School's Veiled anus problem?

[The Fryman]

Hi all,

I am posting this on behalf of the veiled chameleon who lives in my university's science building. I don't know the specifics of his cage except that it is all glass sides and he seems to have proper lighting.

I don't think this looks healthy at all, it has been a problem for a few weeks, some days it looks better and some days it looks worse. I worry for this guy because I never see food in his owls, or live food, or a dripper/ ice cubes on top when I stop by. The owners have their contact info posted, so I might send them an email or something if we can figure out what the problem is. It's sad to see a creature like this being improperly cared for.

It seems like he is pushing something out of his anus (I think that's the proper term?). It looks fleshy, I'm worried it could be something serious.


Sorry the picture's not better, he's in a glass display in a glass cage, so this is the best I could do.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Dez]

It looks like it may be a prolapse. Did the fleshy part go back in or did it just stay out?

 

[kinyonga]

Can't tell if it's a prolapse or a plug from the photo. If it's a prolapse the tissue needs to be kept moist wih KY jelly and the chameleon taken to the vet's right away.

 

[The Fryman]

Ah that picture is much worse on here than on my computer even. I don't know what it looks like now, I'll check tomorrow after my physics class.

I remember something that happened about a month and a half ago that I forgot to mention. One of the people who takes care of this guy had him out one day and pulled something out of his anus that was stuck that looked about the size of a normal sized turd but was light brown and fleshy. The chameleon was bleeding a little bit afterwards. The whole time I kept thinking that he shouldn't have done that, but didn't speak up. I would assume this is related, thanks for the help so far.

 

[The Fryman]

Also I didn't know what a prolapse was until you guys said it... in person I would say that's almost certainly what it is, although I am going to check tomorrow.

 

[kinyonga]

If you leave it without keeping it moist it will become neurotic. If it's a hemepene prolapse it will be able to be amputated and the chameleon should live without it....but if it's intestinal its a different story. If it's a prolapse you need to get it to a vet ASAP. If it's a plug it still won't hurt for you to keep it moist until you find out that's what it is.

 

[ChameleonMom]

This Cham needs a vet ASAP! I think you should contact the owners and let them know that their Cham needs medical attention and if they don't take proper care of their reptile you will take it home with you and give it the love and care it requires!! See if that gets them off their asses to care for it properly!

Thanks for being concerned....poor little guy!

 

[DavidBuchan]

It does look very much like a prolapse, needing veterinary attention. By the way, it's called a cloaca in reptiles (and amphibians and birds) - one opening for all waste disposal and reproductive needs.
It sounds like he's been badly looked after. Someone needs to take a look at this basic caresheet for Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[The Fryman]

Thanks again for all the posts, I took a picture today and things have only gotten worse.

I think its safe to say this is a prolapse, I'm going to contact the owners tomorrow. It irks me that people can't be responsible for their animals, I've only been a chameleon owner for 3 months but it's not that hard to understand basic care and see when an animal is clearly sick.

 

[Mystic]

I am still learning alot about chameleons, I have read that males can pass sperm plugs. Would that be what the owner pulled out and injured his rear? From this picture its trying its best to heal on its own. He really does need a vet asap. If it was me seeing this at my school. I would contact the animal cruelty control on the owner. I would aslo ask to take over ownership to mend him back to health. Poor guy.. Hang in there buddy !!! Anyone else think it could be a stuck sperm plug that he yanked out and caused damage to the little guy?

 

[The Fryman]

I am still learning alot about chameleons, I have read that males can pass sperm plugs. Would that be what the owner pulled out and injured his rear? From this picture its trying its best to heal on its own. He really does need a vet asap. If it was me seeing this at my school. I would contact the animal cruelty control on the owner. I would aslo ask to take over ownership to mend him back to health. Poor guy.. Hang in there buddy !!! Anyone else think it could be a stuck sperm plug that he yanked out and caused damage to the little guy?

I guess that could have been a sperm plug, does anyone have any pictures or know what these look like?

 

[Mystic]

they have different types of sperm plugs from different species. Here is a link that would give you a wide variaty of pictures to look at to compare of what you seen the owner take out.
http://www.picstopin.com/448/sperm-plug/http:||gallery*pethobbyist*com|data|74220sperm_plug-med*jpg/

 

[The Fryman]

they have different types of sperm plugs from different species. Here is a link that would give you a wide variaty of pictures to look at to compare of what you seen the owner take out.
http://www.picstopin.com/448/sperm-plug/http:||gallery*pethobbyist*com|data|74220sperm_plug-med*jpg/

One of those pictures looks very similar.. had to laugh at some of them though haha.
Thanks a lot though, I'm sure that's what it was. Still, not too helpful to the current situation =/

 

[The Fryman]

So I just sent this email,

"I am sending this email on behalf of the veiled chameleon in the science building, as I am very worried for his health. It looks like he is suffering from a prolapse, which is essentially when an internal organ protrudes out of the rectum rectum. As I said before I am very worried for this guy, this is a serious medical ailment and I think he needs veterinary attention ASAP. I also have noticed that he doesn't ever seem to have food in his cage or a drip system whenever I stop by, I find it sad to see such an amazing creature being mistreated. I'm not trying to point any fingers, I don't know who takes care of him and when, but as a fellow veiled owner, I really think something needs to be done."

I'll keep you guys posted on what happens, hopefully this gets something done.

 

[Kate]

Thanks for doing that. Hope something happens soon.

 

[pssh]

That's so sad. If it has been out for several weeks, it will probably need to be amputated. That is the best looking hemipenal prolapse I have seen that has been out for an extended period of time without a lube on it though. Usually they get necrotic pretty fast and turn black or purple or brown and shrivel up.