Tongue problem and Montana vet recommendations

[USSTrioceros]

This is the style I have in there now. He just doesn't seem to be figuring it out. :-/

 

[jannb]

Please post some recent photos of Phineas.

 

[ehdee6]

Could it be the size of the feeders? Have you tried using smaller ones like fruit flies or bean weevils? Just from observing my chams eating, I know they use their tongue quite a bit to move their food in their mouths too. Maybe the smaller feeders will help?

 

[USSTrioceros]

Could it be the size of the feeders? Have you tried using smaller ones like fruit flies or bean weevils? Just from observing my chams eating, I know they use their tongue quite a bit to move their food in their mouths too. Maybe the smaller feeders will help?

Fruit flies would be too small, honestly. I have been using smaller crickets and roaches. He just can't seem to catch them yet.

@jannb I'll get some currently photos tonight before his lights shut off.

 

[USSTrioceros]

He could be doing a lot worse. Every 3-4 days, he gets supplemented wih his "soup" so his weight has been good. He even has started shedding recently. He just hasn't gotten himself coordinated between speed and grabbing with his mouth. I am not ready to give up on him.

 

[Beman]

He could be doing a lot worse. Every 3-4 days, he gets supplemented wih his "soup" so his weight has been good. He even has started shedding recently. He just hasn't gotten himself coordinated between speed and grabbing with his mouth. I am not ready to give up on him.

View attachment 363976

Is his lip line swollen?

 

[USSTrioceros]

Is his lip line swollen?

No. It's just the angle.

Good news, though! I got him to take 3 freshly dead crickets from me today. I have fat finger syndrome and tend to drop bugs, so between me and him sorting out how to grab them, we did a good job. Gold stars for both of us!

 

[Beman]

No. It's just the angle.

Good news, though! I got him to take 3 freshly dead crickets from me today. I have fat finger syndrome and tend to drop bugs, so between me and him sorting out how to grab them, we did a good job. Gold stars for both of us!

Whatever works right lol. Have you tried silkworms? Soft bodied small feeders work well with a mouth that is healing. They dont suction the way a hornworm will so you could let him free feed off a feeder run that he can get up close to.

 

[USSTrioceros]

Whatever works right lol. Have you tried silkworms? Soft bodied small feeders work well with a mouth that is healing. They dont suction the way a hornworm will so you could let him free feed off a feeder run that he can get up close to.

I have, but he doesn't want them. Not even horn worms, which he used to love. I should try them again though. What do you mean by feeder run? I've not heard that phrase before.

 

[Beman]

I have, but he doesn't want them. Not even horn worms, which he used to love. I should try them again though. What do you mean by feeder run? I've not heard that phrase before.

Full throttle feeders are great... put a branch right up to them so he can get close. https://www.fullthrottlefeeders.com/