My chameleon is having problems with its behind!!

[kirmit]

Kirmit poops regularly but her behind is a little swollen, Its alomost like I can see some of the remains poking out. Is it a digestive problem?? any thoughts?

 

[toddmkeller]

Sounds like an intestinal prolapse, keep it damp with a damp towel or some KY Jelly (water based lubricant) and get her to the vet as fast as possible. If it drys out it will be nearly impossible for him/her to recover.

See Ya,

Todd

 

[bradley]

it could be sperm plugs has he been bred lately

 

[kirmit]

well i have this stuff called Trithalmic Ophthalmic Ointment, i got it for her dry eyes; do you think i could use that?? And its a girl so i dont think it could be the sperm thing. lol.

 

[toddmkeller]

Is there any way you can get her to a vet today? You can't use that ointment because it is probably petroleum based and could dry out instead of keeping moist.

See Ya,

Todd

 

[kirmit]

oh i see, she has one on the 11th for a check up about the whole dry eyes thing.

 

[bradley]

lol sorry didnt realise

 

[kirmit]

i just thought if the ointment helped with her dry eyes wouldn't it help to keep her behind moist??

 

[kinyonga]

I was told that you shouldn't use a medicated ointment for something like this. K-Y jelly is likely okay.

If it is the beginning of a prolapse, it needs to be looked after ASAP...not in a week or so.

 

[jojackson]

It may simply be a lack of moisture in the diet causing constipation/straining to defecate.
If left without help it will worsen, leading to prolapse.
Whats its droppings been like? what color is the uraic acid? Is there undigested food in the stool? How much is it drinking? Are you gutloading its insects with moist foods?
how do you provide water?

Eye ointment on its bum wont help. You need to determin and fix the cause, not the symptoms. A vet visit to confirm the problem couldnt hurt.

 

[kirmit]

Well about 2 weeks ago she got really picky and started to eat only worms. *Is there things I can feed worms to gut load?* I just started back with the crickets 2 days ago along with a new full creen cage. She has been doing great except for the bum thing. but her droppings look normal, white, no undigested food. she goes every day still. I'm not sure if shes having problems going cuz Iv never seen her do it yet. lol she has been drinking allot of water, i have a little dripper system that i sometimes use and i also spray the cage sevral times a day.


thanks for your help!!

 

[Rocky]

A picture would help us tell you exactly what it is. If it is infact a prolapse she needs to goto the vet immediately and you need to put ky on it or some type of lubricant to keep it moist. I've never seen it happen in chameleons but i've seen it happen to a pig and it is not a pretty site once it gets bad

 

[kirmit]

I have noticed when ever she goes to the bathroom it gets smaller...

 

[Pure]

Still get a picture and put some KY on it asap. Time is really of the essence and here you are on day 2 with little to no action on your part. You don't have much time with this. If this is a prolapse and the tissue dries out. It will die, and without complicated (not likely to ever happen on a reptile) surgery your cham will die.

Regardless if this is a prolapse or not. The chance that it could be means you should put the KY on it and keep it moist until what it is can be determined. By either some one here or preferably by a qualified vet. If some one here can verify it as a prolapse, then you are going to have no choice but to take it to the vet.

 

[kirmit]

ok i well get a pic asap for you guys. i dont have a cord for my camera right now. what kind of ky stuff should i use?? any names in particular? lol