Foaming mouth?

[JoeG]

Just got a new juvenile jacksons a couple of days ago. He ate good for 2 days , just crickets , then he stopped eating, its been three days. A lot of pacing all up & down the screen enclosure. Tonight I noticed foaming at the mouth. He seems to open his mouth at me when I aproach the cage like he wants to hiss, & I noticed the foam in his mouth. Does anyone know what I should do about it ?

 

[carol5208]

Just got a new juvenile jacksons a couple of days ago. He ate good for 2 days , just crickets , then he stopped eating, its been three days. A lot of pacing all up & down the screen enclosure. Tonight I noticed foaming at the mouth. He seems to open his mouth at me when I aproach the cage like he wants to hiss, & I noticed the foam in his mouth. Does anyone know what I should do about it ?

Is he opening his mouth when you are not around like he is having trouble breathing? Does he make a kind of popping noise when he breathes?

 

[mwebb]

U r

does he blow his gulet out or cough?

 

[jr andrade]

He could be dehydrated or there is mucus in his lungs if he is convulsing while his mouth is open.

 

[jannb]

Sounds like a URI. I would contact your chameleon vet and the breeder.

 

[bridgofaith]

Sounds like a URI. I would contact your chameleon vet and the breeder.

I agree. You don't want to play around with a RI. Contact the breeder and a reptile (preferably chameleon experienced) vet. In the mean time, you can add a warm mist humidifier to the enclosure 24/7 to help loosen any mucus to make it easier for him to expel it and breathe.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/theres-no-such-thing-uri-14277/

 

[jessica]

Like mentioned foaming could be a sign of a URI.

Just curious though how's his humidity and what methods are you offering water?

 

[JoeG]

I never heard any popping sounds & I do see him from a distance sometimes open his mouth. Puffs out his gullet too sometimes. When he was eating, he seemed to have trouble swallowing. After he swallowed he would hold his head sraight up in the air & appear to move his throat like he was re-swallowing. At first I thought it was normal to that species because I had only Panthers before......

 

[carol5208]

I would get him to a vet right away. Unless your temps are too high, there is really no reason why he would keep opening his mouth unless he is not getting enough air.

 

[bridgofaith]

It would really be great if you would also fill out this form with as much detail as possible:


Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


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.


Pictures are helpful

 

[JoeG]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to talk to my vendor from here first . He doesn't open his mouth all the time, just sometimes. I've only had him 5 days, I hope he didn't get sick during the overnight shipping. His cage is appropriate for a chameleon in all ways.......

 

[carol5208]

Good luck! Keep us posted and let us know what happens.

 

[Carlton]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to talk to my vendor from here first . He doesn't open his mouth all the time, just sometimes. I've only had him 5 days, I hope he didn't get sick during the overnight shipping. His cage is appropriate for a chameleon in all ways.......

The stress of his move (including the shipping but not just that) could have brought out a URI that might have been starting before...but not detected. It is hard to say either way. Raising the temp and humidity slightly will help him fight it as suggested. Make sure he has a lot of privacy, no disturbance, and can rest as much as possible. Yes, check with the seller and find a herp vet in case you need it. Keep him drinking. He may not eat much but if he was healthy to begin with he won't starve without eating for a week.

 

[JoeG]

Thank you. I'm giving him water & misting more frequently.......