Open Mouth

[jkllmm]

My little guy hasn't been feeling well of a couple of days. I started giving him calcium drops 2 times a day. I just went to go check him and he was sitting on the top of his branches with his mouth wide open. Could this be MBD? I have seen him drink. Last night he caught a cricket but I don't know if it was to big because he let him go. I don't know if he ate today....and he is in the middle of shedding. He is 3 months old.
Someone please respond ASAP!!! Thanks.

 

[KeopiCat]

It would be best if you could provide an image, but from what you're describing I would say that he's just gaping. Gaping is a way of thermoregulating, so there's a chance that his basking spot is too hot. What's the average basking temperature?

 

[jkllmm]

It would be best if you could provide an image, but from what you're describing I would say that he's just gaping. Gaping is a way of thermoregulating, so there's a chance that his basking spot is too hot. What's the average basking temperature?

I didn't get a picture but his cage is between 85* - 90*

 

[Lizzie The Chameleon]

basking area or the coolest spot?

 

[Lizzie The Chameleon]

also pictures are very helpful

 

[jkllmm]

also pictures are very helpful

I didn't get pictures because I was concerned and picked him up. While I had him out I gave him his calcium drops & of course he fought me like a child needing medicine..LOL

 

[alphakenc]

I don't know if he ate today....and he is in the middle of shedding. He is 3 months old.

Usually when a cham start shedding,it will stop eating.

 

[Andee]

Your basking spot should go no higher than 85 degrees at 3 months. Plus he is most likely constantly gaping at the moment because it's too hot and he's shedding. It helps them loosen the skin around their face.

 

[jkllmm]

Usually when a cham start shedding,it will stop eating.

Last time he shed he was eating like crazy.

 

[jkllmm]

Your basking spot should go no higher than 85 degrees at 3 months. Plus he is most likely constantly gaping at the moment because it's too hot and he's shedding. It helps them loosen the skin around their face.

Thank you

 

[alphakenc]

Last time he shed he was eating like crazy.

Then ur cham must be soo hungry that he must eat even when he shed.

 

[MelissaB]

Unless the calcium drops were prescribed by a vet, I don't know if forcing drops into your chameleon's mouth is the best way to give him calcium. Most folks use calcium and multivitamin dust on the feeder insects. A lot less stressful for him and you.

 

[Andee]

Actually liquid calcium is far easier absorbed than regular calcium and plain calcium as a regular dusting with calcium d3 and a multivitamin dust separate aren't the best ways to deliver vitamins and minerals considering the absorption rates in separate forms. Certain vitamins and minerals are not absorbed well at all without the presence of others. So liquid minerals and vitamins are absorbed much better because they are in a more concentrated and ready state. Powders should be presented most in all in one powders. Plain calcium will work better in tandem with all in ones, because it will have more built up fat soluble vitamins to attach to when used by itself. In general I recommend liquid calcium for healthy chameleons whether they are laying females or not, once a time a week though it's usually only a few drops and is always the ones you get from a vet. Usually all you do is drip it on your chameleons nose.

 

[MelissaB]

I understand that the liquid calcium is easier for their bodies to absorb, especially good for females producing eggs.

The reason I don't think the OP should be using them, is that their chameleon is fighting to get away during the administration of them. (post #6) I don't think the extra stress is necessary or good, unless there's a reason (vet prescribed, or diagnosed MBD) for the liquid calcium.

 

[Andee]

Well there is very few reasons I can ever think of to give a chameleon two doses of liquid calcium a day, even if they are sick. The fact that he is fighting it is not surprising, any chameleon is going to fight any sort of medicating if they feel well enough. It's when they don't that I'd worry about them. The fact is you need to learn to do it quickly to cause the least amount of stress you can. However with this little one, since you don't need to give him much at all, you should be able to get away with just putting a couple drops on top of his nose. But it also depends what kind of liquid calcium the OP is using? Are they using a vet prescribed one? Or a store bought one? Store bought can be dangerous if the person doesn't mix them correctly.