Hey guys this is one of my first times posting on here.. My nosybe is about 8 months old I picked him up from a friend.. After having him home for a few days I noticed him opening his mouth.. And a crackle in his lungs. About 3 days later I noticed he was keeping his right eye closed. I took him to my vet and he told me that he believed that he was opening his mouth due to eye pain.. He gave me eye drops and an antiflamitory along with a antibiotic... To treat the possible respitory infection it's been 6 days now and now he is refusing to eat.. I just don't know what else to do any suggestions?
Sick nosybe
- Thread starter Jbracing8
- Start date
ataraxia
Avid Member
Id suggest a change in vets and before going to a new vet check with them to see if they are well versed with chameleons. Ask simple questions and see if they can answer them.
We really need the how to ask for help form filled out so we can better help your situation. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
Mouth gaping and crackling are both signs of an RI. To help your animal.
1. You will need to be sure the cham is on the right antibiotic. Typically baytril will do the trick but if it is something funky you may need another type of antibiotic to fight the infection. It is important to follow the recommended regimen.
2. A all screen cage for proper ventilation
3. With an RI dry air is not a good thing. It is not a good thing to have humid stagnant air either. I would suggest giving your chameleon warm showers, closing the curtain and door to the room so it gets nice and steamy a few times a day, for 30 minutes or better. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/594-shower-chamber-treatment.html This will help loosen and or thin the mucous. Note: if the humidity in your home is low. Id suggest buying a ultrsonic cool mist humidifier and placing it near the cage or even position it on half the cage.
4. This is not easy but try to remove any excess mucous from the mouth. Dont make the mouth dry but remove any pooling.
5. Make sure you have the proper temp gradient in the cage. 90* at basking and 70's in the mid to lower part.
6. It is believed some antibiotics messes with the guts natural flora. So a product like benebac will help replenish this.
Animals on antibiotics sometimes go off food while they are on it and for a little bit afterwards. As long as he was of healthy weight before this illness he should be able to go a short distance without food. Main thing is curing the illness and providing him safe living conditions.
We really need the how to ask for help form filled out so we can better help your situation. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
Mouth gaping and crackling are both signs of an RI. To help your animal.
1. You will need to be sure the cham is on the right antibiotic. Typically baytril will do the trick but if it is something funky you may need another type of antibiotic to fight the infection. It is important to follow the recommended regimen.
2. A all screen cage for proper ventilation
3. With an RI dry air is not a good thing. It is not a good thing to have humid stagnant air either. I would suggest giving your chameleon warm showers, closing the curtain and door to the room so it gets nice and steamy a few times a day, for 30 minutes or better. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/594-shower-chamber-treatment.html This will help loosen and or thin the mucous. Note: if the humidity in your home is low. Id suggest buying a ultrsonic cool mist humidifier and placing it near the cage or even position it on half the cage.
4. This is not easy but try to remove any excess mucous from the mouth. Dont make the mouth dry but remove any pooling.
5. Make sure you have the proper temp gradient in the cage. 90* at basking and 70's in the mid to lower part.
6. It is believed some antibiotics messes with the guts natural flora. So a product like benebac will help replenish this.
Animals on antibiotics sometimes go off food while they are on it and for a little bit afterwards. As long as he was of healthy weight before this illness he should be able to go a short distance without food. Main thing is curing the illness and providing him safe living conditions.
Last edited:
Thanks for the shower advice! The bottle does not have a name on it.. Unsure of what anti biotic i am using.. Will call tomorow and find out.Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Nosybe panther,male, 8 months
Handling - Almost never.. Just to give medication and clean cage
Feeding - 6-8 crickets gut loaded with sweet potato and occasional mealworms
Supplements - sticky tongue calcium with d3 every other day and reptivite 1 time every other week
Watering - Mist down cage 2 times a day
Fecal Description - Light brown,solid with urate
History - I have had several veileds before since I was younger this is my first panther and the first health problem I have had...
Cage Info: repti breeze screen cage 18x18x36 2 pieces of driftwood that go from bottom to top rapped in vine with pothos inside
Lighting - Mercury vapor repti sun power sun 100w keep lights on 12 hrs
Temperature - 78 at bottom floor and around 92 basking point
Humidity - Not sure...buying a gauge tomorrow.. Could this be the problem?
Plants - pothos vine
Placement - In bed room nobody goes in room..
Location - florida
Current problem- same as above he does seem to be healthy just still not eating and it has been a week and his eye is still closed.. Could it take longer to heal? My concern is that he won't start eating again..
Your Chameleon - Nosybe panther,male, 8 months
Handling - Almost never.. Just to give medication and clean cage
Feeding - 6-8 crickets gut loaded with sweet potato and occasional mealworms
Supplements - sticky tongue calcium with d3 every other day and reptivite 1 time every other week
Watering - Mist down cage 2 times a day
Fecal Description - Light brown,solid with urate
History - I have had several veileds before since I was younger this is my first panther and the first health problem I have had...
Cage Info: repti breeze screen cage 18x18x36 2 pieces of driftwood that go from bottom to top rapped in vine with pothos inside
Lighting - Mercury vapor repti sun power sun 100w keep lights on 12 hrs
Temperature - 78 at bottom floor and around 92 basking point
Humidity - Not sure...buying a gauge tomorrow.. Could this be the problem?
Plants - pothos vine
Placement - In bed room nobody goes in room..
Location - florida
Current problem- same as above he does seem to be healthy just still not eating and it has been a week and his eye is still closed.. Could it take longer to heal? My concern is that he won't start eating again..
Meow Kitty
New Member
sounds like URI i believe a vet visit is in order
ataraxia
Avid Member
His eye being closed could be part of his illness but could also mean other things. https://www.chameleonforums.com/eye-problems-76636/
ChameleonMom
New Member
I have a female veiled who took 5 weeks of antibiotics to beat pneumonia. Please be patient as 6 days of meds won't heal your guy. Also, I don't see that you've noted a UVB light in your 'how to ask for help' form. Do you have a UVB source?
Sohumvet
Member
Take him back and tell your vet you want a culture and sensitivity done on his sputum (mucus in the back of his mouth). That's the only way to know what, if any pathogenic bacteria he has and what antibiotic to treat him with. Baytril does usually work but not always and you need to make sure what you are giving him is the correct choice. If you get this done early in his illness his chances for recovery are greater so do it today.
Sohumvet
Member
The Reptisun mercury vapor provides UVB.
ChameleonMom
New Member
Ahhh okay. Don't know that bulb, thanks for the clarification!
