Not getting enough D3???

[Psychobunny]

I hate winter in Maryland!!
Squee has been acting sick, very week, lethargic, for the past week.

He has eaten a little, by hand, and giving him water with a pipett, which he takes. He does move around his cage, and I noticed he stays as close under the UV as possible.
I measured the % UV, and got a reading of only 3!! (ordered a new bulb from Todd).

I haven't been dusting with calcium with D3, and been using Repashy Calcium Plus with the assumption it has enough D3 in it, but maybe I am wrong about that!!
The Kammer's told me that's all I will ever need as a supplement, but they raise their chams in sunny California, where I live on the East coast, and cant let my chams outside all year long. That makes a BIG difference!!

I also gave him a few drops of mineral oil, which did the trick, next day, a giant poop!!

He is getting a little better and stronger now, but still not getting his own food and water.

I am starting to dust his food with the D3 calcium starting today to find out if that is his problem.

Does anyone know what symtoms to look for if a panther is not getting enough D3??
He is alert and keeps his eyes open during the day, so no daytime sleeping, just to weak to climb around much.

 

[Psychobunny]

Almost forgot! here is a pic taken today of poor Squee.

He is under the UV most of the day. In the afternoon, he goes to the middle
of the cage where it's cooler.

 

[pigglett79]

Calcium plus has plenty of D3, in fact they get much more D3 from their lights than from the powder anyway. He is hanging his arms like they hurt, does he always hang his arms like that? Which UV meter are you using? A reading of 3 from a 6.5 is an OK reading, I keep mine between 4 and 5 UV index.

 

[ridgebax1]

His not bearing weight on his arms or legs makes me think of Ferret's cham Oscar that has gout. He would hang his legs off his branches because they were painful.

 

[Psychobunny]

Calcium plus has plenty of D3, in fact they get much more D3 from their lights than from the powder anyway. He is hanging his arms like they hurt, does he always hang his arms like that? Which UV meter are you using? A reading of 3 from a 6.5 is an OK reading, I keep mine between 4 and 5 UV index.

You mean the Repashy C+ has enough D3?
I also have Rep-Cal calcium + D3 but never used it because I assumed the Repashy stuff already had it.
Looking at the Rep-Cal label, I see it has 400,000 IU/Kg. I haven't read the
label for the Repashy stuff.

Yes, even when he was little, he would hang his arms down like that.
He is not in any pain, and I have taken him out to examine him, gently massage his arms, feet and hands, and he never tried to pull away or any sign
of pain. In fact, he didn't want me to stop!
He is just really lethargic.

I just hand fed him 2 roach nymphs and he ate them like normal.

He does not have gout, and his body functions are normal, alert, and he raises
his head up to look around, and moves around in the cage slowly.

I was just wondering if he is not getting enough D3. And maybe that is what
is slowing him down!?

I have checked, re-checked, and re-re-checked all the temps, and nothing
else is abnormal!!

He is getting better, slowly, and I don't think he is in any urgent danger, or
I would have taken him to the vet.
It's very cold and wet here, and I do not want to take him on a trip to the vet unless I have to.

Oh, and I have the Solarmeter 6.5, and I got a reading of 3% at his basking
level. So I just ordered a new bulb.

 

[ridgebax1]

I am glad he is not in pain. I hope you figure out what is going on and he gets better soon!

 

[Psychobunny]

Thanks, me too, this is a new one on me!!

It was very sudden also! he was on the free range being active, I gave him
a few roaches, put him home, and a few hours later, he was laying over on
his side on some leaves, all limp!!
I got him out and into my hand, and he was like a wet dish rage.

I thought there was something wrong with the roaches, but I fed them to all
my other chams with no problems.!!

There is what appears to be a small burn on his spine, where the, shedding skin is. I put some Neosporin on it.
It does not appear to be infected. But he may be avoiding going under the
basking light (40w incandescent) because it hurts!?

 

[fluxlizard]

When legs dangle like that- it is something else- not D3 or calcium deficiency. You should get a vet involved at this point or eventually you will loose the animal. My guess is you may have a bacterial infection that will respond to antibiotics. Check the animal's feet and tail carefully- I'll bet you find broken or worn nails or a scratch on the toes or abrasion or something somewhere... It only takes 1 location and then the infection can spread to other limbs...

