Newby needs help.

[AZcham new boy]

Hi guys and gals, im in the uk and am gettin my chameleon in the next few weeks but am having problems gettin him, i was just wondering if anybody knew a shop or site that can supply.

1 other thing is, iv found the calcium powder to give him daily but cant find 1 with d3 to give him twice a month, any brands that are recomended?

Thanx to any1 who can help
az

 

[kinyonga]

Sorry I can't help you with your questions since I don't live in the UK...
but here's some information about chameleon husbandry with some links at the bottom...

Exposure to proper UVB, appropriate temperatures, supplements, a supply of well-fed/gutloaded insects, water and an appropriate cage set-up are all important for the well-being of your chameleon.

Appropriate cage temperatures aid in digestion and thus play a part indirectly in nutrient absorption. Temperatures required vary somewhat with the species and the age of the chameleon.

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.)

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://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/200601140...ww.adcham.com/

 

[KatCham]

Hi guys and gals, im in the uk and am gettin my chameleon in the next few weeks but am having problems gettin him, i was just wondering if anybody knew a shop or site that can supply.

1 other thing is, iv found the calcium powder to give him daily but cant find 1 with d3 to give him twice a month, any brands that are recomended?

Thanx to any1 who can help
az

Depends on type of chameleon:

I use T-Rex Chameleon Dust which is a multi vit/calcium/d3 supp. I ordered it online from

www.reptilekeeping.co.uk

I had got Nutrobal which also contains D3 but I was warned against it for panther chameleons by a very reputable breeder. For some reason the Nutrobal caused swelling of the neck in panther chameleons but is fine for other species.

Hope that helps.

 

[AZcham new boy]

Thanx for the advice, but does that t-rex get used every day or is that the twice a month substrate, just want to be sure as this is the last item i need thanx again aaron

 

[allymc]

I was told exo terra calcium with d3 and exo terra vitamins x

 

[KatCham]

Thanx for the advice, but does that t-rex get used every day or is that the twice a month substrate, just want to be sure as this is the last item i need thanx again aaron

Use the komodo calcium without d3 everyday.

Use the t rex multi vit with d3 once a week. Although advice from the breeder I spoke to said it seemed better for them to have it a little twice a week rather than one bigger dose once a week, so I am going with it twice a week....when he'll eat that is!!! LOL

 

[Itwas]

Amazon

you want this almost everyday - http://www.amazon.co.uk/ZooMed-Reptile-Calcium-Supplement-without/dp/B000UJPHMW/ref=sr_1_40?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1299101135&sr=1-40
and this once a fortnight - http://www.amazon.co.uk/ZooMed-Reptivite-Reptile-Zoo-Vitamins/dp/B0002AQB6A/ref=sr_1_18?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1299101120&sr=1-18

 

[AZcham new boy]

Cheers guys big help, just got to wait 1more week then im gettin him
thanx again az