Weird "sigh-like" noises

[AshleyAndSean]

Hey all,

Achilles is a 7 month old ambilobe panther chameleon. So far, he's been doing great! He eats well, has healthy urates, is not aggressive, etc. I've been home a lot with him this week because of my exams at school and I've noticed every hour or so I can hear him breathing, almost like he's sighing. He's also been puffing up his chin more than usual. Should I be concerned about this? He's usually quite quiet and rarely puffs up.

Thanks,
Ashley

 

[zlew]

Its sounds like it could be a respiratory infection. I'm not an expert on it, but if you can please fill out the "how to ask for help" sticky in the health clinic forum, I can give you a more informed answer and I'm sure others will weigh in.

 

[AshleyAndSean]

Its sounds like it could be a respiratory infection. I'm not an expert on it, but if you can please fill out the "how to ask for help" sticky in the health clinic forum, I can give you a more informed answer and I'm sure others will weigh in.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Ambilobe Panther, ~7 months old
Handling - 2-3 times a week
Feeding - Typically crickets, butterworms or silkworms on occasion but only as a treat. Crickets are gutloaded with veggies and dusted before they are given to my cham.
Watering - We have the monsoon, it goes off every 4 hours, keeps humidity at around 60%
Fecal Description - brown and white mostly
History - no previous health issues

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen cage 76 x 42 x 122 cm
Lighting - UVB and basking light both exoterra
Temperature - ambient temperature is usually around 75-80 while the basking spot is around 90. Overnight temps around 50-60, we measure using a digital thermometer/hygrometer.
Humidity - Harder to keep up humidity, it has dropped to 45% but is usually around 60 or 65
Plants - hibiscus
Location - Quebec, Canada

 

[repdog]

I would agree with slew but I'm no expert.

 

[sharp229]

Can you post a picture of him? Is there any way he can see himself or other chameleons (a mirror other cages nearby, etc)?

Does he hold his head up a lot, make popping sounds, swallow a lot, or have mucous/bubbles coming out of his mouth?

 

[AshleyAndSean]

Can you post a picture of him? Is there any way he can see himself or other chameleons (a mirror other cages nearby, etc)?

Does he hold his head up a lot, make popping sounds, swallow a lot, or have mucous/bubbles coming out of his mouth?

Pictures from today are attached. He hasn't made any popping sound, no mucous or bubbles and his head has been normal lol.

 

[zlew]

Does he only make the sound when you are holding him? Or when he is climbing up? My boys both exhale a little bit louder when they are exerting or when they are annoyed.

 

[zlew]

Any stringy spit in his mouth?

 

[AshleyAndSean]

Any stringy spit in his mouth?

Nope doesn't seem to be, he doesn't open his mouth much so we can't really see but I don't think so, but he's been making the noise even when he's just basking in his terrarium.

 

[zlew]

Ok, it sounds like there is a problem, but again, I am not an expert, so I'm going to let others weigh in.

 

[zlew]

Also, you could definitely cool it down in there. Make his basking around 85-88 and the ambient in the low 70s

 

[zlew]

That will probably help with humidity and I also run a humidifier in the room.

 

[Mike Fisher]

Nope doesn't seem to be, he doesn't open his mouth much so we can't really see but I don't think so, but he's been making the noise even when he's just basking in his terrarium.

Could be a lower respiratory infection which is different than a upper respiratory infection. You won't see mucous in the mouth, but they breath heavy and labored and have a cough because they are trying to get the mucous out of their lungs. It's similar to pneumonia in humans. I'd get him to the vet in case they want to put him on antibiotics and can advise to treatment. If he is diagnosed with a LRI I do know that using a humidifier that makes warm steam into the enclosure can do wonders in the recovery.

 

[AshleyAndSean]

Could be a lower respiratory infection which is different than a upper respiratory infection. You won't see mucous in the mouth, but they breath heavy and labored and have a cough because they are trying to get the mucous out of their lungs. It's similar to pneumonia in humans. I'd get him to the vet in case they want to put him on antibiotics and can advise to treatment. If he is diagnosed with a LRI I do know that using a humidifier that makes warm steam into the enclosure can do wonders in the recovery.

Thanks we took him to the vet today and he's fine apparently just likes to make weird noises lol

 

[repdog]

That is wonderful news.

 

[PattyCake]

apparently just likes to make weird noises lol

Likes to make weird noises, eh? Mine sometimes likes to puff up under the basking light in the morning after I switch it on, and a little puff of air will escape him. Chameleons can be such strange animals, but we love them just the same

 

[Mike Fisher]

Good to hear.

 

[timmin89]

Mine does a Lil air puff when I pick it up lol almost like a "here we go again" type thing

 

[AshleyAndSean]

Likes to make weird noises, eh? Mine sometimes likes to puff up under the basking light in the morning after I switch it on, and a little puff of air will escape him. Chameleons can be such strange animals, but we love them just the same

Haha yup he didn't like the vet much either. We've never even seen him hiss or puff up at us but he was not a fan at all of his doctor! Our boy got aggressive for the first time!