Slight popping noise...

[mhfan305]

For the first time I sprayed my 3 inch mt meru jackson chameleon a bit. After a few minutes he opened his mouth and a popping noise went off. I was a told one time that this is a sign of respiratory infection. But this couldnt have happened within minutes. Could it just be a popping noise from the water on his mouth? I am scared to water the thing because even 1 drop of water on him is the size of his head. But spraying them aids in shed, so I am a bit confused on what to do. Help please?

 

[Lazy Boy]

Don't spray him just his enclosure. Did you see any mucus in his mouth when he opened it?

 

[mhfan305]

No I didnt see mucus. He looked dry by the time the lights went off. Hopefully he will be fine. I dont want anything to build up so I will stop spraying him. It just isnt possible he has an infection from just today.

 

[mhfan305]

If I havent seen mucus yet, should I expect to see it soon? I only sprayed him once!

 

[Lazy Boy]

If you see stringie mucus or bubbles its a RI. Keep a close eye on him and just spray his enclosure when misting. It would be from the one day with you but he could have got it from stress of moving or before.

 

[mhfan305]

How do I get rid of it? Can I when he is so small?

 

[camimom]

If he does have and RI, you need a vet to prescribe meds.

never spray your cham directly. he knows how to shed, and will do it when and if hes ready.

while showers can help in the process of shedding, you never ever spray them directly. if you do a shower, (which you can find info on here about) then the cham will move into the water if and when they want to.

for now, if he is shedding, just do extra long warm water mistings, and try to raise humidity if he's having an issue. otherwise, let him be.

 

[mhfan305]

I sprayed the top of the cage and water droplets produced. He likes to climb on the top of the cage for some reason and he went through all the water droplets and got wet. Now he has a few water droplets dangling from his body and sometimes when he opens he's mouth for air he makes a popping noise, but I see no mucus. Is this still a respiratory infection? Or an early stage of it?

 

[Action Jackson]

I sprayed the top of the cage and water droplets produced. He likes to climb on the top of the cage for some reason and he went through all the water droplets and got wet. Now he has a few water droplets dangling from his body and sometimes when he opens he's mouth for air he makes a popping noise, but I see no mucus. Is this still a respiratory infection? Or an early stage of it?

In my experience Mt Meru's are more susceptible to Respitory infections then the other types of Jackson's chameleons. My first clutch of Mt Meru's I produced all three males got RI. The Mother also got it and died from it. I could not get rid of it. The males were on Baytril and later Fortaz injections with no improvement. Both these antibiotics were very hard on them and had to be stopped do to decline of health.

If you notice your Meru puffing out his throat, opening his mouth and making popping noises then he's most likely got RI. Treating chameleons this small is a very difficult thing to do.

My males lived a long time with RI. I would be very concerned about cross contamination if you have other chameleons.

I would recommend you take him to a good reptile vet and have a culture and sensitivity test done and get the right antibiotics if he does have the symptoms I listed above.

Have you posted a picture of him? I'd like to see one.

 

[mhfan305]

When he climbed through the water droplets and got wet, he started puffing his throat out and opening his mouth. Sometimes when he opened his mouth he would make a popping noise so he probably has a respiratory infection. Why would he make a popping noise?

Here is a photo.

 

[Action Jackson]

How bout a better picture with him on a stick or something

 

[mhfan305]

He doesnt move from the roof, and I dont want to move him he is already stressed enough from this week. Unless you think he will be alright from me holding him this once?

 

[Action Jackson]

His colors don't look good and it looks like he is a she. A better picture would help.

 

[Lazy Boy]

I'm not 100% but I think the popping sound is mucus in their throat or airway