Tongue injury

[Firdaus]

Hi. I recently bought a flap-necked chameleon.
It's the first time that I am caring for a reptile, so I'm not sure about it's age.
I think it's a male.

A day ago, he stuck out his tongue to catch a fly, but then his tongue got stuck between two rocks, by the time I got to him, he'd already moved a bit, so his tongue got stretched. the entire sticky bit was hanging out as well as a red stringy bit, about 5cm long. He didn't seem able to put it back, so I opened his mouth and sort of put his tongue back inside, but now, there's like a V-shaped cartilage/bony projection, in the front of his oral cavity. and he keeps opening his moth as if he's going to gag or retch.

I would really appreciate any help :/

Thanx!!!

 

[Olimpia]

Oh no! I think it sounds like he swallowed his tongue, which should be pulled out immediately. I would run to the vet to have them take care of it!

Tongues can be saved in these situations but it needs professional attention. If not it may have to be amputated (which is not the end for him, chameleons can totally learn to eat like a normal lizard.)

Best of luck!

 

[Firdaus]

Thank You So SO So much! I really appreciate it thanx!

 

[Firdaus]

Hi Olimpia. I managed to pry open my chameleon's mouth. I think he might have eaten his tongue already :/. There's only the bony projection and some blood vessels.
Thank you for the help. He is still able to eat.

 

[Kath44]

He still should go to a vet ASAP. If he has actually broken it off and eaten it, there is an open wound, that will need treatment.
Kath.

 

[Olimpia]

I'm sorry to hear that. Like Kath said, I would still go to the vet and get some antibiotics, perhaps even a stitch. Something like this can get infected, and for the price of $15-20 antibiotics it's worth making sure remaining stump heals without any problems.

I'm one of a few members on here that had a veiled without a tongue (she swallowed hers as well.) The others may pop in as well with similar experiences, or if you search I'm sure our old threads will pop up. But if you have any questions regarding life without a tongue just ask!

 

[symphonica]

I have a panther with a tongue that only extends about 1.5", and shoots out crooked. He came to me this way from the breeder, so I'm not able to help much when it comes to the treatment/healing process. The tip of his tongue is black and split like a snake's. He is able to eat without any problems, but with modifications. He needs his prey in a feeding cup because his tongue doesn't shoot out straight - he can't aim. He would have difficulty capturing his prey if they were able to roam and get away from him. With crickets, I have to pull their back legs off so they can't jump. Feeding cup needs to be shallow enough where he can reach in to get his 1.5" tongue to the prey in it. He really more like scoops it up with his lower jaw while using his tongue to guide it into his mouth. Superworms are easy for him because they're big and easy to scoop up. Smaller prey like wax worms are harder for him.

 

[Firdaus]

Thanx. I will take him ASAP!