Possible gravid veiled Cham

[kinyonga]

In the x-ray are the "eggs" all oval or are some of them round?

The chameleon should have laid all the eggs at once in the first place. If you have been moving her in and out of the bin or she has seen you watching her when she was digging you may have caused her not to lay them all. That being said, the oxytocin should have made her lay all the retained eggs. I think if you leave her until after the weekend the oxytocin won't help and if she still has eggs she may need to have them removed surgically or be spayed. I'm not sure the oxytocin will even help if it was given again right now. (I wish I was a vet!)
There is also a possibility that some of the "eggs" are follicles and aren't ready to be laid...which is why I asked you if the "eggs" were round or oval.

I wish I could be of more help.

 

[Melina]

Thanks for replying. The vet never specified whether the eggs were round or oval but i'm guessing he would have said if they were follicles and not ready to be laid (he's the consultant vet for a local zoo that keep exotics). The vet wasn't available when we collected her and i can't speak to him until tomorrow - so frustrating The vet said she is laying them slower than he would like that's why he gave her 2 lots of oxytocin.
She feels lumpy and the lumps seem to be egg shaped so it's probably a good bet that they are actually eggs. I have been giving her liquid calcium as this has seemed to keep her perky, lots of water and a higher humidity.
She seems ok this morning and is basking happily and has eaten lots too, but i'm so worried. Do you know of a success rate for cesareans in chameleons? I'm guessing it's an incredibly risking procedure. I don't won't to lose her - this is killing me

 

[Melina]

Another update. Woke this morning to find she had been sick and was cowering in the corner. Rushed her to vet who said she still seems strong so he's going to try oxytocin again before surgery as last resort. Seems you were right Kinyonga - he said that there seems to be a lot of follicles developing which are causing a lot of the problems. I'm praying that she makes it through this - we keep telling ourselves that she's gone to 'egg camp' and that she will be back soon.

 

[jannb]

I will keep good thoughts for you and your girl. Keep us updated.

 

[Melina]

Thank you so much - you guys have been a real source of support throughout all this. She has received another maximum dose of oxytocin today and only passed 2 eggs as a result. Vet looking at surgery in the morning - i'm praying with every ounce of my being that she makes it through this - i honestly will give her all the waxies she wants!!

 

[Melina]

Hi guys - just to keep you updated. Dolly went in for surgery at lunchtime and the vet is pleased with how it went. Apparently her left ovary was producing eggs as normal (hence the ones she was laying) but her right had become abnormal through a low grade infection which caused it to produce excessive amounts of abnormal follicles and eggs. It would have eventually killed her so we are glad it was caught in time. They are breathing for her and keeping her unconscious for the next few hours so we are not out of the woods yet. Some haemorrhaging during the operation was a little concerning but i hope she will pull through.

 

[jannb]

Hope Dolly shows improvement and has a full recovery.

 

[Melina]

Thank you - she is now breathing unaided and her colour is good. Hoping to visit tomorrow - i miss her

 

[kinyonga]

If your vet is good she should have a good chance of recovery as long as it was caught in time. Fingers crossed and thumbs pressed for a good recovery!
Lately there have been a lot more successes in reproductive surgery in chameleons.

 

[Melina]

Hi all. Dolly is finally home and not looking too bad considering. Hopefully i'll post a pic of her stitches later and you can see it ain't that pretty! She drinking lots and eating as well as the vet and I are hopeful that she can get through this. Thanks for all your advice everyone