Tongue Development

[spearse]

Hi everyone, my 2 1/2 month old panther seems to have a very short tongue. At the most, he can shoot around half an inch. Currently I am cup feeding him, 4 days a week with calcium supp, one day a with calc +d3. Is it too early to tell if his tongue will remain this length? Could it be that as he never has had to use it, it has remained underdeveloped? Anyone has anyone else experienced this??

 

[lysinlight87]

I think your feeding and supplement schedule might need looking at? I think they're supposed to be feed every day at that age, plain calcium every day and D3 every 2 weeks. I have a veiled so I don't know if it's the same for panthers

 

[spearse]

Thanks, he gets fed every day, just 4 days a week with the calcium supplement. I will step up the supplement for a couple of weeks and see how it goes

 

[lysinlight87]

yea, I'd try that I'm no expert, but if he's not getting enough calcium that could affect his ability to extend his tongue because calcium is involved in muscle movement.

Maybe more senior members can offer other suggestions about tongue issues?

 

[spawn]

That's rather strange. Does the tongue itself seem short? Is his neck/sack swollen when he swallows his food? Is it thinner than usual?

 

[spearse]

Its just his tongue that seems short. He's fine with eating, no swelling.