Tongue Issues.

UrbanChameleon

UrbanChameleon

New Member
I just wanted to give an update and see if you guys had any thoughts.

About a week ago, Loki started having issues with his tongue. He began to miss a few feeders, and it hasn't let up. He is still able to eat, but something clearly isn't right. On some shots, his tongue only goes out an inch.

I've been searching mercilessly through the forums, trying to figure out what could be going on. At first, I thought it was an injury. However, his symptoms have not let up. I read that it could be a possible infection, which is what I'm leaning towards now.

I called the nearest herp vet, which I've never been too. Please keep him in your thoughts. They only see reptiles on Tues. and Thurs. His appointment on Tuesday at 3 PM. I'm worried that his ailment might progress in the mean time. I hope his tongue/mouth doesn't get worse, considering he will need to eat in the coming days. I'm also hoping that his tongue isn't swollen. I don't want him to choke, or have trouble breathing.

Does anyone know what could cause such issues? I haven't seen this vet before, and I want to make sure I don't walk out of there empty handed. I'm guessing infection, supplement issues, injury, MBD. Am I missing any? Information, treatment suggestions, possible tests to run, and medication advice would be greatly appreciated. Any info at all.

Thanks guys.
 
How are his eyes? Have you noticed that he misses to the left or right?

Fenix doesn't miss but he has what I consider a "lazy" tongue. It's like slow motion. Walker on the other hand has a laser tongue! Funny thing is, is that Fenix eats 20+ crix/day and Walker might eat 10. Interesting observations...
 
maxttu said:
How are his eyes? Have you noticed that he misses to the left or right?

Fenix doesn't miss but he has what I consider a "lazy" tongue. It's like slow motion. Walker on the other hand has a laser tongue! Funny thing is, is that Fenix eats 20+ crix/day and Walker might eat 10. Interesting observations...
Click to expand...


sandrachameleon said:
The causes, as you've noticed in your reading Im sure, for tongue issues can vary greatly. Here is a blog entry where I listed those that I had heard of:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/232-tongue-troubles.html

Dont discount the easy stuff, like dehydration. Extra water is unlikely to hurt, and might just help!
Click to expand...

His eyes seem to be doing okay. Eyes and Vit A deficiency were one of the first things I looked into. From where I've been sick, I've been able to observe him constantly this week. I haven't seen any signs of his eyes being "off". I decided that it most likely wasn't the cause, when he could barely extend his tongue. That led me to believe that it could be supplement related, injury, or infection.

I've been supplementing him with Repashy Calcium Plus since I got him. Along with plain calcium. I was given pure Vit A from the breeder when he was shipped to me. I've not used it on him since he gets Calcium Plus regularly. Since all of this came about, I've been giving him regular calcium. Although, I gave him some Calcium Plus yesterday. I'm afraid my supplement schedule isn't appropriate for him.

His main gutloads include: Cricket Crack, Dinofuel Raptor, fresh fruits & veggies, and Repashy Superload on lesser occasions.

I moved him up to larger crickets just three weeks ago. This is why injury was my first guess. But I'm not a doctor, so I can't run any tests to figure this out.

Just as a side note, over this past month, he stopped producing daily fecals. Now he is pooping about every 2-3 days. His urates used to be white as paper, they have more of an orangish tint to them. I ordered Silkworms because they keep him extremely hydrated, but his urates have continued looking a bit orange. I assume this could be caused due to his fecals staying in his body longer. Also, I've been running his Mistking and a dripper everyday.

I have some Reptaid at the house. It seems to really help with energy, eating, hydrating, and claims to help the immune system. I have yet to use it on him. I'm not sure if it would be a good idea. I know it works, but I don't want to taint any tests the vet may run. Plus, I only have one unused needle left. I like to inject the cricket with the proper amount, as to not try and force the animal to take it.

Are there any tests/scans that the vet should run? What would be the best course of action to find out what the problem is?
 
Loki just pooped. I don't see the vet until Tuesday, but I'm afraid this will be the last fecal before we go. Should I put it in a ziploc, or will that be completely useless?
 
I've had two with tongue problems over the last few years, and it has always been from a strain.

I always try to watch all my chams eat when I feed them, and every so often they will shoot at a bug that is really clinging on to the screen, and this causes them to have a tough time contracting the muscle back into the mouth.

This has only happened twice, but each time it went away in 6-8 weeks; during that time I either cut the legs off of bugs, or hand fed them so they weren't using their tongue much (depends how bad the tongue is). Then I would hand-place bugs in front of them, gradually placing them further and further away so they could exercise their tongue before going all out with it.

You're right to be hydrating him more and using plain calcium instead as well IMO. I like Reptaid too, it might help. I prefer to place it right on the tongue either while they are drinking or if they are hissing at me.

Goodluck!
 
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