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REPTILES are becoming increasingly popular as pets. The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus ) is a commonly kept species due to its docile nature and fascinating appearance. Because more is known regarding the captive husbandry of these inoffensive creatures, they are living to a greater age in captivity and, as a result, are presenting with previously less described conditions. This short communication describes the presentation and investigation of a case of lockjaw in an adult veiled chameleon.
A three-year-old male veiled chameleon ( Fig 1 ) was presented because the owner had noted a progressive difficulty in the chameleon's ability to open its mouth. As a result, it was unable to feed. Previously, the chameleon had been treated for stomatitis and glossitis. On examination, the chameleon was bright and alert. Its bodyweight was 134 g and its body condition score was 2.5/6. An effort was made to open the chameleon's mouth. Despite reasonable force, the mouth could be opened only 3 mm while the lizard was conscious. No other abnormalities were detected on clinical examination. The chameleon was admitted to the hospital for investigations including blood biochemistry, haematology, radiography and examination of the buccal cavity under anaesthesia.
Fig 1
Three-year-old veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus ) on presentation
Blood was drawn from the ventral coccygeal vein and submitted for routine biochemistry and haematology. No significant abnormalities were detected on either panel. The chameleon was then anaesthetised using alfaxalone (Alfaxan; Vetoquinol) at a dose of 3 mg/kg ( Rowland 2009 ) administered into the ventral coccygeal vein. Anaesthesia was monitored using a combination of reflexes and auscultation of the heart. The chameleon continued to breathe spontaneously throughout anaesthesia. Despite considerable force being applied using a rodent mouth gag, it was impossible to open the chameleon's mouth more than 3 to 4 mm. Attempts to open the mouth were abandoned as it was considered that further force would risk serious trauma to the animal. Lateral and dorsoventral radiographs of the...