laxworriors100
New Member
I read that its really bad to give your chameleon D3 supplement every day. And i looked at the calcium that im dusting my crickets with and it has D3 in it. Now why is it so bad for him and what should i do to fix it?
Is D3 supplement bad?
- Thread starter laxworriors100
- Start date
Chase
Chameleon Enthusiast
It isn't bad for him. But too much might cause problems. Vitamin D3 helps with the absorbtion of Calcium. You definately need to lower the intake of it though. I only supplement Calcium with Vitamin D3 once a week. Every other feeding I do Calcium without Vitamin D3.
LPR08
laxworriors100
New Member
is the calcium with out D3 a powder or the gel stuff?
Chase
Chameleon Enthusiast
It is also a powder. Here are a few links of different supplements.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...d-cage-cleaners/-/rep-cal-calcium-without-d3/
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...ers/-/sticky-tongue-minerall-outdoor-formula/
laxworriors100
New Member
laxworriors100
New Member
yeah. is that bad?
Chase
Chameleon Enthusiast
That is not a supplement to put on the feeders, but a gutload to feed the insects you feed to the cham. You will need one of the supplements I add in the link, plus this one:
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...cleaners/-/repcal-ultra-fine-calcium-with-d3/
jcal
Member
ummm. i dont think its good. you shouldnt be dusting crickets with this before you feed them to the chameleon
cricket feed is only what you should be feeding the crickets prior to feeding them to your chameleon. you also need to dust the crickets with a calcium supplement
now i understand your gel question. again thats just for the crickets so that they can have water. for the crickets the gel and the cricket food you are using is fine. but you need to pick up a calcium supplement and dust the crickets with it before feeding to the chameleon
laxworriors100
New Member
okay ill go out tomorrow and buy the calcium powder. But i dont think petsmart had it without D3 though. can i give him just regular crickets without anything?
vegas shooby
New Member
its okay for now but make sure u get that powder stuff asap....and make your gutloading....for now and always
jcal
Member
yes feeding crickets without dusting will be fine for a while.
your on the right track and your doing the best thing by coming here and asking questions.
pick this up tomorrow
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754048
how old is your chameleon? i would only use this product 2 or 3 time a week depending on how old your cham is. the rest of the time just dont dust them
laxworriors100
New Member
okay thanks for the help.
Chase
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes. I often do it. In between feedings with the Calcium without D3
vegas shooby
New Member
no thank you
D3 from supplements can build up in the chameleon's system and lead to health issues and symptoms of MBD. D3 produced from exposure to the UVB light (most often recommended UVB light...long linear fluorescent Repti-sun 5.0 tube light) should not cause an overdose as long as the chameleon can move in and out of the UVB. UVB should not pass through glass or plastic, BTW. Dusting twice a month with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder ensures that the chameleon gets some D3 without overdoing it and leaving it to produce the rest from its exposure to the UVB.
D3, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin A are all important players in bone health and they need to be in a balance. They not only play parts in bone health but in other systems in the chameleon's body too. When balancing them, you need to look at what you feed the chameleon, what you gutload/feed the insects and what supplements you use.
There are two "kinds" of vitamin A involved...beta carotene (a.k.a. prOformed vitamin A) which is converted to vitamin A (by the body as needed in animals that are able to convert it....and its controversial for chameleons as to whether all/any of them can convert it). Beta carotene won't build up in the chameleon's system for sure though since it is only converted as needed. Then there is prEformed vitamin A (palmitate, acetate, retinol, etc.) that is exactly that...prEformed or already to go. This prEformed vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD....so it should be used with care.
Dusting twice a month with a vitamin powder with a beta carotene source of vitamin A will help to provide the vitamins the chameleon needs without overdosing the vitamin A....and leaving the chameleon's owner in charge of how much (if any) prEformed vitamin A to give the chameleon.
Since most insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phos. its important to dust the insects at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder to make up for it.
Appropriate temperatures allow the chameleon to better digest its food and thus indirectly in nutrient absorption.
Gutloading/feeding the crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms, etc. with a wide variety of greens (dandelions, collards, kale, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.) will keep the crickets healthy and thus help your chameleon too.
I know you only asked about D3 but all of this goes hand in hand. Hope this helps!
D3, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin A are all important players in bone health and they need to be in a balance. They not only play parts in bone health but in other systems in the chameleon's body too. When balancing them, you need to look at what you feed the chameleon, what you gutload/feed the insects and what supplements you use.
There are two "kinds" of vitamin A involved...beta carotene (a.k.a. prOformed vitamin A) which is converted to vitamin A (by the body as needed in animals that are able to convert it....and its controversial for chameleons as to whether all/any of them can convert it). Beta carotene won't build up in the chameleon's system for sure though since it is only converted as needed. Then there is prEformed vitamin A (palmitate, acetate, retinol, etc.) that is exactly that...prEformed or already to go. This prEformed vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD....so it should be used with care.
Dusting twice a month with a vitamin powder with a beta carotene source of vitamin A will help to provide the vitamins the chameleon needs without overdosing the vitamin A....and leaving the chameleon's owner in charge of how much (if any) prEformed vitamin A to give the chameleon.
Since most insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phos. its important to dust the insects at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder to make up for it.
Appropriate temperatures allow the chameleon to better digest its food and thus indirectly in nutrient absorption.
Gutloading/feeding the crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms, etc. with a wide variety of greens (dandelions, collards, kale, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.) will keep the crickets healthy and thus help your chameleon too.
I know you only asked about D3 but all of this goes hand in hand. Hope this helps!
