Meds question

sallyb

sallyb

Avid Member
We had a trip to the vet last month as we were worried that Gizzy could not go to the "toilet" he did a scan and said he thought it was just a constipation, but it is possible . We were given Lactulose solution to give her daily. The very next day though she went and again a week after that. Since then nothing. I am starting to worry now so i tried to call the vet to ask him if i could increase the dose of medicine safely, but he is on holidays. Gizzy has been taking 0.08ml daily and i just wondered if anyone knows if i can give her more or if there is anything else i can safely give her to help ?
 
Thanks, Yes i have given her two showers this week, but still nothing. She is eating really well too. I am giving the medicine daily since 5 days ago again, do you think it would take longer for it to work perhaps ?
 
To be honest I have no exp with that med Sally. Maybe others on here with exp can chime in. Ive been lucky with the shower method so far.
 
I'm sorry that your still having problems with sweet l'il Gizzy. I always found that with Lily, putting her out in the sun for a while pretty much guaranteed a poop! How long is it since she last pooped? Lily used to go about a week to 10 days in between, and Tommy, well he is just something else, lol! He sometimes goes two weeks between poops! But he doesn't eat every day, so there's not a lot to poop back out again!:D
 
Sally I am not sure that Gizzy doesn't just like your attention. She has gotten so accustomed to attention and you to providing it, that she may just need a bit is time and very moist feeder's. If the sun works for Tiff give that a try also. Please let me know how she is.
 
Thanks guys. It has been over a fortnight now and still nothing. Good news on the vet front though - he received my email and is going to see her tonight as an emergency thanks heavens. She looks pretty bloated today and is a bit out of sorts. My major worry now is whether she does have an enlarge liver or spleen. He thought it was just the constipation last time, but it seems weird that it keeps happening.

We have tried everything showers, sun, meds, cabbage (if only she would eat it). Hopefully the vet will be able to help as other than this she seems back to her usual self. Fingers crossed :(
 
We have just arrived back from the vet and as we thought Gizzy is impacted again. He has given her some more lactulose and some Metacham to take. I also have to increase syringing water to 3ml twice a day. He said to give her another 7-10 days as long as she doesn`t worsen. If by then she has not "been" then we have to go back for more x-rays and possibly another op. He is also a little worried in case she has regrowth.

It seems likely that due to her having so many eggs etc and her insides being stretched and out of shape that it has caused some issues with the bowel or gut. At best she will need to stay on the lactulose long term.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Gizzy is a plant eater, but not too fond of fruit, but i will definately give the baby pears and other fruits another try. Gizzy loves the sunshine too so i`m sure we`ll be spending much more time out there. I have been spoiling her a little lately Kinyonga - as she is refusing crickets she has had only waxworms the last couple of days and she ate 7 today. :)
 
It seems likely that due to her having so many eggs etc and her insides being stretched and out of shape that it has caused some issues with the bowel or gut. At best she will need to stay on the lactulose long term.
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I would suggest backing right off the food for several days atleast, and bumping the temperature a few degrees for a week. Maintain the hydration but dont overdo it. 3ml twice a day is possible more than nessesary.
Best wishes
 
jojackson said:
I would suggest backing right off the food for several days at least, and bumping the temperature a few degrees for a week. Best wishes
Click to expand...
i agree, you dont want to keep feeding if nothing is coming out, i would stop all food for at least a week, and if that does not do it, when you do feed, i would feed sparingly with small dubia or small crickets that have been gutloaded with prunes. i agree with the not over doing it with hydration (well hydrated but not unusually well hydrated). lactulose works by drawing water into the feces, and overdoing the lactulose or the hydration could have too much of an effect, might increase the risk of a prolapse. the best approach is slow and easy, quit feeding and give the meds time to do their job. on the otherhand if she is impacted because of perlite or something, then lactulose probably will not help. jmo
 
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Gutloading with prunes? Im not sure how much of a laxative effect that might have, but such effect may not be the best solution anyway. The more the animal voids, the more fluid loss, aka, diareah causes dehydration, not a good thing.
Im inclined to think its digestive system simply needs a break and its metabolism to be optimised so that it can pass any possible 'backup' that may be present and regain its equilibrium.
Certainly, more moist gutload will improve the overall hydration and digestive process.
 
If you overfeed then your chameleon produces large clutches. Also, overfeeding leads to constipation and even prolapse. I believe it can also push the chameleon towards MBD from what I've read and been told.
 
Thanks guys i will cut out the food for now and try alternative gutload when we do feed her. Thankfully Gizzy will not produce any eggs due to the speying - that said i suppose regrowth is a possibilty. How much water do you think i should be syringing ? Before the vet visit i was giving her 1ml twice a day.
 
i dont know how big this cham is but 1.0ml twice a day seems like a reasonable amount for an adult cham. if administering by syringe, i would not give more than 1.ml at any one time. jmo
 
Great thanks for that. I have just given her the meds and 1ml of water. I wouldn`t have fancied my chances of getting 3mls in. Hopefully it will not be too long before we see some results. :)
 
When you do feed her if you can find some hornworms they are great for keeping your animal hydrated and helping keep things moving. They can make feces runny at times they have so much fluid in them. Just a thought.
 
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