Poo - 2nd opinions please

[Bernie]

Hi all...

Over the past few months my 1yr old male panther has been defecating less frequently. At times he can go a week or before he takes a dump. When he does take a dump he tends to do it when he comes out of his cage (triggered by nerves) - never in his cage. This is a slight concern - as he should be going more regularly. Instead he tends to let them build up to a pretty big size before he drops them (usually on me). He never appears to be straining I may add.

Anyway, he came out today and guess what? He dropped his load. However, its been 13-14days since he last did this and he has been eating perfectly normally.

One thing I have noticed the past couple of times he's pooped is that he has passed a very clear watery liquid. His poo and his urates are solid. Is this water?

I have attached a picture of todays droppings. I just want a 2nd opinion on whether he is passing a build-up of water or whether this points to something else which could relate to his slow bowel movements?

I am considering a vet visit, just to be safe, however a second opinion can sometimes ease the worries.

Thanks

 

[jakeg]

Ya mine seems to do the same thing. He goes like a week or more between poops. but when he poops they are huge. His cage temps are from 90 at very top to 75 in bottom during day so plenty warm. He is very active, strong and eats fine. So I too am curious if this can be normal.

 

[Miss Lily]

Tommy ( my 4 year old male veiled) used to go pretty much two weeks between, but he wasn't a big eater either. That urate looks very good if it's been in him that long! The longer they hold it, the more water is absorbed from the urate so it becomes more orange by the time it is passed. My first female was a very good eater and she would only poop every 10 days or so and would drop a huge pile all at once, lol! I think their metabolism sows right down once they reach maturity - Amy stopped eating so much and only shed every 3 months once she got to 6 months old. She would also poop every day until 6 months too.

 

[Bernie]

That urate looks very good if it's been in him that long! The longer they hold it, the more water is absorbed from the urate so it becomes more orange by the time it is passed.

Yes I have been surprised about the colour of the recent urates - I am convinced the recent introduction of silkworms in his diet has helped significantly with drydration. They seem to contain a lot of moisture - and he has never been a great drinker.

 

[patrickfraser]

Silkworms are great for hydrating. Sooooo moist and juicy. Your cham is probably well lubricated and can spare the bit of liquid being expelled. Looks like a healthy poo to me.

 

[Murrdox]

I'm not sure if it is relevant to your problem or not. However, it looks like your chameleon passed a couple sperm plugs in addition to defecating.

Now, it's possible if he had impacted sperm plugs this could cause issues with him urinating or defecating... but since he's obviously passed them, I'm not sure that is the explanation for why he doesn't go more regularly.

Keep an eye out for it in the future? Maybe someone else can shed some light on this.

 

[Bernie]

I'm not sure if it is relevant to your problem or not. However, it looks like your chameleon passed a couple sperm plugs in addition to defecating.

Now, it's possible if he had impacted sperm plugs this could cause issues with him urinating or defecating... but since he's obviously passed them, I'm not sure that is the explanation for why he doesn't go more regularly.

Keep an eye out for it in the future? Maybe someone else can shed some light on this.

I did notice these however didn't really think they could have been related. But now it's been highlighted it's certainly a possibility. Thanks

 

[Miss Lily]

I see the sperm deposits now they have been pointed out. Sperm 'plugs' are formed when the cham doesn't expel those little bits and they build up causing a blockage, and often they protrude from the vent itself and can make the vent quite sore. Tommy used to pass those little bits often and I never saw any signs of having a problem with a build up forming a plug. I have noticed that more Panther owners have posted about sperm plugs than Veiled owners though. There is more info and pics in this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/sperm-plug-do-i-do-anything-16202/