Zen Reptiles
Avid Member
It's a slippery slope, I and several other keepers here had sever issues and some deaths from using the original Repashy Calcium PLUS.... after the discussion here, which Allen Repashy was a part of, he remodified the formula to the one with a Jackson's chameleon on the label, whichis Calcium PLUS Lo D.
I still feel that the all-in-one should be used only once a week....calcium NO D every other feeding....multi-vitamin once every two weeks.....and no D3 since the calcium PLUS has it and this should be enough with UVB lights provided.
Most people overdo supplements with chameleons... from http://reptiles.guru/chameleon/ultimate-chameleon-care-guide/
I still feel that the all-in-one should be used only once a week....calcium NO D every other feeding....multi-vitamin once every two weeks.....and no D3 since the calcium PLUS has it and this should be enough with UVB lights provided.
Most people overdo supplements with chameleons... from http://reptiles.guru/chameleon/ultimate-chameleon-care-guide/
Supplementation is a hot topic with chameleon care. Since we cannot go to Madagascar to collect the 50,000+ insects that provide proper nutrition for a chameleon, we must rely on supplements. However, the current method of dusting insects is that of an 'overdose' standpoint. While some dusting is important, too much vitamin powder can cause serious problems like gout, kidney failure, liver toxicity, tongue & eye problems, and death. Gutloading should be your primary method of supplementing, and powdering should be secondary. By feeding the insects a nutritious diet, they pre-digest the nutrients – this makes the nutrients more bio-available to the chameleon. Essentially, by gutloading an insect, you are turning its stomach into a ‘vitamin capsule.’
A plain calcium supplement can be LIGHTLY dusted daily. When beginners use too much supplement, we call this ‘Ghosting’ because the insect becomes pure white. The supplement powder should only be barely visible on the insect’s body. Calcium + D3 use depends on the chameleon’s exposure to natural light – if you keep your chameleon outdoors permanently or only for part of the year, he does not need any D3 at all for the duration of that time. If kept indoors with a UVB light, D3 is necessary but only once a week for females and once every 10 days to two weeks for males (because of egg production). The UVB light will cause your chameleon to produce his own vitamin D3 (remember, it's a hormone and can be produced within the body!), but supplementing with D3 too often can cause a buildup which is toxic to vital organs. A multivitamin is good to use once per week for adults.
A plain calcium supplement can be LIGHTLY dusted daily. When beginners use too much supplement, we call this ‘Ghosting’ because the insect becomes pure white. The supplement powder should only be barely visible on the insect’s body. Calcium + D3 use depends on the chameleon’s exposure to natural light – if you keep your chameleon outdoors permanently or only for part of the year, he does not need any D3 at all for the duration of that time. If kept indoors with a UVB light, D3 is necessary but only once a week for females and once every 10 days to two weeks for males (because of egg production). The UVB light will cause your chameleon to produce his own vitamin D3 (remember, it's a hormone and can be produced within the body!), but supplementing with D3 too often can cause a buildup which is toxic to vital organs. A multivitamin is good to use once per week for adults.
- Montane species and pygmy species require much less supplementation. Calcium must be done very lightly, and can be done daily. Vitamin D3 only needs to be used once every 10-14 days if kept indoors with a UVB light. A multivitamin should be used only once every two weeks.
- Females who are breeding can have all their supplements doubled during the breeding and egg producing season.
- Babies require more supplementation because they are growing. Calcium every feeding. Multivitamin (lightly dusted) two-three times per week. D3 (lightly dusted) twice per week (with UVB light). Cut supplementing back once they near adult size.
