Tumor :(

[Kushmaestro]

So I just got back from getting a tumor removed from my year and a half old veiled. What are the chances it's cancerous? I chose not to send a tissue sample to be tested for financial reasons, and knowing if it's cancerous wont help anything if it is. Also for the past 3-4 days he hasn't been eating, but is still drinking well. Any advice?

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the Chameleon Forums. I am sorry to hear that your little guy is not well. I personally think you should have some how come up with the money to send it to the lab. If you found out exactly what it was then he could receive the proper treatment.

 

[BeBoSON]

The only way to tell if the tumor is cancerous or benign is to get it tested.

Hopefully everything works out

 

[thephotoprincess]

Sorry to hear about your chameleon.

I would keep him well-hydrated and offer some favorite treats to try to get him to eat. Mine will always gobble up silkworms.

You may want to try Reptaid. It won't cure cancer but can help fight any infection and works as an appetite stimulant.
http://www.reptaid.com/

Good luck!

 

[jannb]

Did your vet put him on an antibiotic?

I would do at Photoprincess said and try to get him to eat.

 

[Kushmaestro]

Thanks for the help,
I was going to get the tissue sample done but the price was already over a hundred dollars over their estimate for the surgery. If it had been an option I would have.
The vet put him on Baytril and a pain med called Metacam.
Tomorrow ill try to get some Reptaid.

 

[jannb]

Both of those meds are very good. I have used both. It's very important to keep him well hydrated when on the Baytril. You might try giving him some water with a plastic eye dropper. Don't use glass because he could break it and get glass in his mouth. Give him the water slowly one drop at a time so he want asperate. I'd also recommend getting a different feeder that he hasn't has in awhile. Most of my old or sick ones really go for the green hornworms.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

It's impossible to give you the odds of it being cancerous or not since tumors are not very common in reptiles and there are no statistics on them available since most people either chose to do nothing about them (bravo for getting it removed!) or chose not to send it off for analysis so they always remain a mystery. Based on what I've seen I would bet cancerous, but that doesn't necessarily mean the same thing in reptiles as mammals because we don't know which ones metastasize (spread) rapidly, and if so to where, or tend to just be in one site so it's removed and cured. Again, because people don't send them off. Sorry.

 

[Kushmaestro]

It's now been four days since his tumor was removed. He's still on Baytril and metacam. He's now eating regularly and seems to be quite healthy. He's even gaining weight! Thank you all for the friendly advice.

 

[jannb]

That's great news! Thank you for the update.

 

[K9Luvn]

I'm so glad he is feeling better. Hopefully he will continue to be healthy and continue give you more happiness