Another Update

[Lucas00-]

It’s been three days since I noticed that Chameleonaire was gaping. He was under his lamp when I did notice that day. I haven’t had the most time to watch him but was able to observe for a little before and after work. It’s now my weekend and I haven’t noticed a lot more untill I walked up to his enclosure today. I wasn’t able to snap a picture but he kind of had his mouth open and there was like a saliva bubble for a second. When I noticed this he was under his heat bulb. He opened his mouth once he saw me looking at him and closed it when I stepped back a bit. Been watching for another 10 minutes and he went back under his lamp and gaped again, I got a picture this time (included). He doesn’t seem to be labored in breathing, isn’t putting his nose in the air or wheezing. Top of enclosure is 80.9 and the lower middle half is 75. Small saliva string in the picture I took too. The closest vet that deals with chameleons is 100 miles away and I get nervous thinking about how stressed he’d be if I had to take him and how I would do it. Thought anyone? Thanks in advance.

 

[Lucas00-]

I have a 50w bulb, could it be that since he’s getting taller that my heating bulb is the reason for this? Does the saliva and gaping help a chameleon cool down when it’s too hot? I swear he be acting different when I’m watching, I need a WiFi camera so I can stalk him without bothering him. My heat dome is directly on top of his enclosure.

 

[BleuSaphir]

I don’t have heat lamp for mine. I notice anything above 80 degrees my chameleon does the same. I just keep the other essentials on-UVB and my jungle dawn.

 

[Lucas00-]

I don’t have heat lamp for mine. I notice anything above 80 degrees my chameleon does the same. I just keep the other essentials on-UVB and my jungle dawn.

I do have it on a timer to shut off halfway through his daylight cycle but sometimes if it’s real hot outside it’ll go above 80 at the top of the enclosure. I have only noticed him gaping under the lamp so I’m almost convinced that’s it.

 

[ehdee6]

I'd try propping the heat lamp up a few inches and see if it helps.

If you have to take him to the vet you can make him a travel box. This is the one I made when I had to take mine to the Cham sitter for a few days. I also use it to weigh her. Although, she's getting a bit big for it now. I'll have to make a new one with a bigger box. But you don't want to give them too much room to move. You just want them to hunker down in the dark and sleep.

 

[Lucas00-]

I'd try propping the heat lamp up a few inches and see if it helps.

If you have to take him to the vet you can make him a travel box. This is the one I made when I had to take mine to the Cham sitter for a few days. I also use it to weigh her. Although, she's getting a bit big for it now. I'll have to make a new one with a bigger box. But you don't want to give them too much room to move. You just want them to hunker down in the dark and sleep.

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View attachment 365284

That’s actually amazing lol, thank you so much! Also what are some ways you’ve propped up your light a little higher? I was thinking maybe the wooden clothes pins or something like that around the light to raise it a bit.

 

[ehdee6]

I think @MissSkittles has the best idea of raising them. Using wire baskets from the dollar store. (Her image)

 

[Lucas00-]

That’s a great idea, thank you !