Crusty Chameleon - HELP

[tmanjim]

I have been taking care of a chameleon in our office and each day she has a white, crusty buildup on or near her nostrils. I can flake it off but it does come back. What is that? Is it normal?

 

[Craig]

Sounds like an infection. It is not normal at all. You need to take him to the vet. There is nothing you can do at home for him.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

The animal is most likely expelling excess minerals and calcium.
How much are you supplementing, and with what supplements?
What is the species?

My supplementation schedule is here in the article entitled supplements:

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

The schedule is a good one for several other species besides veiled, but not for all. The mountain chameleons require a different schedule and are rather sensitive to over-supplementation.

-Brad

 

[LaRiz]

+1, Brad Ramsey
no worries

 

[tmanjim]

Thanks Brad. She eats crickets doused in calcium, but for the last few days, I haven't done that thinking she had too much. I will watch her. I give her a few medium sized crickets every day.

 

[Craig]

Are you sure it is not an infection?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Are you using calcium with D3 at every feeding?
It is possible to overdose D3 (hypervitaminosis)

I am not sure it isn't an infection, but over-supplementation is (particularly with chameleons) a more common issue.
I have not seen a picture of the problem, nor do I know what species the animal is.
I would be willing to bet, however, that my educated guess is right.

-Brad

 

[ShellsandScales]

I'm on board with the hyper-supplimentation theory. I know marine iguanas and uromastyx use this behavior on a regular basis to rid their bodies of excess salt and other minerals. Seems like a very likely diagnosis but especially with chams it would likely be a good idea to see the vet anyway.

 

[ErinKelley]

It is most likely salt deposits and is normal. Of course there will always be a danger of over supplementing with the powders and as far as other minerals being expelled from the nose along with excess salt I cannot be sure of.

It is important with carnivorous reptiles such as your chameleon that there is not the standard 2:1 ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the supplement you use as crickets and other insects supposedly have alot of phosphorus in them already. When I was keeping reptiles the ONLY supplement in Boise Id at that time was Rep-Cal Calcium with Vit D3, phosphorus free. All other supplements had a 2:1 ratio already in them!

Another thing that I think is important is that the feeder items, whatever they may be, be fed a varied and nutritious natural diet. I never bought cricket gel or cube type foods and never rely on the petstores to feed their crix well if even at all sometimes.

Erin

Edit - I should also add, that all the supplements and good feeding will be in vain if you do not have a FRESH uvb flourescent light and the correct temperature gradiant.

 

[ErinKelley]

The animal is most likely expelling excess minerals and calcium.
How much are you supplementing, and with what supplements?
What is the species?

My supplementation schedule is here in the article entitled supplements:

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

The schedule is a good one for several other species besides veiled, but not for all. The mountain chameleons require a different schedule and are rather sensitive to over-supplementation.

-Brad

Lol I read this after I posted, that is alot of good correct info...
sorry Brad

 

[tmanjim]

Thank you all. Cut down on the supplements and she seems fine now. That link is fantastic.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Thank you all. Cut down on the supplements and she seems fine now. That link is fantastic.

Good to here.
Thanks for the comment on the link ... A lot of work has gone into it and it is continually updated as we learn more or find better ways to provide these animals with what they need.

I would also suggest becoming a member at http://chameleonforums.com/ (if you aren't already).

-Brad Ramsey