Urgent, cutting own arms

[jannb]

I wouldn't give him calcium without knowing his calcium level which a qualified reptile vet could do blood work and tell you. From the photos he doesn't look like he has MBD. I had a veiled do this same thing and he did not have MBD and his calcium level was on the high side. He did struggle for months with a bone infection and my vet thought he might have grabbed his legs because he was in pain. That or he could have had a neurological problem. My vet put him on pain meds and that helped some.

Hoping the best for your guy.

 

[sandrachameleon]

jannb has a point
the extra calcium probably wouldn't hurt (although it is possible to over do that too). However, if lack of calcium isn't the issue, you are delaying finding an answer. I do agree the vet trip is the best way to go (assuming you go to an experience reptile vet)

 

[Oliviabryant]

I am limited to the feeders, the only ones I can find around me are crickets, mealworms, and superworms. Currently I am breeding my own mealworms and superworms. I want to start a roach colony but the wife isn't liking that idea.

What would be the best gut load for the feeders? Pre made and diy?

You can purchase live feeders online, I would suggest adding silkworms in as well as hornworms

 

[rpgamer97]

You can purchase live feeders online, I would suggest adding silkworms in as well as hornworms

When shipping is 26 for a 10 dollar order... I'd rather not order online. Maybe I hadn't found the right place to order from.

 

[camimom]

When shipping is 26 for a 10 dollar order... I'd rather not order online. Maybe I hadn't found the right place to order from.

Which is why you do a large order for several types of bugs, it makes the shipping cost worth it.

or you just order some dubias and get a colony started, then you dont have to pay as much.

 

[Olimpia]

I wouldn't give him calcium without knowing his calcium level which a qualified reptile vet could do blood work and tell you. From the photos he doesn't look like he has MBD. I had a veiled do this same thing and he did not have MBD and his calcium level was on the high side. He did struggle for months with a bone infection and my vet thought he might have grabbed his legs because he was in pain. That or he could have had a neurological problem. My vet put him on pain meds and that helped some.

Hoping the best for your guy.

jannb has a point
the extra calcium probably wouldn't hurt (although it is possible to over do that too). However, if lack of calcium isn't the issue, you are delaying finding an answer. I do agree the vet trip is the best way to go (assuming you go to an experience reptile vet)

Just wanted to echo that these ladies make excellent points (although that's not unusual!) These are great reasons to find a good reptile vet and schedule a visit.

 

[sandrachameleon]

When shipping is 26 for a 10 dollar order... I'd rather not order online. Maybe I hadn't found the right place to order from.

so order more at once?

You'll find that even getting superworms is cheaper in bulk than you are getting locally. and supers last a long time.
silkworms eggs you can hatch out in batches (breed them if you have the inclination, and your overall costs will go down)
butterworms last a good while.

regardless of the cost, I feel its important to provide variety, and you're not doing that. If you think about it, $40 is pretty cheap for feeding an exotic animal for a couple months. Compared even to decent food for a large dog, its not expensive to buy bugs.

There are some links to online suppliers here:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/171-where-buy-feeders-online.html
also consider the site sponsors


I also suggest you go to the pet store that sells the most reptiles, spiders and similar. chat with the owner. see if you can convince them to bring in silkworms, butterworms, etc. It will cost you more than online, but will give you the convenience. The bonus to the pet store is that they will draw more traffic from reptile, amphibian, spider and even some rodent, fish and bird owners. Which should result in more light bulbs and other supplies being purchased there.

 

[rpgamer97]

I agree I need to have more feeders, and I really do want more. Guess I just need to make contact with a store owner and try to work something out.

When I think of how many feeders die from what I buy at the store, 26 sounds like giving them free money for nothing more then what I do now.

What kind of experiences have you guys had with buying online and any die off.

 

[sandrachameleon]

my online bug purchases have all gone well except 2 (out of many many many)

for those 2, one was a weather/postal issue. the bugs mostly froze. the vendor sent a replacement shipment, no charge.

the other was a vendor that didn't package them in a way I found acceptable. I got a credit, but decided simply not to deal with them anymore.