Getting Discouraged

[Debbie61]

I have a 5 month old Veiled Chameleon that I got yesterday his name is Titus. He is doing well, but is showing signs of possible illness. Yesterday I commented that he has a small bump on his eye terret(?) now today it looks like he has white stuff on his nostrils. He fell again today off the side of his cage. He seems to be doing okay. He eats the crickets that I put in his cage. I just don't know what the bump or white stuff is.

 

[Syn]

I know this form seems like a lot but it's worth filling out. Could you do so?
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Pictures help..

 

[Ace]

Please post pics so we can help whatight be the problem about the eye. However I believe the white stuff on the nostrils is normal , I think it's salt deposits ( if i am wrong someone please correct me in a future post) that seems normal for most veileds that have occasional salt deposits near or on their nostrils.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Also, where did you get Titus from? Pet store or breeder? It does sound like he has some problems that he shouldn't be having if you just got him yesterday. I know it sounds horrible (sorry if it does) but if you have some sort of warranty on him you might want to contact the people that you got him from and return him while you still can.

 

[Debbie61]

My Chameleon: 5 month old Veiled. I received him yesterday via Fed EX
Handling: Once to put him in cage and once to look at him to get a better view of his nose.
Feeding: 12 crickets per day, around noon, gut load crickets with carrots, apple
Supplements: dust crickets with Calcium w/o d3, I do have Calcium with D3 but will use only 2 times a month. Multivit; once a month. Reptical is brand that I use.
Watering: misting 3-4 times a day 2 minutes each time. Dripper goes part of day. Haven't seen him drink(trying not to hover) My son saw him licking his lips after I misted today.
Fecal des: Huge poops with yellow and some white. Fecal- negative thru breeder.
History: He's new to me.

Cage Info:
24x24x48 screen cage
Lighting: reptisun 5.0, heat sourse 100 watt ( 60 watt was not heating cage to 85 in basking area. Lights on a 8 a.m. and off at 8p.m.
Cage Temp: Basking 85 Cage Floor 70 lowest overnight temps 69-71 Temps measured by probe.

Humidity : top 45-50 Bottom 75 after misting Using dial guage for humidity

Plants: One live Ficus and one immitation vine and leafy vines. (I am getting more foliage tomorrow)

Cage Location: Family Room is non traffic area. No vents close by. Cage is 2 feet off floor. Top of cage is 6 feet off the floor
My Location: Portland Oregon

Current Problem: (I'm a new mommy chameleon owner.) Small skin extrusion on front right eye covering. Thought that he had white gunk coming from his nostrils, but couldn't get close enough to tell what it was. My husband got Titus out tonight (he was very calm and didn't scurry off in his cage) and I was able to take a better look at him. There was no white gunk at all, so maybe the way the lights are that is just how his skin looks. He does not gap or anything like that. Maybe he is going to shed. His head looks shiny compared to the rest of his body. So I don't know. This is hard being a new owner and no matter how much research you do it's still confusing when they accually get here.

 

[Jonah S]

I was anxious at a point when Larry had some white around his nose. It really seems to come and go. If they have too much calcium in their system, it will come out of their nose but you really won't have to worry about that as long as you aren't 'ghosting' the crickets so they are completely white with calcium.

 

[Debbie61]

More pictures of Titus

 

[Debbie61]

In the second picture you can kind of see white by his nose. I'm wondering if it is just the way the light hits his skin that makes it look that way.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Hi, looking at the info for your set up it seems like you have everything he needs and the temps and humidity look good. Can you post some pics of his eye? It would really help us to identify what it may be. Having yellow in his urates means he's a little dehydrated which can happen during shipping. You might want to consider running his dripper for a longer period of time until he gets used to his new home and is used to the location. Being a new cham owner is really nerve racking and scary!!! I definitely know how it feels...LOL! But, that's what we're here for is to help you the best way we can and get you through those beginners jitters

 

[Carlton]

I have a 5 month old Veiled Chameleon that I got yesterday his name is Titus. He is doing well, but is showing signs of possible illness. Yesterday I commented that he has a small bump on his eye terret(?) now today it looks like he has white stuff on his nostrils. He fell again today off the side of his cage. He seems to be doing okay. He eats the crickets that I put in his cage. I just don't know what the bump or white stuff is.

You've had him such a short time it would be hard to sort out whether he is in fact sick or simply stressed and disoriented from his trip and his new habitat. He is eating which is good (sick or seriously dehydrated chams don't eat). Signs of drinking or thinking about drinking (licking lips when you are spraying) is also good. The white stuff is either evaporated salt or unshed bits of skin. No big issue there. It can sometimes be an early subtle sign of dehydration. Falling off the cage sides...occasionally falling from an unfamiliar new surface might simply be that...unfamiliar surface that he has to learn. Not sure what to think about the eye turret bump...could be an area he rubbed or bumped during shipping, something that is normal for his particular eye, hard to say.

 

[Debbie61]

Thanks Jaxygirl, I will try and get more photos at another time. It's hard when he is in the cage, and I'm trying not to stress him out to much by getting him out to take more shots. Thanks for the support and suggestions

Thanks Carlton for your support and comments. I have been trying really hard to make everything just right. So now maybe I just need to relax and let him get acclimated to his new home and stop stressing which would be better for both him and me

 

[JaxyGirl]

It's so hard not to stress. I know I did!! But, do give him a few days to adjust to his new surroundings and see how he does. Then take a big nice, long, relaxing breath..LOL!

 

[Gensen]

Hang in there...

Just wanted you to know that we all get nervous new mom syndrome especially with your first Chameleon.... but hang in there and keep us posted!

 

[benpaul]

White stuff around nose is usually dehydration. when a cham gets to a new home it may take him awhile to figure out where the water is or coming from. Also just stress may make them drink less. Dont sweat it if the white stuff contiues give him a shower. Also you can just hand mist like CRAZY and it should go away.

 

[carol5208]

Try not to over analyze everything! You will drive yourself crazy!! I am sure you chameleon is fine and you are just looking for the slightest thing that could be wrong. This is normal! When you first get them...and it doesn't end there, but it gets better!!. So just try and enjoy your new little guy and let him settle in. You seem to have all the requirements that he needs and I am sure he will have a happy healthy life with you!

 

[laurie]

Don't get discouraged, we have all been there. I still can't sleep the night before a new chameleon arrives. I got a new tavatana from Jared today and I am tired from the lack of sleep. But I did worry and check on her twice just to be sure all was well. I will check her again a couple of times yet tonight, this from a person who has had chameleons for years, and had a fair number of them. Heck I have even did a bit of breeding, but for me it never gets too old or too comfortable. All chameleons are different, something great for one is awful for another.
I just got a pm saying a baby jackson is in the mail & will be here tomorrow. I am in a panic as I didn't expect it so I am not ready. But I will be when he arrives & I am very excited!
I would tell you to never lose the wonder and joy of chameleons. You will always worry, fret, and think something might be wrong. As time pass's for the most part you will learn when to really be concerned and when to just wait and try to relax. You have just gotten on a roller coster ride, now just try to enjoy it.

 

[Debbie61]

Thanks Jaxygirl,carol 5208,benpaul,and Gensen, I hope I didn't leave anyone out. Thanks for the encouragement and support. Yes, I do need to just relax and let him get acclimated. I will continue to do as you suggest with misting and hopefully soon he'll figure it out and be a happy little cammy