Older Chameleons and Protein in their Diets

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy All,

You often hear about older dogs, for example, being put on a low protein diet to protect their kidneys and other organs from serious protein related health problems. Many of us have been feeding silkworms along with other feeders to our chameleons since they were just babies with no problems to show for it. Yet, at the same time, I'm beginning to see a pattern (humans are good at seeing patterns where none exist ) where old chameleons develop health problems that may be related to feeding them silkworms which are relatively high in protein. What made it sort of pop-out at me was a recent situation where a long-term chameleon keeper recently introduced silkworms to a 6 yr-old Veiled who, within a couple of weeks, went downhill very quickly. Falling, lethargy, little interest in food etc. all started shortly after feeding somewhat exclusively on silkworms for those few weeks. By itself, one data point doesn't make a trend. I know of several other old chameleons who had silkworms introduced late in life that had similar results including death within weeks. I think silkworms are high in plant protein rather than animal protein so that may be an important distinction. I still think that silkworms make great feeders... All things in moderation... I'd like to hear from other keepers who have chameleons that are 5+ yrs old and have been feeding silkworms. There might not be anything going on here but it is worth keeping an eye out for a pattern related to protein in the diet of older chameleons.

 

[dodolah]

interesting..
are the chameleons in mind all die with the same symptoms?

 

[Dave Weldon]

interesting..
are the chameleons in mind all die with the same symptoms?

Howdy Dodolah,

They had some overlapping symptoms. Some of those symptoms in common was the sudden onset of weakness and imbalance exhibited by falling throughout the day combined with a limited ability to right themselves and climb back up into plants.

 

[Vibrant Chameleons]

Very interesting Dave. This would be a good question to ask a herp vet. I wonder if Mr Wheelock would know anything to do with this issue?

 

[Eric Adrignola]

My old veiled has been able to put weight on only if fed hornworms and silkworms, in moderation.

I believe the problem is less a nutritional one and more a digestive one. I have seen several instances of baby chameleons develop intestinal prolapses when fed mostly silkworms.

Without a real study, all I can do is make some observations.

I think its a lack of chitin. Wihtout chitin an shard shells, chameleons' digestive system doesn't function normally. too much is bad, but too little may be worse.

My animals eat grasshoppers and even superworm beetles (chemicals washed off their rear, of course!). Their stool is always soft. Enzymes in their digestive system do break down insect exoskeletons to a degree. Do the chameleons benifit from this in ways other than purely mechanical means? As in fiber?

I believe (again, it's a belief, not a fact) that the problem you mention is a result of a lack of chitin, and not anything to do with the silkworms themselves.

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy Eric,

I too, am a believer in feeders that provide "ruffage." Chitin is not something to avoid but it does need to be supplied in moderation just as silkworms should not be overdone either.

More thoughts on prolapses from Mader's medical book:

"A common early sign of nutritional metabolic bone disease (NMBD) is cloacal prolapse. Calcium is critical to maintaining normal gastrointestinal peristalsis. In hypocalcaemia intestinal stasis occurs, resulting in bloating, which results in prolapse. The conditions are commonly diagnosed as a prolapse from internal parasites, and the calcium homeostasis is frequently ignored during treatments."