tongue sticking out

[whysoez420]

when i got home from work today at 6:30 my 5 month old male veilds mouth was open and his tongue was sticking out a bit. i've never seen this before so i put my hand in the cage and he closed it then 45 minutes later the lights are off cuz it's bedtime and i see him in his sleeping spot with his mouth open and tongue sticking out. i took a picture it's a bit hard to see because it's through the cage. i tried to open the cage but he gets scared and closes his mouth. any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[chameleonowner32]

Have you heard any sneezing, caughing, bubbles out the mouth or nose, mucas in mouth? It sounds like a respitory infection.

 

[dom1959]

the experienced keepers will need you to answer the following questions...




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.

 

[whysoez420]

Have you heard any sneezing, caughing, bubbles out the mouth or nose, mucas in mouth? It sounds like a respitory infection.

no not yet. but this has been the first time seeing it so i will keep watch.


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - veild, male, approx 5 months old, have had him for 3 months.

Handling -i used to handle him maybe once a week but about 3 weeks ago he started getting more scared and hissing so i stopped handling him.

Feeding - crickets and phoenix worms. 10-15 crickets and 5-10 phoenix worms a day. i hand feed him 5-10 phoenix worms every morning at 7:15 or so and put 10-15 crickets in his cage.

Gutloading - i use different fruits/veggies, as of now i'm using collard greens with cricket crack, bug burger and dino fuel on top of them.

Supplements -dusted with plain calcium no d3 everyday and twice a month with reptivite with d3.

Watering - I have a mistking system setup, misting times are 7am for 10 seconds, 9am for 35 seconds, 12pm for 1 min, 2pm for 35 seconds, 4pm for 25 seconds and 6pm for 30 seconds.
i've seen him drink a couple times.

Fecal Description - normal looking brown poop, urates are a bit yellow, he has been tested and doesn't have parasites and goes almost everyday if not everyday.

History - no previous history

Cage Info:
Cage Type - aluminum screen cage, 24"x24"x48"

Lighting - reptisun 5.0 flourecent, uvb and 40 watt household bulb. schedule is 7am/7pm

Temperature - 82-89 throughout and havent measured at night. i use a temp gun.

Humidity - i have a crappy exo terra humidity gauge that i actually took out because it wouldn't stick. I am quite confident his humidity is ok.

Plants - live schefflera and pothos

Placement - my room. it isn't a high traffic area at all. cage is 6.5 feet off the ground.

Location - Canada, Ontario, Hamilton.

Current Problem - my chameleons tongue sticking out for no reason.

 

[whysoez420]

I'm assuming this isn't a big deal then? I filled out that sheet.

 

[jannb]

How's he doing? Tongue still out? The only things that I can see off from above is his water. Do you have a dripper? The misting sessions are short. Sometimes it takes them awhile to start drinking and then awhile to drink. Also, I keep the basking temps lower for a 5 month old....around 85 and down near the bottom should be in the 70's.

 

[whysoez420]

How's he doing? Tongue still out? The only things that I can see off from above is his water. Do you have a dripper? The misting sessions are short. Sometimes it takes them awhile to start drinking and then awhile to drink. Also, I keep the basking temps lower for a 5 month old....around 85 and down near the bottom should be in the 70's.

he seems ok, his mouth was closed when i got home from work but i also noticed that his crickets weren't eaten. so he basically just ate 8 phoenix worms that i hand fed in the morning today and that's it. usually he eats all of his crickets too if not he leaves 1 or 2.

 

[ataraxia]

When you are hand feeding. Is he shooting his tongue normally?

 

[whysoez420]

When you are hand feeding. Is he shooting his tongue normally?

it was hard to tell because this morning i put them closer to him than normal.

 

[ataraxia]

If this is the first and only time you have seen it. I wouldnt be to worried but if you are seeing this all day and the next day. Read below.

If your not able to examine his mouth/tongue. Id suggest taking him to a vet that knows a bit about chameleons.
1. He could have injured it.
2. Could have an infection within the tongue/mouth.

Judging by your supplements and uvb. Its not a deficiency issue.
Your not describing any additional issues to point to illness like an respiratory infection.

 

[whysoez420]

If this is the first and only time you have seen it. I wouldnt be to worried but if you are seeing this all day and the next day. Read below.

If your not able to examine his mouth/tongue. Id suggest taking him to a vet that knows a bit about chameleons.
1. He could have injured it.
2. Could have an infection within the tongue/mouth.

Judging by your supplements and uvb. Its not a deficiency issue.
Your not describing any additional issues to point to illness like an respiratory infection.

alright i'm going to keep an eye out. it sucks because mon-fri i work 8-5 or 6 and can't see him at all throughout the day. thanks guys.