Overdosing on Calcium?

[Andee]

I know overdosing on certain vitamins (like D3) can cause MBD symptoms. Well I have been doing liquid calcium with Ryker every day, as well as a Load repashy supplement... I am wondering if I should reduce the liquid calcium or just stop it all together because it could be causing MBD symptoms? I have not gotten his blood tested and I would prefer to stay away from that if at all a possibility due to his health at the moment. I am not sure how much it would deplete him? Thanks everyone

 

[jannb]

My guys get allot of outside time and my vet says with the outside time and the wide variety of well gutloaded feeders we use that my guys do not need any supplements. In the wild they don't get supplements. I think they can have medical issues from all supplements but calcium is used for MBD.

 

[Andee]

I agree, and the liquid calcium I would assume would be causing more of a difference than it has been? Unless it really is he is just not getting enough D3 as a supplement. Which honestly in my opinion doesn't make a ton of sense? Other than his lights are cut a bit in some areas by an extra layer of screening? But not all of it is cut like that and it is a huge light that covers his entire 2 ftx2ftx4ft cage diagonally on top. He was showing very slight signs of MBD way back when because of me trying to fix his eye issues and having to rely on sunshine a bit too much and not having good weather for a bit too long and then trying to balance artificial uvb safely with his eyes *shakes head* anyway. At the moment I use Repashy LoD as a supplement for him every feeding, and I use it safely with Hope (who is my jackson) anywhere from 1-2 times a week.

Ryker gets .4 cc of liquid calcium almost every day because that's when he gets fed. Sometimes I will skip 1-2 days a week...

I just want to make sure he isn't being negatively affected by any of my supplementing? And figured since I wasn't exactly positive I would consult some other people for sure before deciding to do something more risky like blood work.

He's gotten much worse (which is why I am taking full advantage of the weather while it stays good with all my guys), as far as his mbd goes. His grip on his feet has been worse overall and his feet are shaky. He also has been grabbing himself. I know these are all classic signs of bone issues.... I am just not honestly sure why it's happening? So a bit worried. I did a combo shot of vit D and vit A from the vet last time he went in which was Friday this week. He has shown a bit of improvement since then as far as strength of his grip. Just wanted input and opinions...

 

[jannb]

Who's your vet? Some outside time is probably the best thing you can do for him if your weather permits. My vet and other reptile vets that he meets at seminars and conventions have been seeing more and more melanoma in chameleons from the UVB lights. It's like us laying in a tanning bed 12 hours a day. I believe that UBV lights should be on a timer and come on for an hour or two 3 to 4 times a day.

 

[Andee]

My vet is Dr. Choy in San Luis Obispo, CA. Bear Valley Animal Clinic. I have had a hard time finding anyone with actual Chameleon experience passed hers near me, plus she sees all my other animals including small pets and all other exotics. She also has no issue voicing she doesn't know something and is all about saving me money, so she won't sell me something if she knows I can get the exact same thing somewhere else cheaper. The thing is, I do kind of wonder if I should take Ryker to someone else because she says she's unsure of exactly what's wrong with his eyes etc. So I am wondering if his needs are just out of her realm.

I have absolutely no issue putting his UVB on a timer. Would melanoma be in his eyes? Or just on his skin? The last two days I am abusing the weather like no tomorrow for my reptiles. They have loved it. I am kind of wondering if I should just turn on the UVB in the morning. And then take him outside like I usually do, and then once I bring him back inside turn it off for the rest of the day?

 

[jannb]

Melanoma starts on the skin but as it progresses it goes to other parts of the body. I've never heard of it going to the eyes.

There's an excellent chameleon vet in the LA area. Dr. Tom Greek.

 

[Andee]

Is there one nearer to the Napa Valley? I will be moving there really soon. The closest exotic vet we have there doesn't do tons of work on them from what I know. The one we used to take our animals to was like an hour or so away and I think they only did birds? So I would just like to have a reptile and specifically chameleon vet. San Fran would be fine, preferably closer but I know San Francisco probably has a good vet considering its a major destination for a lot of reptile shows

 

[Andee]

I was also thinking of switching to a NatureSun which is a 2.0 full spectrum UVB. That way since I can take Ryker out almost year round here, even if it's impossible certain days, it can happen likely almost 2-3 days a week. But if that isn't possible, the 2.0 would still keep his UVB levels up safely without hurting his eyes as much? Even if I had to do the uvb more than I usually would if I took him outside. How long do you think I should take Ryker outside for? I have been taking him 30-45 minutes lately. But I am wondering if that is enough. At the moment I do not feel safe leaving him an outdoor cage by himself because even changing his inside perches a few centimeters can throw him off so much. But I can easily set aside an hour a day just to sit outside with him. Do you think 30-45 minutes is enough for him, would an hour be enough? What I like being able to do with the extra 15 minutes I usually have after taking him out is taking Hope out. Though she doesn't need it as desperately as he does. She does fine with her 5.0 light, and shows no poor signs. Though I will likely be setting her's on a timer too. Especially since she doesn't need a huge amount of UVB exposure as a montane species.

 

[Andee]

Ryker went out for 40 minutes today, I will likely try to get him out again for around 15 minutes when the sun is still in a good spot, his uvb has been officially turned off otherwise. Hope will be going soon, when my phone is charged so I can do something out there and track time effectively.

My mother thinks I am trying to find stuff wrong with Ryker... I look at her and say, I honestly don't know what's wrong with him, so of course I am trying to work all angles. She says just try to take care of him. I just want to say, I can't take care of him if I don't know what's wrong with him, and I am not going to prolong his life is his case is terminal and he is actually suffering more than I realize. She may support me but when I try to explain that chameleons hide pain more than other animals, she just tunes me out or tells me to shut up. She doesn't want to deal with reality. She will realize when the time comes to put him down, which I will think will come faster than he expects.