Blang
Established Member
But the honey is a different kind of sugar than cane sugar processed by humans!
Probiotics?
- Thread starter Extensionofgreen
- Start date
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Honey has healing abilities it actually comes from the bee, honey possesses unique life supporting qualities . It's a natural anti-septic antioxidant and has cleansing properties .
tucc185
Member
Please cite sources for its use in reptile medicine. I understand it has some good properties for humans, but I would be highly skeptical about what benefits it could have for a chameleon. Honey is broken down into glucose and fructose in the GI tract, which for a carnivorous species like a cham can cause hyperglycemia even in small quantities.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
I believe here was a study By Nicola 2013 , @Andee i know for sure uses honey , I have read more then one post with the use of Honey . As well as my vet whom I defiantly trust .
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
I don't use honey for probiotics use though, I use honey for sick animals for a boost of energy and usually mix a very small amount into their carnivore care or something. I most use honey for my frugivorius reptiles which they have a totally different metabolic system. And I prefer using organic local honey over stuff like Karo syrup.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Frances had a RI , she was put on an antibiotic (Enrofloxacin) by vet . I asked her as I stated yesterday about probiotic . She said no probiotic . I could use a bit of Honey and her reasoning was what I stated to Tucc185 . So yes it would have been in connection with sickness .
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Also yes local Honey was what she had said .
OldChamKeeper
Chameleon Enthusiast
Nursemaia
Chameleon Enthusiast
Crotchety
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Can u chim in about Honey so everyone does no think I'm nuts lol . Well I guess I am
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thank you !!.
cass737
Member
I would agree that honey can have many health benefits - here is an article on it's many uses:
http://www.bee-hexagon.net/files/file/fileE/HealthHoney/Honey_NutritionJACN.pdf
That being said, I do not believe that it acts as a probiotic. This doesn't mean it won't be helpful, but I would caution to take the information in the article in the link I just mentioned with a grain of salt because this information is all relevant to humans. I have seen honey used for wound dressings in many species (including reptiles) but whether or not it has any of the touted effects in the GI system of a chameleon I don't think can be really known (or at least I can't find any information on it!)
http://www.bee-hexagon.net/files/file/fileE/HealthHoney/Honey_NutritionJACN.pdf
That being said, I do not believe that it acts as a probiotic. This doesn't mean it won't be helpful, but I would caution to take the information in the article in the link I just mentioned with a grain of salt because this information is all relevant to humans. I have seen honey used for wound dressings in many species (including reptiles) but whether or not it has any of the touted effects in the GI system of a chameleon I don't think can be really known (or at least I can't find any information on it!)
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Frances had a RI , she was put on Enrofloxacin by her vet . In concern for her Tommy I asked if I should use a probiotic . She said no but I could use honey . It was in use for medical purposes not to use as a probiotic .
tucc185
Member
I would still strongly urge caution feeding honey to a chameleon recovering from treatment, even at a vet's recommendation. I understand there has been some research into its health benefits for humans but to supplement a chameleon after a course of antibiotics with a sugar-rich substance could cause complications, at the very least minor hyperglycemia. Many other insectivorous reptiles have a limited ability to use and store sugars so I think it is reasonable to assume chameleons would also react similarly, especially in a potentially stressed state and with gut flora out of balance after antibiotics.
Probiotics, on the other hand, I would highly recommend as this has been researched and used successfully in reptile medicine. They are also safe and almost impossible to overdose on as any excess would just be excreted.
Probiotics, on the other hand, I would highly recommend as this has been researched and used successfully in reptile medicine. They are also safe and almost impossible to overdose on as any excess would just be excreted.
cass737
Member
Sorry I missed that part Kristen, long night of studying. That makes more sense.
And I don't have a reference right now but yes, Manuka honey is preferable to other types of honey for wound dressing. That being said I've been in places where they can't afford Manuka and I've seen "regular" honey work just fine as well.
And I don't have a reference right now but yes, Manuka honey is preferable to other types of honey for wound dressing. That being said I've been in places where they can't afford Manuka and I've seen "regular" honey work just fine as well.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
It seemed to work great . She recovered amazingly fast ,She's doing great .
