Question about my new Baby Veiled

[bootsiemonroe]

I have a new addtion, he is 4 months old. He is eating and drinking very well. I have had him 2 days. But I see him holding his mouth open at times. Not for long, maybe for 10-15 seconds at time, 3-4 times a day. Is this something to be worried about?

 

[carol5208]

tell us what your temps are and what you are keeping him in. He may be too hot. Worse scenerio, it could be a respiratory infection but most likely he is trying to cool down by opening his mouth.

 

[bootsiemonroe]

My Cage Set Up

My cage is meticulously set up, I have an automatic misting system, a Reptisun 5.0 for UVB, and a basking light that is about 90 degrees at the highest point he can get to. The cage is 16x16x30 screen, with 3 vines, and right now artificial vines. I am planning to put a real plant in there, but am afraid to as I don't know if I have it washed well enough yet.

 

[carol5208]

That might be just a little too high. i would bring the basking temp down some to the low 80's and see if the gaping stops. What are your overall cage temps?

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Cage Temps

My temp directly under the basking light at the bottom of the cage, the furthest point from it is 80 degrees.

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Pic of my set up

Here is a pic of my cage if that helps.

 

[cloverthechameleon]

what wattage is the bulb and what are the ambient temps?

 

[cloverthechameleon]

oh i see what your said, so at the bottome of the cage it is 80 and at the top where he basks it is at 90 ? if thats right then you should have is basking spot at the top in the low 80s and the bottom at the ambients should be73-75 try a lower wattage bulb such as a 40

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Bulbs

It is a 50 watt, and the overall temp of the enclosure is 75 degrees, So I take it he should not be opening his mouth.

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Temps

OK, so yes my reply was that there are areas in the cage where he can get to where it may be 75, but it is probably too hot for him. So the wamest spot should be in the low to mid 80's.

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Bulb question

Does the basking bulb have to be a special bulb? Or can it be a regular one, like a household bulb. The one I got is from the pet store and it said Basking Bulb.

 

[cloverthechameleon]

just a regular bulb is fine and yes low to mid 80s is better for a baby veield

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Many Thanks

May I just say I am new to this site, and new to Chams, and you guys are great. This is a great site, I will keep it in my favorites and visit often. I know Yoshi will be greatful, thank you very much.

 

[carol5208]

let us know if the lighting adjustment makes a difference. If not, like I said the other thing that can cause gaping is a respiratory infection but hopefully it is just the temps. BTW welcome to the forums!!!

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Thanks I am glad to be here

Is it necessary to see a vet even tho there may not be any outward problems? I may want to with my problem if it does not stop tho.

 

[carol5208]

some people do and some don't. Getting fecals done every so often is not a bad idea as chameleons can get parasites and dont always show signs of it until things get bad. I got a feelig it is just a temperature thing with yours. I would not take it to the vet at this point.

 

[cloverthechameleon]

ya welcome to the forums, its most likely just the light but if not and it is a resp infection then you should see a vet for some antibiotics, but change the temps and then give it afew days or a week

 

[Chopper562]

Too hot, your cage is way to small to use that heat lamp IMO, i use the same lamp but my cage is 5 feet tall so he has PLENTY of room to hide from the heat or light by going to the bottom of his canopy

 

[darryl99]

My baby girl was doing this when her basking spot was 30 Celsius, I dropped it to about 27-28 degrees and she does it a lot less. I suspect your basking is a little to warm.

 

[blackened]

We also made the same mistake. A drop to 80 F did the trick for us