Not saying that is what it is- it could be another problem- other things can lead to the same or similar symptom (gout and psuedomonas infection will lead to leg dangling- usually with some swelling though), but they all involve a need for a professional at this point.

Get a vet involved.

 

[Psychobunny]

When legs dangle like that- it is something else- not D3 or calcium deficiency. You should get a vet involved at this point or eventually you will loose the animal. My guess is you may have a bacterial infection that will respond to antibiotics. Check the animal's feet and tail carefully- I'll bet you find broken or worn nails or a scratch on the toes or abrasion or something somewhere... It only takes 1 location and then the infection can spread to other limbs...

Not saying that is what it is- it could be another problem- other things can lead to the same or similar symptom (gout and psuedomonas infection will lead to leg dangling- usually with some swelling though), but they all involve a need for a professional at this point.

Get a vet involved.

I am now thinking infection too after putting the Neosporin on his spine.

I have Reptaid I could put him on, and if no improvement, will take hime to a vet.

 

[Olimpia]

I wouldn't waste any time using Reptaid, honestly. Herbal supplements and remedies are nice and all but there's a reason why they're not called medicine.

 

[Psychobunny]

I wouldn't waste any time using Reptaid, honestly. Herbal supplements and remedies are nice and all but there's a reason why they're not called medicine.

I agree, I have no faith in them.

We have vet appointment tomorrow.
Dr Rhody has been recommended by other members, so I am taking Squee
to see him.
I dont want to waste any more time getting help for him

 

[Oliviabryant]

I'm glad to hear someone who posted in the health clinic not saying they are to broke for the vets
It's a relief to know someone is being proactive with their chameleon seeing the Dr!
Keep us updated on your little guy, I hope he feels better

 

[Psychobunny]

I'm glad to hear someone who posted in the health clinic not saying they are to broke for the vets
It's a relief to know someone is being proactive with their chameleon seeing the Dr!
Keep us updated on your little guy, I hope he feels better

Thanks, as soon as I realized it was an infection (went to vet Thursday), I didn't hesitate to take him, I didn't even ask in advance how much it would
cost, and yes, I am broke, but my chams are to important to me, so it
was $175.00 well spent.
I am treating him with Baytrill and Mupirocin 2% ointment for 10 days.
Then, it's back to the vet for a follow up.

I am going to start a new thread about this and describe what happened, because it was a lesson learned for me, and could help others.

 

[jannb]

Thanks, as soon as I realized it was an infection (went to vet Thursday), I didn't hesitate to take him, I didn't even ask in advance how much it would
cost, and yes, I am broke, but my chams are to important to me, so it
was $175.00 well spent.
I am treating him with Baytrill and Mupirocin 2% ointment for 10 days.
Then, it's back to the vet for a follow up.

I am going to start a new thread about this and describe what happened, because it was a lesson learned for me, and could help others.

I am glad to hear that Squee went to the vet and that you have a treatment plan for him. I'm hoping he has a fast recovery. I'll be keeping an eye out for you new thread to see what happen to him.

 

[that guy]

I know this is a late reply to the subject but a reptisun 5.0 bulb is all you need for D3. calcium only supplementation is all that is needed for supplements too. I've raised a veiled cham from baby to adult with absolutely no D3 supplementation and he has a very healthy bone structure. D3 supplements often lead to kidney and metabolic problems

 

[jamjam]

I know this is a late reply to the subject but a reptisun 5.0 bulb is all you need for D3. calcium only supplementation is all that is needed for supplements too. I've raised a veiled cham from baby to adult with absolutely no D3 supplementation and he has a very healthy bone structure. D3 supplements often lead to kidney and metabolic problems

Theres so many ways this can be argued:
1) just cause it worked for one cham doesnt mean its going to work for all
2)some people might also argue 5.0 bulbs arent the best choice depending on size of cage. through screening and everything else 4.0 output can be low. i know alot of people are moving to 10.0 or arcadia 6%/12%.

 

[that guy]

I understand. I'm a 2nd year vet student and I was just going off of the guidelines of our head exotics vet at our teaching hospital. Thats just what he recommends

 

[jamjam]

I understand. I'm a 2nd year vet student and I was just going off of the guidelines of our head exotics vet at our teaching hospital. Thats just what he recommends

ey, this is what this site is for what. share any and all information and we grow and learn from it. Sharing info from what you get from them would prob be great for the site