Pgymy Tongue Emergency

[insert name here]

I just ordered another pair of pygmys from LLL reptile and the male arrived with his tongue totally hanging out and all dried up. I already contacted LLL and they said they would give me a refund for him.

But I dont know what to do right now. Should I cut off the dried tongue part and see if he can eat without it? Humanley kill him? I dont know what to do.

 

[reyesjoshuacruz]

what have you done so far. pic? hows the belly size? are the eyes open? are the eyes full and plump or sunken in? Can you see his rib bones?

Chameleons have survived with part of the tounge removed. but we cant say if that is whats best

 

[insert name here]

Im uploading some pics right now. His eyes are sunken. He is definately dehydrated.

 

[insert name here]

These pictures ARE graphic.

The end of his tongue is stuck to the paper as well.

 

[AJA]

Have you tried dripping some water into his mouth to moisten it up a bit?

 

[insert name here]

I have not yet. But I will. I just dont know how much good it would do because his tongue is completly shriveled and dried.

 

[Chris Anderson]

Based on the photos, I doubt there is any saving the tongue. It is extremely dried out and likely dead at this point. Try to moisten it and I would obviously recommend seeing a vet but it will likely need to be amputated and antibiotics administered to prevent infection. There really is no telling how well this cham will do if it is able to recover. Most cases where chameleons have survived without part of their tongues includes daily hand feeding (something I doubt a pygmy would take well to).

Chris

 

[insert name here]

I just think handfeeding would be too hard for a pygmy. And I doubt there is anyway I can just cut his tongue off. But based on the vet bills and the cost of the animal I personally do not want to go the vet route, and I know that is horrible to consider a life like that. Just please dont turn this thread into a debate about life. I just need to know the most humane thing to do with him at this point.

 

[insert name here]

Any more advice on what to do?

 

[Julirs]

If it were me, and I have a great relationship with my Vet, I would take him in and put him down. My Vet would probably not charge me for such a tiny animal. All things considered I just do not think it would be worth the expense and the sucess rate would be too small not to mention the stress to the animal.

 

[insert name here]

Alright. Thank you.