Recently adopted a chameleon w/ MBD.

[TheElectraCo]

Today I adopted a Veiled Chameleon (approx. 1 yr old) from my work. He has been suffering from MBD for the past 3months. His legs and joints are slightly swollen, he does not climb or perch on branches, spending all of his time on the tank floor or in a bushy plant om the bottom of the cage. He was taken to a reptile vet 2 months ago and given calcium injections and has been getting liquid calcium 2x daily. He isnt accepting live crickets or worms so I have been mashing them up and syringe feeding him them twice daily and he also gets Repto-Aid mixed w/ Repashey MRP once daily. I currently have him in a 20g long with a fogger and water bowl dripper. He will eventually be moved into a screen enclosure once recovered. He has a fresh UVB bulb and I will be providing basking times in the sun daily.

My Q's: Is therr anything I should change about his diet or housing set up while I nurse him back to good health. How long should he bask in the sun? Any other tips will be helpful also. I have read the sticky thread but wanted to explain his habitat and diet so I could get better feedback. THANK YOU!

 

[TheElectraCo]

Also wondering if handling would benefit him?

 

[kinyonga]

Can you post a photo of him please?
Is he showing any signs of recovery from the MBD?

 

[TheElectraCo]

Im on my phone and it wont let me post any. He has shown slight improvements before and started climbing a little for a few days but that regressed. Probably from lazy coworkers not feeding him or supplementing his calcium ( reason I suggested I adopt it and care for it at home.) His joint are just slightly swollen and has no 'extra' joints fr fractures or breaks. Back legs slightly bowed.

 

[TheElectraCo]

From*******

 

[HolyToledo]

there are sooooo many things you can do. read the sticky thread on mbd for starters. lots of links to great thread about mbd chams and their recoveries and what their owners have learned through the process.

nutrition of both the cham and its feeders is very important. read sandrachameleon's blogs and info. feeding them safe fruits and veggies is better than just gutloaded bugs.

all the natural sunlight you can give them. most glass blocks uvb but any is better than none.

increase hydration. make sure they can reach their water from their favorite perch. feed more juicy bugs. keep an eye on their urates and if staying yellow or getting darker or orange, it may be time for a rehydration shot at the vet's (they can teach you how to do this and the calcium shots if you and they are so inclined). mbd and the meds can be hard on the kidneys so increased hydration helps.

good luck and kudos to you for taking on this little one!

 

[carol5208]

great of you to give the cham a fighting chance!! Who diagnosed him with MBD? I am just curious cause you said the limbs were swollen. Are they curvy and have like extra joints? In general chameleons do not like to be handled. Some do, but most tolerate it and are not that keen on it. I don't think at this point there would be any benefit to doing so. JMO. I mean if you have to move him or do something, of course but to just pick him up...IDK I would probably let him be until he gets settled into his new home with you first. Even if he were healthy I would refrain from handling as they are stressed enough when they are in a new environment. Good luck to you with him and keep us updated on his progress..

 

[TheElectraCo]

He was taken to a reptile vet who diagnosed him with MBD. His back legs have slightly bowed but he doesnt have any extra joints on any of his legs. He can still firmly grasp things and walk he just doesnt climb or pull his weight up onto anything for the most part. I will refrain from handling except while medicating/feeding from now on.

 

[TheElectraCo]

He actually does have an extra 'joint' on one leg now that i look closely it is right next to its elbow and less noticable due to the swelling.

 

[HolyToledo]

it probably bothers him to pull himself around on soft or broken legs.

do everything to discourage climbing and make it so if he does, he can't fall very far. mine broke a leg catching himself from falling. put branches and leaves on the towel covered bottom of his cage or make a hospital bin. put his feed bowl and water drips within reach of his perching spot so he doesn't have to move far. and mine got really upset if he pooped and it stayed close to him for very long. and it was even worse when he was really sick and had poo on him! and, search for reusable drinking straws for splints like kerbie did with hers.