Vent Problems!

[Miss Lily]

The last few times Amy has pooped I've noticed a tiny smear of blood on the branch where she wipes her vent after pooping! I actually caught her mid-poop this morning and the inside of her vent looks very red/bloody. There is no blood in or on her urates or poop at all, just on the branch after wiping.

It is NOT a prolapse - everything tucks back in as it should and there are no other outward signs and her outer vent is tight and clean. At first I thought maybe a piece of feeder had nicked the skin, or maybe she hurt herself whilst wiping on the vines. She doesn't eat anything hard-bodied that could have caused this - I even take off the hopping legs from locusts and crickets before I feed them to her, I always have. She is eating, drinking and pooping just fine and isn't stressed at all. Temps are low 80's max in the hottest part of the cage and she spends most of the day up there. Food is always fully digested too. Humidity ranges from 40% to 70% after misting, but usually stays around 50%. The UV tube has only just been replaced a month ago.

Anyone seen this before? Here's a couple of pics, and although they are not that clear, I hope they may be useful! I only see the red area when the vent is fully open and as it retracts after pooping.

 

[jannb]

Could be parasites. Has she had a fecal lately? I would take her to the vets. You don't want anything to happen to Amy.

 

[Miss Lily]

She's never had a fecal. Her poops are well formed and don't smell, so it hadn't crossed my mind. I don't really want her treated for parasites after what happened with Lily. I know we hear it all the time, but I really can't get to a vets - my car is snowed in! Probably won't be able to move it until next week. I could always walk a sample to the surgery though if needs be. It's too far to walk with her - daytime temps are hovering at or below freezing right now! Like I said, she is well enough in herself.

 

[jannb]

Luie had coccidia twice and both my chams have had pin worms and hook worms before. I have fecals done every few months. My female came loaded with them when I bought her and their poop never had an odor and I pick up poop just about as soon as it falls. My vet says parasites come from what they eat and no matter how careful I am that they can still get parasites.

 

[Miss Lily]

Anyone else got any input?

 

[Julirs]

I second the fecal-they can be really telling.

 

[laurie]

Sorry Tiff, I don't have much to offer. I did discover parasites when i had a routine fecal. I had no idea. I only had to use panacur - no ill effects on the cham. We are up to -20 so i am like you, I could not take any chams to the vet right now - 51/2 hours each way!!!!!!! That is not going to happen.

Just wait om Any, it sounds like she will be fine until a vet visit is safe. She knows you are there for her.

 

[ijmccollum]

looks pretty raw. fecals are definately in order. as cold as it is, take the poo not the cham in -- you will need to catch it before it hits a contamination site/point and have it stained as soon as possible. Best to you and yours.

 

[samthecham]

I agree, the best thing is to take a fecal sample to the vet. Until she is diagnosed, there is not much we can do to help you.

 

[moody232002]

i hate to say it tiff but i agree with the others,we both know how horrible it is to lose our girls to parasites and the fear for you with a possible overdose is very scary.However it's best to be safe and it may not even be that but at least your mind will be at rest.
The snow is a pain we got some more this morning and looks like more on the way later today.

 

[ijmccollum]

I understand that the UK is undergoing a record winter -- and with a sick cham that stinks! So... what about if the cham seems to be steady for now, can she use polysporin to keep any bacterial infection in check (due to irritation/rubbing) till she can get a fecal to a vet? ...and of course extraspecial attention to care.... Ideas, Q's, input? Was there something called Rept-Aid that helped with cociddia?

 

[sandy mackie]

hello Tiff ,i wish i could help but i dont know anything about parasites.my vet said panacur was really safe for most animals.I hope she gets well soon.Our weather has reached record temps , ive never known this amount of snow in scotland and down south.nobody was prepared for it .

 

[thealissa]

I understand that the UK is undergoing a record winter -- and with a sick cham that stinks! So... what about if the cham seems to be steady for now, can she use polysporin to keep any bacterial infection in check (due to irritation/rubbing) till she can get a fecal to a vet? ...and of course extraspecial attention to care.... Ideas, Q's, input? Was there something called Rept-Aid that helped with cociddia?

No, Repta-Aid is for malnourishment and/or dehydration only.

 

[justjumpit621]

No, Repta-Aid is for malnourishment and/or dehydration only.

I think they meant reptaid. It is claimed to fight parasites and be an overall boosting herbal treatment. I found it works well with Molly although she has never been tested for parasites. Molly had this same exact problem a month or two ago. I found it went away on it's own actually, but that was just my experience.

 

[Miss Lily]

No, Repta-Aid is for malnourishment and/or dehydration only.

I think they meant reptaid. It is claimed to fight parasites and be an overall boosting herbal treatment. I found it works well with Molly although she has never been tested for parasites. Molly had this same exact problem a month or two ago. I found it went away on it's own actually, but that was just my experience.

Did you do anything to help Molly? Do you have any pics? I don't know if i can get Reptaid in the UK - we can get Critical Care Formula but that is only for use when they are really poorly. I am not overly concerned as she is still her normal self. Didn't see her vent today as I was out when she pooped!

 

[justjumpit621]

I didn't do anything. I only have a pic of it on her poop but you can still see a little bit of blood that rubbed off. I started giving her reptaid a month ago but it had stopped before then. Reptaid ships worldwide if you want to try it on her. It would not hurt. Here is the website that explains it: http://www.reptaid.com/
I would bring her to the vet just in case once your car is plowed out though. She should be fine until then if it is the same thing.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Getting a fecal test done, when the snow receeds enough for you to get out, would be a wise move. If parasites are the problem, that's the only way to find out for sure, and to know which parasite it might be.

I've used both pannacur and Reptaid to clear pinworms. No issues with either product.

 

[jojackson]

Rug up Lil, get that sample (prefrably with blood) over to the vets. asap. I know how fond of your lizards you are. X'ing my fingers all goes well, best wishes

 

[Miss Lily]

I didn't do anything. I only have a pic of it on her poop but you can still see a little bit of blood that rubbed off. I started giving her reptaid a month ago but it had stopped before then. Reptaid ships worldwide if you want to try it on her. It would not hurt. Here is the website that explains it: http://www.reptaid.com/
I would bring her to the vet just in case once your car is plowed out though. She should be fine until then if it is the same thing.

Amy doesn't actually pass any blood like your pic, nor is there any on or in the poop or urates. It's just on the inside of her vent and leaves a mark when she wipes on the branch after. It is literally on a tiny smear, nowhere near as much as Molly had.

Rug up Lil, get that sample (prefrably with blood) over to the vets. asap. I know how fond of your lizards you are. X'ing my fingers all goes well, best wishes

There is a place in the UK that send out sample collecting kits and you post off the sample - you get the results back in a few days to take to the vets for a prescription/treatment. Trouble is no post is being collected or delivered on the Island as the minor roads are still treacherous! I will get a sample off the that place or the vets as soon as I am able to.

 

[jannb]

Tiff, don't wait. The vet can do the fecal in about ten minutes in the office......they just look under a microscope and provide the proper med. The poop needs to be fresh.