Drooling

[Evolkali]

So I've been out of town for about a month and my friend has been taking care of my panther chameleon upon my return I've noticed my Panther drooling while his water is dripping for him it's something he never used to do before so I'm curious if this is normal behavior or something I should take him to the vet for ?

 

[Andee]

Do you hear a popping like sound coming from him when he breathes or opens his mouth? Excess drool is usually the sign of a upper respitory infection, I definitely would get it checked out just in case. You could catch it before it gets too bad that he would need heavy meds.

 

[GCash]

It's also a sign of dehydration. You'll notice a thick viscous saliva drooling out while they're drinking.

 

[Evolkali]

I haven't noticed any popping sounds from him what I have noticed is he's hanging around the bottom of his tree which is unusual for him he usually goes to the bottom for morning feeding that's it as now he's just hanging out on the bottom. He starts excessively drooling as soon as his water starts dripping and just lets the water drip all over him as the water runs down his body to his mouth he just drools with it .. So I'm not sure if he's dehydrated from my friend not properly taking care of him also I'm not exactly sure if my friend was feeding him properly she was giving him med. Crickets instead of large & I don't think she took the time to dust them ...

 

[Carlton]

I haven't noticed any popping sounds from him what I have noticed is he's hanging around the bottom of his tree which is unusual for him he usually goes to the bottom for morning feeding that's it as now he's just hanging out on the bottom. He starts excessively drooling as soon as his water starts dripping and just lets the water drip all over him as the water runs down his body to his mouth he just drools with it .. So I'm not sure if he's dehydrated from my friend not properly taking care of him also I'm not exactly sure if my friend was feeding him properly she was giving him med. Crickets instead of large & I don't think she took the time to dust them ...

Have the room temps been warmer? Maybe that's why he's spending more time lower down in the cage. Is his cage humidity level lower (possibly because its warmer or drier than before)? It really sounds as if he's extra thirsty and salivating when water shows up. I notice drooling when my thirstier chams are actively drinking...they are gulping the water faster than they can swallow it.

 

[Evolkali]

The environmental temp has been between 72-80 I've noticed he's acting better today but still not fully himself he's still hanging out on the bottom of his tree foliage hes keeping the tip of his tongue out

 

[Evolkali]

Here's a pic with his tongue out

 

[Evolkali]

Here's another one of him today his color is starting to come back a little

 

[Evolkali]

I live in between Monterey bay and San Jose California can anyone recommend a vet that's familiar with chams in my area ??

 

[Carlton]

I live in between Monterey bay and San Jose California can anyone recommend a vet that's familiar with chams in my area ??

Right at the top of this forum are a couple of sticky messages with vet resources.

 

[junglefries]

His skin seems to be really loose and his right front leg seems kinda off. IMO he really needs a vet. Possibly: very dehydrated with severe Ca deficiency. His eyes are giving signs also. He needs a work up.

 

[Evolkali]

I've noticed the eyes they seem a lot better today there not as sunk in as they were I've started dusting with every feeding since I could tell he was off my friend did tell me she saw him fall from the middle of his enclosure to the bottom so I'm not sure if that affected him I've found a vet in Monterey and Santa Cruz so I'm going to have him checked out by both of them ..

 

[JoeVet]

His skin seems to be really loose and his right front leg seems kinda off. IMO he really needs a vet. Possibly: very dehydrated with severe Ca deficiency. His eyes are giving signs also. He needs a work up.

Yep, yep. Looks like classic MBD.

 

[Evolkali]

My friend was watching him for a month & two weeks exactly could mbd start in that short amount of time ?

Next question can I over supplement him with his vitamins/ calcium?
I was dusting twice a week before this happened now I'm dusting every feeding to give him that bounce back

He's acting better much more active then when I first came home

 

[Evolkali]

He did fall asleep in his normal way he covers up his eyes with the leaves so I'm starting to see a few of his normal habits return