Rescued Jackson's Health Check

[Wrobio]

Hi, I unexpectedly took in four Jackson's chameleons a couple of days ago. 2 males and 2 females. They were in a pet store receiving minimal care, very low humidity, housed in a trio with the second male alone, all with little area to hide. The crickets they were eating were gut loaded with zoo Med cricket food.
The store had to move but had no new location, so we took in what we could. I posted pictures in the enclosures thread of how I have them now (https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/rescued-jacksons-habitat-assessment.149054/). They are all drinking, and have all eaten at least once since they arrived. Two of them I have some concerns about and wanted to get the opinions of more experienced keepers. There have not been a ton of poops to inspect. After they had an initial shower there were a couple very watery poops. Since then there have been alright, perhaps slightly soft poops.

First there is this male. He was very feisty at first. Today he didn't move around a lot and was sleeping during the day. I decided to give him an inspection. In addition to him going to sleep on my hand twice I found this hanging out of this cloaca:

I removed it with tissue and it was pretty solid, not hard, and not much bigger than you can see. Maybe about a centimeter.

Anyone have a clue about what it might be?

Then there is this female, she looks gravid to me. But I've never hung around with gravid chameleons much so I'm no expert. Any input is appreciated:

If there are specific pictures that would help I am happy to provide them. I am just trying to disturb them as little as possible.

Thanks!

 

[KLowery88]

The thing you pulled out of the male looks like a sperm plug to me. Once you have them hydrated and stabilized they could probably use a fecal check. The sleeping during the day is never a good sign.

As for the female, she does look round but with skinny legs. Hopefully one of the more experienced members will chime in, but since she was housed with a male I would assume she is.

 

[Wrobio]

The thing you pulled out of the male looks like a sperm plug to me. Once you have them hydrated and stabilized they could probably use a fecal check. The sleeping during the day is never a good sign.

As for the female, she does look round but with skinny legs. Hopefully one of the more experienced members will chime in, but since she was housed with a male I would assume she is.

Sperm plug! That seem right. fecal check does sound like a good plan. Thanks.

I guess for now I'll just keep an eye on the female and see what happens, and give the little guy some closer attention making sure he is still drinking.

Thanks!

 

[Carlton]

Yes she looks gravid to me as well. Jax don't lay eggs, so she may or may not produce live young. Give her privacy and the best habitat you can (humidity, good diet, correct lighting, etc) and hope she can release her babies OK.

 

[FREDCO]

make him drink and heat him just a bit more than normal. And let him cool during 24/48 h without trying to touch him. Second, if you can, Ultra Vitalux 1 hour/day. Buy one quickly. You should see a real difference. Good luck

 

[Wrobio]

Thanks for the replies. He drank a lot more today when offered a dripper and perked up a ton. I think their room was also not cooling enough at night. I spent some time around a dwarf jax years ago, she was happiest when the temp got way down to about 60 at night. I have better air circulation in their room now as well.

make him drink and heat him just a bit more than normal. And let him cool during 24/48 h without trying to touch him. Second, if you can, Ultra Vitalux 1 hour/day. Buy one quickly. You should see a real difference. Good luck

I don't know that I'll be able to get him that bulb, but we do have good weather coming up for them all to get out in the sun everyday for the next couple weeks.

Yes she looks gravid to me as well. Jax don't lay eggs, so she may or may not produce live young. Give her privacy and the best habitat you can (humidity, good diet, correct lighting, etc) and hope she can release her babies OK.

I'm definitely more concerned with her being able to comfortably release the babies than them being viable. Baby chameleons are adorable, but that's a whole new challenge. Any thoughts at all on how close to popping she looks?