White nose build up

[jblair586]

I have a female veiled chameleon I got her on October 7th of 2020. I got her at Petco. I don’t usually handle her at all I get her out when I clean her tank but that’s it. She is fed 8-10 crickets and sometimes small dubia roaches everyday. I was dusting them very lightly with calcium (brand is repti calcium)but I was told to stop calcium for a couple weeks so I am, and I was giving her a multi vitamin(brand reptivite)every two weeks but was told to stop that too. For watering I have a dripper a water bowl and the water builds up on the plants as well. I mist the whole tank 3-4 times a day for under a minute. The description of her fecal matter would be it’s solid and a darker brown. I have a glass tank and the dimensions are 24 1/2 by 11.11. Her light schedule is turn on the ubv at 10am and turn it off at 10pm. The temp in the tank is usually 80-85°f. The humidity is always between 40% to 70%. I have no live plants I have plastic reptile plants. The tank is located in a reptile room with a celling fan but it’s not always on. The tank is at least 3-4 feet off the ground. I am located in West Virginia. She has write/ yellow build up around her nostrils that won’t go away ive tried stopping calcium completely and only using very small amounts but still won’t seem to go away it looks like it’s blocking her nostrils completely but she can still breath. What do I need to do to clear it up and should I get it off her nostrils?

 

[ERKleRose]

Why would you stop calcium? It is very important, especially with females! It is most likely excess salt being excreted. Sadly, you have some incorrect husbandry going on, so could you fill out this form in as much detail as possible, please? Make sure to add pics of her, her lights, and her full cage (lights to bottom):

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[kinyonga]

The white stuff (we chameleon people call it Snalt) is not calcium and not from the vitamins....so don't cut them out.It's a build up of other salts that the chameleon does not need so they are blown out its nose. It's harmless and you don't need to do anything about it unless it blocks the nostril completely.

What color are the urates?

I would recommend that you get live non toxic plants and wash them well both sides of the leaves since veileds eat leaves sometimes...especially the females.

Females also can lay eggs without having been mated so she will need a lay bin in the cage at all times soon. You will need to be careful not to overfeed her or keep her basking temperature above 80F once she is approaching maturity so she won't become egg bound and die.

 

[jblair586]

I have a female veiled chameleon I got her on October 7th of 2020. I got her at Petco. I don’t usually handle her at all I get her out when I clean her tank but that’s it. She is fed 8-10 crickets and sometimes small dubia roaches everyday. I was dusting them very lightly with calcium (brand is repti calcium)but I was told to stop calcium for a couple weeks so I am, and I was giving her a multi vitamin(brand reptivite)every two weeks but was told to stop that too. For watering I have a dripper a water bowl and the water builds up on the plants as well. I mist the whole tank 3-4 times a day for under a minute. The description of her fecal matter would be it’s solid and a darker brown. I have a glass tank and the dimensions are 24 1/2 by 11.11. Her light schedule is turn on the ubv at 10am and

turn it off at 10pm. The temp in the tank is usually 80-85°f. The humidity is always between 40% to 70%. I have no live plants I have plastic reptile plants. The tank is located in a reptile room with a celling fan but it’s not always on. The tank is at least 3-4 feet off the ground. I am located in West Virginia. She has write/ yellow build up around her nostrils that won’t go away ive tried stopping calcium completely and only using very small amounts but still won’t seem to go away it looks like it’s blocking her nostrils completely but she can still breath. What do I need to do to clear it up and should I get it off her nostrils?

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

The white stuff (we chameleon people call it Snalt) is not calcium and not from the vitamins....so don't cut them out.It's a build up of other salts that the chameleon does not need so they are blown out its nose. It's harmless and you don't need to do anything about it unless it blocks the nostril completely.

 

[nightanole]

View attachment 291274​

I am also part of the "you mean its not excess calcium?" mast race. But the forums taught me about nose salt about 6 years ago lol

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I agree with continuing supplements. A schedule I find easy to follow is dusting with calcium (without D3) every day except Sundays. On Sundays, I alternate vitamins and calcium with D3.

I would remove the water bowl; extremely few chameleons will drink from a bowl—they seem to prefer drinking off of leaves. Standing water is also a breeding ground for nasties.

Your misting schedule ("under a minute") seems a bit light. I suggest misting until the water begins to run off—that's a good duration.

I would also replace all the plastic plants with real ones. Live plants help increase and maintain humidity, and won't hurt if your cham gets a bit peckish and takes a chomp or three.

The "tank" is too small. Adult Veileds & Panthers need an enclosure of 24"x24"x48"H minimum.

When you fill out the questionnaire, please include pics of your enclosure from the lighting all the way down to the substrate & drainage. Thanks.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I am also part of the "you mean its not excess calcium?" mast race. But the forums taught me about nose salt about 6 years ago lol

Upon reading the OP, I was thinking it may have been a URI. I'm glad it isn't—she just needs a hankie. (kidding).