White stuff on my chameleons nostrils

there is white stuff coming out of my chameleons nostrils and it is quite annoying i would like to know if anyone has any idea what this could be

how much calcium and vitamins are you administering, it could be an overdose. chameleons remove the excess suppliments from their noses.

What is your current dusting schedule and what are you using to dust?

Like Jeremy stated sounds like over supplementation with calcium.

I rarely ever give him supplements i have only given him 1 batch of crickets that actually had supplements on them

check the temps. the white stuff could be salt buildup which means its too hot.

I have always thought that the white powder coming out of the nose of a chameleon was salts...not calcium salts (which I thought were always clear)...so I would be interested in reading any papers that confirm that it is also including calcium...or to hear it from a veterinarian.

You need to be giving your cham supplements IF you want a healthy cham.

kinyonga said:

I have always thought that the white powder coming out of the nose of a chameleon was salts...not calcium salts (which I thought were always clear)...so I would be interested in reading any papers that confirm that it is also including calcium...or to hear it from a veterinarian.

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According to this vet "Iguanids that are herbivores have nasal salt glands that excrete excess sodium chloride through sneezing. This clear fluid from the sneeze dries into a fine, white powder. However, chameleons don’t perform this activity, so this must be something else".

Other possible causes. It is just one opinion , but I am very interested in the subject. I am going to do some more searching to see what I can find.

http://www.reptilechannel.com/lizar...lizards/lizard-care/chameleon-white-substance


By Margaret A. Wissman, DVM, DABVP


Our female chameleon has a white substance around her nostrils. What is this, and what can I use to clean this up other than water, being that her skin is so sensitive?
I have two thoughts as to what this white substance might be. Iguanids that are herbivores have nasal salt glands that excrete excess sodium chloride through sneezing. This clear fluid from the sneeze dries into a fine, white powder. However, chameleons don’t perform this activity, so this must be something else.
I wonder if you live in a hard water area of the country (a condition where there are lots of dissolved minerals in the water) and this is collecting as a white substance on her face as the hard water evaporates. If this is occurring, I would recommend switching to bottled spring water, and although this may result in a mineral build-up over time, this should help.
Have you noticed your chameleon sneezing? If that is the case, this white substance can be dried secretion from an upper respiratory infection.
You didn’t give me much information to go on, so I am just offering suggestions. I don’t know about your water delivery system or the temperature and humidity of your chameleon’s environment.
If the build-up of the white substance is a new symptom, then I would definitely recommend that you have your lizard examined by a qualified herp vet.

Ok thanks guys ill check some of this stuff out

jannb said:

You need to be giving your cham supplements IF you want a healthy cham.

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Yes I agree with Jann . You need to be supplementing.

tayray94 said:

Ok thanks guys ill check some of this stuff out

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Would you mind posting some pictures of the nostril and Chameleon?

Ryan Jarosek..what you quoted doesn't mention that there is any calcium included in the white "snalt" that comes out of a chameleon's nose. My concern is that if there is no calcium in the "snalt" and people start to cut back on the calcium they will end up with chameleons with a shortage of calcium....so I would like to read some paper that tells what specifically comes out of the chameleon's nose.

kinyonga said:

Ryan Jarosek..what you quoted doesn't mention that there is any calcium included in the white "snalt" that comes out of a chameleon's nose. My concern is that if there is no calcium in the "snalt" and people start to cut back on the calcium they will end up with chameleons with a shortage of calcium....so I would like to read some paper that tells what specifically comes out of the chameleon's nose.

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That is why I mentioned "I am very interested in the subject. I am going to do some more searching to see what I can find. "

I would like to read anything that says it is not calcium if you have some links or supporting information for your theory. I would like to educate myself in the subject and anything you could provide would be very helpful

I agree with you 100% that cutting back is not a good idea. I am very interested and would like to know the real cause. Seeing a pic would prove helpful as I am not sure they are crystals in the nostril and not white powder. It has not really been specified.

kinyonga said:

Ryan Jarosek..what you quoted doesn't mention that there is any calcium included in the white "snalt" that comes out of a chameleon's nose. My concern is that if there is no calcium in the "snalt" and people start to cut back on the calcium they will end up with chameleons with a shortage of calcium....so I would like to read some paper that tells what specifically comes out of the chameleon's nose.

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Also just to clarify and clear up any confusion , reading through the posts I never mentioned cutting back on supplements. I was trying to find out what and how much he dusts with. Part of the trouble shooting process. It has been the experience of more than one member that calcium can cause the white powder nostril issue. I would like to find out is taht is true. I was working on the information of people whom have had the experience of over supplementation. My intention was to help answer the poster of the threads question and provide possibilities.

I actually recommended supplementation.

You said..."It has been the experience of more than one member that calcium can cause the white powder nostril issue"...how do they know its calcium though?

kinyonga said:

You said..."It has been the experience of more than one member that calcium can cause the white powder nostril issue"...how do they know its calcium though?

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I do not know if they know for sure if it were calcium or not. I was hoping you or possibly another forum member had some articles or links that have evidence it is / is not Calcium so I could read on it. Just digging for information. I would like to find out the answer to the questions you are asking as well. If it is calcium is not really my concern rather identifying what it is accurately. If you happen to have any information I would love to read about it.

You bring up a good point "how do they know its calcium though". I wish someone who has some information would chime in on the subject.

My concern over people saying that its calcium is that if it isn't calcium and people who's chameleons have this white powder around the nostrils cut down on the calcium thinking it will help they may be leaving their chameleons short of calcium.

I'm still trying to find some studies/papers that describe what that white powder consists of. So far all that I have found say that its salts...but not salts of what.

kinyonga said:

My concern over people saying that its calcium is that if it isn't calcium and people who's chameleons have this white powder around the nostrils cut down on the calcium thinking it will help they may be leaving their chameleons short of calcium.

I'm still trying to find some studies/papers that describe what that white powder consists of. So far all that I have found say that its salts...but not salts of what.

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I share your concern about cutting back. Very good point.

If you do find something please share I would really like to read about it. I will share if I find anything as well.

Thanks

hah, no sweat, i know exactly what this is actually, my chameleon had the same thing once..up your humidity a little and it will go away- works every time.

i know that marine iguanas because they drink sea water excrete large amounts of sodium from their nostrils they can be seen basking with large clumps of salt around their nostrils