. I think he was just too hungry. I'm far from a vet,, but I just don't personally see an appt. being critical yet. I'm supplementing his food with plenty of Calcium/no D3, hydrating him, giving him natural sun. Just don't want to freak out yet. I have the best intentions for this guy.


Seeco said:
Don't waste money on a vet appt. Just get a 50% refund from seller.
Click to expand...

I'm on the same page as you about not getting a vet appt. since I just got this guy and have thought about returning him for another one. I do that with my reef corals/fish... But this little guy is really pretty cool. He looks at me.. my fish don't care.. lol... I guess I don't identify with fish as much as I do with chams.
 
1 month later

Just thought I'd update on little guy. He's such a slow grower compared to our other guys. Maybe he's the runt. His crooked back issue seems to be gone permanently cuz I never see him bend that way anymore.
 
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