I have a panther chameleon I received from pet co. 2 weeks ago that is only 4 to 6 months old. This is my first chameleon so my husbandry still has some work to be done. But the other day I noticed he was making a very small popping noise when he breathes. He had shed 2 days before i noticed this noise so i was hopping it was just skin flakes. But i got worried about a respitory infection. An after doing plenty of research I figured it'd be best to take him to the vet now especially since he's a young and from pet co. So I took him to the only exotic vet that wasn't 2 weeks booked out in my area. This was only 2 days ago mind you. He acknowledged the popping but said he wanted to wait until he's showing clear symptoms of a respitory infection. Then went on to tell me I probably know more about chameleons than he does judging on the amount of information I displayed. It was pretty upsetting paying $75 just to be told I know more about what's going on than the vet. But I guess my question is should I wait until my cham is 100% sick to get him treated or should I wait 2 weeks until I can get him seen by another vet? Or is there a third solution I'm missing here? Or am i just over reacting entirely? Any help would be awesome
Am I just overreacting?
- Thread starter Anakin541
- Start date
andrearamirezo91
Avid Member
I’d make an appointment for the other vet and take him asap. I don’t know.. I just wouldn’t wanna take my chances.
Its also $65 just for a check up at the other place. And I don't have enough money to waste $65 if he isn't sick or the vet isn't knowledgeable enough
Kristen99
Avid Member
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
Pointing head upward, Excess saliva, Gaping, Noise when breathing, Wheezing, Bubbles in mouth
With chameleons an upper respiratory infection is caused by a bacterial infection on the lungs. URI’s are generally related to improper environmental conditions such as being kept too cold or too wet. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, gaping, excessive mucous in the mouth, discharge from the mouth or nose, popping or wheezing sounds, decreased appetite and reduced activity. An upper respiratory infection requires immediate treatment by a reptile veterinarian as antibiotics to treat the infection are needed. An immediate evaluation of temperatures, humidity and ventilation will assist in healing. If left untreated infection can turn into pneumonia which is more severe and harder to treat prolonging recovery.
This is taken off our Care Resources on medical conditions
Look into getting pet insurance I pay $9 monthly for insurance for my chameleon. These animals aren't cheep to care for. I understand the struggle but you definitely need to see an experienced reptile vet. Maybe @jannb can refer you to someone in your area.
Pointing head upward, Excess saliva, Gaping, Noise when breathing, Wheezing, Bubbles in mouth
With chameleons an upper respiratory infection is caused by a bacterial infection on the lungs. URI’s are generally related to improper environmental conditions such as being kept too cold or too wet. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, gaping, excessive mucous in the mouth, discharge from the mouth or nose, popping or wheezing sounds, decreased appetite and reduced activity. An upper respiratory infection requires immediate treatment by a reptile veterinarian as antibiotics to treat the infection are needed. An immediate evaluation of temperatures, humidity and ventilation will assist in healing. If left untreated infection can turn into pneumonia which is more severe and harder to treat prolonging recovery.
This is taken off our Care Resources on medical conditions
Look into getting pet insurance I pay $9 monthly for insurance for my chameleon. These animals aren't cheep to care for. I understand the struggle but you definitely need to see an experienced reptile vet. Maybe @jannb can refer you to someone in your area.
I'm pretty aware of all those but he's only making a slight popping when breathing. He hasn't shown any more signs than that and that's where I'm facing my problem. Also pet insurance sounds like a great idea
Chameleon Mike
Chameleon Enthusiast
You should fill out the help request form and attach some pics of the chameleon and enclosure.
I live in Eugene Oregon. And yeah I'm learning that fast.
I'm new to the group. How do I go about that?
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Chameleon Mike
Chameleon Enthusiast
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Here’s a list of reptile vets in Oregon. I have insurance on all my chameleons and it’s very affordable and pays really well. I use Nationwide and I believe they are the only ones that cover chameleons.
http://thereptilereport.com/oregon-reptile-veterinary-directory/
Chameleon Info:
Cage Info:
Current Problem - my cham is making a small pop when he breathes but hasn't shown any other signs of ri. vet said he can't treat him until he's visibly sick but also admitted to not knowing anything about chams in specific. Should I sit and wait until my cham is visibly sick or try to get an appointment with the other vet who's booked out for 2 weeks? Am I just overreacting and about to waste a bunch of money?
- Your Chameleon - Male 4-6 month old panther cham. Have had him in my care for 3 weeks.
- Handling - roughly twice a week
- Feeding - Horn worms and super worms. Twice every other day and once every day by hand. with crickets as staple. Crickets fed green apples. I plan on feeding them the orange cubes and different veggies depending on the vitamins I haven't been gut loading them with.
- Supplements - zoo med calciums (with and without d3) and zoo med vitamin supplements. I supplement calcium without d3 for one feeding every other day. I use d3 every other week and vitamins every other week.
- Watering - lil dripper from top of tank to supply water. Also have a spray bottle I use to hand mist for about 5-10 min. Roughly 4 times during his light cycle
- Fecal Description - Dark nrown solid turds with a white thing attached to the end. Poops every 3 days give or take.
- History - captive bred and bought from pet co. Juvinile
Cage Info:
- Cage Type - 16x16x24 zoo med mesh cage.
- Lighting - zoo med mini dual lamp housing with power sun uv mercury vapor bulb and 60 w zoo led heat bulb. I plan on upgrading light set up in future to 5.0 long bulb. From 730 am to 9 pm. I extended it a lil since it's summer but will drop it down once the days get shorter
- Temperature - 70°-95°f with a low of 60°f at night. It is summer and haven't had him during winter yet. I have a analog thermometer near the basking area, an electronic thermometer at the bottom and a laser heat gun to check everything by hand.
- Humidity - 40-70 percent. I try to maintain a 50 and up humidity but don't have an auto sprayer and work during the day, mainting the humidity with the dripper and hand sprayer. I have 2 cheap humidity gauges though.
- Plants - mostly fake plants but I have a star jasmine at the bottom that is the length of the cage. The soil on this plant has been covered with large stones so my chameleon can't get to the dirt.
- Placement - located in the living room where natural sunlight and ventilation are minimal. Apartment is generally low traffic but he sits next to the entance of the kitchen. 2 feet off the ground over a drip tub.
- Location - Eugene OR (Pacific Northwest)
Current Problem - my cham is making a small pop when he breathes but hasn't shown any other signs of ri. vet said he can't treat him until he's visibly sick but also admitted to not knowing anything about chams in specific. Should I sit and wait until my cham is visibly sick or try to get an appointment with the other vet who's booked out for 2 weeks? Am I just overreacting and about to waste a bunch of money?
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Those are all pretty for out of my way but I could try and make some calls. Thank you.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
There’s not allot of vets with chameleon experience and we often have to drive quite a ways to see one. I had to drive 4 & 1/2 hours each way for 6 years until we finally moved closer to the vet. Now I’m only one hour away.
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