Calcium/Vitamin Help

[K. Host]

So.....I just figured out that I have been doing something terribly wrong--calcium! Please give me the schedule for calcium/vitamins. I am soooooo worried about Dizzy because her legs are very slightly rounded and I don't really look at her as close as I did today so I'm not sure if her legs have always looked that way. Help!!!! will post pic if needed!

 

[Orcawhale]

Your going to need three things. Calcium with D3, Calcium without D3, and reptile multivitamins. Your going to dust your chams food using calcium without D3 every day. And your going to do the same with Calcium with D3 and reptile multivitamins once a month. A calendar helps! I am fairly new to the world of chameleons so I'm not sure about the rounded legs, better let one of the experts answer that .

 

[carol5208]

Please post some pics of her legs.

 

[kinyonga]

If your chameleon has even the beginnings of MBD then you are going to have to correct the imbalance as well as set up the proper supplementing schedule.

The quickest way to correct the imbalance is to get a vet to give it shots of calcium until the blood calcium levels are normal and the bones, etc strong again.

ASAP...start the phosphorous-free calcium powder at most feedings. this helps make up for the poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous found in most feeder insects.

Dusting twice a month with the phosphorous-free calcium / D3 powder ensures that the chameleon gets some D3 without overdosing it and leaving the chameleon to produce the rest of the D3 from its exposure to the UVB light.

Don't forget to replace your UVB light every six month sorry so.

It's also important to dust the insects twice a month with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A. PrOformed sources of vitamin A cannot build up in the system and lead to overdoses like prEformed sources can and will leave it up to you to decide whether the chameleon needs prEformed or not (since there is controversy over whether a chameleon can convert it or not).

Appropriate temperatures allow for proper digestion and thus play a part indirectly in nutrient absorption.

Feeding / gutloading the insects is important too. Crickets, locusts, superworms, roaches. Can be fed a wide range of greens such as collards, escarole, endive, dandelion greens, kale, etc and veggies such as carrots, sweet red pepper, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, etc.

Water and cage setup are important too, of course.