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Powder on nose?

dennis181 Apr 04, 2005 07:07 PM

Hi,
I purchased a yellow uromastyx today and noticed he has what appears to be a white powder on his nose and top of head is this normal or should I be concerned?
Thanks in advance,
Dennis

Replies (12)

dennis181 Apr 04, 2005 08:07 PM
esoteric Apr 04, 2005 08:42 PM

Completely normal. Uros expel salts through their nostrils. Sometimes it builds up into big chunks on mine, but they manage to knock it off eventually.
The picture is very fuzzy, but it looks to me (vaguely in the light) like the hip bones might be protruding on either side of the tail? The animal looks fairly thin even if they aren't. Keep a close eye on its eating, if you can, monitor its weight, and if you haven't, visit a vet to get a fecal exam done to check for parasites, etc.
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2.4.0 uromastyx geyri (Saharan/Nigerian)
0.0.4 uromastyx hardwickii (Indian)
2.3.0 uromastyx macfadyeni (Somalian)
1.3.0 uromastyx ocellata (Sudanese)
"Yes, it's a problem. No, I don't want to talk about it."

attentiveear Apr 04, 2005 08:44 PM

Hi Dennis and welcome to the uros! This white powder is normal and typically is a combo of sodium/calcium deposits around the nostrils. If it is present, it sould be in small amounts and typically comes off with a little water, though is a natural occurence from time to time in mostly dessert dwelling herps.
On the head? this could also be a bit of the deposits, or if it is not powdery, it is probably shedding.

Good luck!

Greg

dennis181 Apr 04, 2005 09:16 PM

Thanks for all the quick replies. I didn't see this in the store so maybe some salts got rubbed onto his head; while he was in the lizard sack.
Thanks again,
Dennis

beaverman Apr 05, 2005 01:21 AM

It's tasty

jeune18 Apr 05, 2005 04:10 AM

unfortunately snalt has ended up in my mouth before and i would definitely say it has a taste, but would not consider it tasty! (this episode was followed by several minutes of listerine)
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

esoteric Apr 05, 2005 02:07 PM

Come on, give us all the gory details
I want to know if it's anything like this:
http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/105766.html
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2.4.0 uromastyx geyri (Saharan/Nigerian)
0.0.4 uromastyx hardwickii (Indian)
2.3.0 uromastyx macfadyeni (Somalian)
1.3.0 uromastyx ocellata (Sudanese)
"Yes, it's a problem. No, I don't want to talk about it."

jeune18 Apr 05, 2005 09:31 PM

well it actually just tastes like salt but i think knowing that it goes through some glands or something and then out their nose makes it mentally taste alot worse. unfortunately it does not get you high or i think alot more people would be interested in lizards, ha ha!
-----
vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

jaffar311 Apr 05, 2005 11:55 AM

What your Uro has on his head is most likely his own poop, or that from another at the store. It is VERY common to find this on fresh imports as they have so many shipped together. It will eventually come off if you leave it alone. I agree with everyone that he does look thin, you should add a frozen veggie mix or just some peas to his fresh greens to help get some weight on him (be sure to dust the food though). I am not too sure on nanners though.
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1.1 Ornates (Lindsay Pike)(Doug Dix)
0.0.1 Mali
0.1 Weimaraner

dennis181 Apr 05, 2005 01:37 PM

Come to think of it that's what the store has been feeding him. The store owners mean well but due to the store's remote location have trouble getting knowledgeable (and competent) help. Compared to THIS pic in the caresheets and mine does look quite thin. Besides the peas, greens and veggie mix what else should I offer to specifically build him back up? What should I not offer?

I thought I should explain why an uro could be so hard to get a clear picture of. I have severe myoclonus that makes my hands shake. My animals are the best therapy I have.

Thanks,
Dennis

jeune18 Apr 05, 2005 09:39 PM

deerfernfarms.com has a great thing on what they can and cannot eat. when i first got helga and she was really thin, someone suggested that i feed her fresh soy beans. she really liked them and i used them to fatten her up but i am not sure all that protein is that good for them all the time. you can also try birdseed (no sunflower seeds) and dry bean mixes (like the 15 bean soup).
i had never heard of that disorder before. it is neat that having animals can help it out, i am glad you chose lizards. welcome to the forum and i hope that he fattens up for you.
-----
vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

dennis181 Apr 09, 2005 10:46 PM

I wanted to stop by and thank everybody for the sugestions and info. But he didn't make it; I did get a refund though. Sorry, for the slow followup(computer problems).

Thanks again,
Dennis

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