How important is vitamin A?

[Mijah139]

Hey, guys. Ive been wondering if vitamin A positively effects the chameleons eyes like it does humans. If so, is it something to keep in mind when supplementing and feeding? Is gutloading carrots a good idea to pass vitamin A to the cham? Let me know if you guys know anything or do anything relating to vitamin A

 

[sandrachameleon]

hello
yes vitamin a is important. Inadequate amounts of A can result in calcium absorption issues, eye sight issues, etc.
it is not known to what degree chameleons can convert beta carotene (what is in carrots) into vitamin A. and its not known which insects do this either. so many feel providing some pre-formed vitamin a / retinol via supplement or gutload is necessary.

you don't want to provide an excessive amount though. Excess preformed vitamin A can prevent the D3 from doing its job, and cause other issues. Pre-formed Vitamin A can be over-dosed with.

You may find these links useful - a great deal of discussion about vitamin A is within them:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/food-thought-12472
http://web.archive.org/web/200605020...Vitamin.A.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/chame...nt-want-21534/
Seriously worried.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/carrots-vit-23572
http://jgp.rupress.org/cgi/reprint/47/3/433.pdf
Vitamin A....it scares me
http://www.peteducation.com/article....+1796&aid=3027
Insects and vitamin A and other nutrients.
Vitamins and othr nutrients...
http://www.mendeley.com/research/car...ifer-pardalis/
Vitamin A Supplements From Dr. Ivan Alfonso's Blog
Supplement Confusion
http://www.uvma.org/chameleon/vitaminA.htm
https://www.chameleonforums.com/gutload-vitamin-27997/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/olimpia/573-chameleon-physiology-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/174-whats-supplements-brand.html

 

[Mijah139]

thanks sandra, i should have known that you would be the one to ask