Some Questions

[StarShadow197]

I am in the process of trying to help my little female veiled cham. she has the beginning stages of MBD. I noticed her falling a little and have moved her into a smaller kritter keeper thing. She is doing a little better....not well enough to go back into her bigger cage. She is getting calcium drops twice a day. She gets crickets every day, sometimes I have to hand feed her. And at least 30 min of sunlight a day, given the weather cooperates. she does have a new UVB light and a drip system for the little cage.

My mom has been trying to research stuff online about care for Zoey. There are a lot of ppl that have different views about caring for these lizard.

I am looking for advise about how I can help Zoey feel better and what are the best foods that she should be getting (while she is sick and once she recovers).

 

[cass737]

I am sure that others will have better and more detailed advice - but for now, I can tell you that Phoenix worms are a good option for chams with MBD as they are very high in calcium.

Good luck!

 

[kinyonga]

When a chameleon has MBD you first need to get the problem corrected by giving it extra calcium...preferably liquid calcium sandoz or glucose, etc because liquids are more readily absorbed while also ensuring that it has exposure to the UVB light and has proper temperatures so it can digest its food properly.

Then you need to keep its nutrients in balance by supplementing properly and feeding/gutloading the insects properly as well as providing the property UVB and temperatures to keep it from returning.

It's recommended that you dust at most feedings with a phosphorous - free calcium powder to help make up for the usually poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous found in most feeder insects.

It's recommended that you dust twice a month with a phosphorous - free calcium D3 powder so 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. D3 from supplements can build up in the system but D3 from exposure to UVB won't as long as the chameleon can move in and out of the UVB when it wants to.

It's also important to dust twice a month with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A. PrOformed vitamin A cannot build up in the system and lead to overdoses like prEformed sources can so it leaves it up to you to decide when/if the chameleon needs prEformed vitamin A.

You can feed/gutload the insects such as crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms with a wide assortment of greens such as collards, escarole, endive, dandelion greens and veggies such as carrots, sweet red pepper, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, etc.

Good luck with your chameleon!

 

[StarShadow197]

Thanks everyone. I bought some phoenix worms and she seems to like them. She ate 4 just now. How often should I offer the worms? I know she loves the heck out of horn worms, but are they ok for her to eat while she is recovering.

The crickets are eating bananna peels, spinach and grapes. What else is safe for them to eat...till zoey eats them.

She is getting lots of fluids and calcium powder that has no d3. I really appreciate all the help.

 

[Psychobunny]

You dont want to use spinach, it's high in oxalic acid which interferes with the absorption of the calcium.
Same with stuff like broccoli and cabbage.

Check out Sandra's blogs of fruits and veggies that are good to use as gutloads.
She is our resident expert

Short list of good gutload foods:
carrot
dandelion
squash
romaine
mustard greens
sweet potato
arugula
apple
orange
papaya
blueberry

Commercial gutloads:
cricket crack
Repashy bug burger

 

[StarShadow197]

Ok. I will take away the spinach. She is not too fond of the worms right now. I think they taste a little funny.

Is it ok for her to get some meal worms or hornworms. I was reading that if they dont use their tongues that they can atrophy. I know I wont be able to give her dubias or spotted roaches, because we are living with my mom.

What about the Fluckers of Zilla cricket food? Are they any good. I cant find Cricket Crack at any stores in my area.

 

[StarShadow197]

When should I offer Zoey thick branches to climb on?

 

[Psychobunny]

Avoid Fluker's brand gut loads, they are crap!

Cricket crack is only available online from Tiki Tiki repiles website.

Repashy's Bug Burger is another good gutload.
You mix it with water, and it forms a solid that you can slice and feed to your cricks. It has everything they need already in it, and you keep it in the fridge.
Some breeders, such as the Kammer's, use bug burger as their main gutload.

 

[Psychobunny]

When should I offer Zoey thick branches to climb on?

I like to use natural tree branches.
Choose branches that are smooth, and not much bark or loose skin for tiny insects and parasites to hide in.
Pick branches that very in thickness, chams are unique in the reptile world in that they have long enough legs
and wide feet so they can climb on very narrow branches.
A veriety of thickness will prevent fatugue and stress in their feet, just like birds.
I have branches from about 1/4'' up to 1'' thick.

I use branches from my dogwood tree, nice and smooth.

Cut your branches to size, and scrub them with hot water and dish soap using a stiff brush.
Allow to dry compleatly before using.