Vitamins and Supplements

[JaysonDuque83]

I have 2 panther chameleons, and I just want to double check with everyone what types of vitamins and supplements everyone gives their panther's, and what sort of schedule they follow. If you could please give me a list of the vitamins they are supposed to be getting and when, that would be great.

Also, a website of where to get these vitamins and supplements would great as well..

Thank you.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Hi there, You want 3 different powered supplements
1) phosphorous free calcium with out D3; dust feeders daily
2) phosphorous free calcium with D3; dust feeders twice month
3) multivitamin; dust feeders twice a month
As to what kind and where to get them check our sponsor list. many carry these and can be ordered online or check your local pet store

 

[sandrachameleon]

You want a phosphorous free calcium dusted on most feeders. Two commonly used brands are Rep-Cal and Sticky Tongues Miner-all - O.

You want a calcium powder that also contains D3 used periodically (how often depends on your situation and the brand of supplement). Commonly used brands are Rep-cal, Nutrobol, Sticky Tongues Miner-all -I.

You also want a vitamin supplement used periodically (depends on how well you gutload as to how necessary this is)

Here are two blogs that should help:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/174-whats-supplements-brand.html

 

[JaysonDuque83]

thank you

 

[Zajlol]

Panther chameleon shaking

Hey I have a quick question I have had my panther chameleon for 2 months and he is 4 months old bug I just now knoticed that his legs were starting to shake when he walks! What do I do he also started to shed this morning I dont know if that has anything to do with but I need help. I gut load the ckrickets with apple or orange then he has a 60 watt UVA and 5.0 UVB I use 2 supplements I use the calcium with that one thing that helps with the sun, and the multi-vitamins. So can you please help thanks.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Hey I have a quick question I have had my panther chameleon for 2 months and he is 4 months old bug I just now knoticed that his legs were starting to shake when he walks! What do I do he also started to shed this morning I dont know if that has anything to do with but I need help. I gut load the ckrickets with apple or orange then he has a 60 watt UVA and 5.0 UVB I use 2 supplements I use the calcium with that one thing that helps with the sun, and the multi-vitamins. So can you please help thanks.

I suggest you start a new thread in the health forum, and type out all the answers to the "how to ask for help" questionaire (sticky at the top of that forum section). On the surface of it, sounds like you need to gutload much better and provide a calcium WithOUT D3 (too much D3 can build up in their system and cause problems).

 

[kinyonga]

Here is some information that I hope will help....
Appropriate cage temperatures aid in digestion and thus play a part indirectly in nutrient absorption.

Exposure to UVB from either direct sunlight or a proper UVB light allows the chameleon to produce D3 so that it can use the calcium in its system to make/keep the bones strong and be used in other systems in the chameleon as well. The UVB should not pass through glass or plastic no matter whether its from the sun or the UVB light. The most often recommended UVB light is the long linear fluorescent Repti-sun 5.0 tube light. Some of the compacts, spirals and tube lights have caused health issues, but so far there have been no bad reports against this one.

Since many of the feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus in them, its important to dust the insects just before you feed them to the chameleon at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder to help make up for it. (I use Rep-cal phosphorus-free calcium).

If you also dust twice a month with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder it will ensure that your chameleon gets some D3 without overdoing it. It leaves the chameleon to produce the rest of what it needs through its exposure to the UVB light. D3 from supplements can build up in the system but D3 produced from exposure to UVB shouldn't as long as the chameleon can move in and out of it. (I use Rep-cal phos.-free calcium/D3).

Dusting twice a month as well with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A will ensure that the chameleon gets some vitamins without the danger of overdosing the vitamin A. PrEformed sources of vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD. However, there is controversy as to whether all/any chameleons can convert the beta carotene and so some people give some prEformed vitamin A once in a while. (I use herptivite which has beta carotene.)

Gutloading/feeding the insects well helps to provide what the chameleon needs. I gutload crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms, etc. with an assortment of greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.)

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are important players in bone health and other systems in the chameleon (muscles, etc.) and they need to be in balance. When trying to balance them, you need to look at the supplements, what you feed the insects and what you feed the chameleon.

Here are some good sites for you to read...
http://chameleonnews.com/07FebWheelock.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200605020...Vitamin.A.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200406080...d.Calcium.html
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/
http://web.archive.org/web/200601140...ww.adcham.com/
If you can't access the sites above that have the word "archive" in you can do it through the WayBackMachine.