Tounge Issue

[soundofspeed]

While I look for a quality vet I thought I would see what you guys think.
I have a year old panther. The problem is when he catches prey with his tongue he has problems bringing in the last 1/2 inch of his tongue. The tongue shoots out still and he has no problem catching crickets. It is just once he gets to the last 1/2 of his tongue with the prey on it he has problems bringing it in. I seen him climbing around fast before he brings it in like he is trying to push it in.

He has reptile sun 5.0. Basking spot of around 88-90 and gradual temp drop through the cage. I supplement with all the regular supplements calcium with D3 and without. I just started adding herptivite not sure if not having that affected him. I mist 3 times a day for a good 3-5mins. I just started to mist more because he had some yellow in the white part of his poo. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Is this a sudden change, or has the problem got gradually worse over time?

 

[Sancho]

Sounds like he might of injured it at one point going after food or something. Pictures? Also a vet visit sounds like a plus

 

[sandrachameleon]

Not to be alarmist, but one (of many) possibilities is hypocalcaemia or vitamin deficiency.

Nutritional deficiencies (insufficient calcium or vitamins) are typically a slower, more chronic loss of tongue function. The chameleon tongue's aim may become misguided, or the tongue's reach gradually decreases until the chameleon can project it just a little or not at all.

Missing the insects is often a sign of a deficiency in B vitamins (and sometimes vitamin A deficiency).

A good supplement or improved gutload containing these vitamins usually helps within a couple weeks if vitamin deficiency is the reason and the case is not too far gone.

Other possibilities are mouth or tongue infection or abscesses, damage to the tongue itself (hit something sharp or cricket leg spines), parasites,...

There are a couple threads related to tongue issues already - try a search
here's one
https://www.chameleonforums.com/tongue-retraction-problems-thoughts-14556/

A vet visit is a good idea. Where do you live? Perhaps someone can recommend a vet near you

 

[Sancho]

Not to be alarmist, but one (of many) possibilities is hypocalcaemia or vitamin deficiency.

Nutritional deficiencies (insufficient calcium or vitamins) are typically a slower, more chronic loss of tongue function. The chameleon tongue's aim may become misguided, or the tongue's reach gradually decreases until the chameleon can project it just a little or not at all.

Missing the insects is often a sign of a deficiency in B vitamins (and sometimes vitamin A deficiency).

A good supplement or improved gutload containing these vitamins usually helps within a couple weeks if vitamin deficiency is the reason and the case is not too far gone.

Other possibilities are mouth or tongue infection or abscesses, damage to the tongue itself (hit something sharp or cricket leg spines), parasites,...

Awesome information! That's why I love this site!

 

[soundofspeed]

Is this a sudden change, or has the problem got gradually worse over time?

It just started about a week ago. I live in Southampton PA, I found one in newtown PA that I plan to call tomarrow. Thanks for the info sandrachameleon. I thought I would post this because to me it is weird how he can use his tongue with no problem until he gets to the very end with the prey on it. I will try to get pics at tomorrows feeding.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I really dont know. Could even be a muscle strain.
Is it getting worse? or did it start suddenly a week ago and is remaining the same? And sign of it getting slightly better? Could you cupfeed in the short term to give it time to heal (if that's the problem)

I'd do a vet visit, if it were me. But I jumpto the vet pretty quickly.

 

[NewOwner]

Not to be alarmist, but one (of many) possibilities is hypocalcaemia or vitamin deficiency.

Nutritional deficiencies (insufficient calcium or vitamins) are typically a slower, more chronic loss of tongue function. The chameleon tongue's aim may become misguided, or the tongue's reach gradually decreases until the chameleon can project it just a little or not at all.

Missing the insects is often a sign of a deficiency in B vitamins (and sometimes vitamin A deficiency).

A good supplement or improved gutload containing these vitamins usually helps within a couple weeks if vitamin deficiency is the reason and the case is not too far gone.

Other possibilities are mouth or tongue infection or abscesses, damage to the tongue itself (hit something sharp or cricket leg spines), parasites,...

There are a couple threads related to tongue issues already - try a search
here's one
https://www.chameleonforums.com/tongue-retraction-problems-thoughts-14556/

A vet visit is a good idea. Where do you live? Perhaps someone can recommend a vet near you

Very Great Info, Now i can Say "I learned something today" Your are a Very smart lacy... I am going to try and learn about vitamins i geuss, Thanks for all your info sandra, and like i said You are VERY smart...

I read somewhere about someone else tongue not sticking, im not sure what exactly it was, but im pretty sure it was vitamin defficiency too...

-Levi