Having anxiety about MBD

[csmolins89]

So after looking around the forums today I was reading some posts about supplements and realized that the information that I was told by the people at the pet store is wrong about how I should be dusting my feeders. I have been using calcium with d3 this whole time not realizing that I should only be using it a couple times a month. I usually only dust a couple of days a week. I am very worried that I have put my chameleon Arcadius' life at risk with this. I have ordered calcium without d3 in it, no local pet stores carry without d3. He is not showing any outward signals of MBD, he eats like a champ, moves freely around the cage and doesn't seem to have any weakness that I can tell. I am probably being paranoid but I thought that I would post a picture of his legs to make sure that no one thought there is something wrong. Any advice that you can give would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[pigglett79]

Using calcium with D3 would not cause MBD. The issue is D3 overdose as D3 is a fat soluble vitamin. If he doesn't have signs of illness from D3 overdose then you may be fine and just convert to the standard schedule when you get the plain calcium.

 

[csmolins89]

That makes sense. I realize that the D3 would not cause the MBD, I was just worried that by not using calcium everyday that it could cause some issues.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

You are right, over dosing with D3 can be very harmful and can cause death. Good thing you caught it early and can make the needed changes.

 

[Olimpia]

Too much D3 actually can cause MBD because too much will impede the proper absorption of calcium (hense causing the calcium deficiency) which will mimic the symptoms of too little calcium in the diet. A little is totally necessary to absorb calcium, but too much will actually hurt the process!

I'd cut out the D3 from your supplement schedule for a while, dust your food daily with a light coating of calcium, and rely on just the UVB bulb/sunshine to give him his vitamin D for the next several weeks.

 

[pigglett79]

Too much D3 actually can cause MBD because too much will impede the proper absorption of calcium (hense causing the calcium deficiency) which will mimic the symptoms of too little calcium in the diet. A little is totally necessary to absorb calcium, but too much will actually hurt the process!

I'd cut out the D3 from your supplement schedule for a while, dust your food daily with a light coating of calcium, and rely on just the UVB bulb/sunshine to give him his vitamin D for the next several weeks.

Ah, yes great point. And given that each supplement has drastically different amounts of D3 that would also make a difference. I have known reptile keepers who used calcium with D3 exclusively without issue but perhaps those calcium supplements had low amounts of D3. It can be very complicated. But Olimpia has some great advice.

 

[csmolins89]

Thanks everyone. I am starting to feel better about this. I was really worried. I am changing his supplement schedule and will be doing calcium without d3 everyday as soon as I get it. I cannot believe that all the local pet stores in my area only carry supplements with d3 in them. You think that wouldn't be the case.