How do I stop my chameleon from getting MBD?

The best prevention for NMBD was achieved by chameleons that received locusts gut-loaded with 12% Ca and dusted with 250,000 IU/kg (75 mg/kg) vitamin A and 25,000 IU/kg (0.625 mg/kg) cholecalciferol plus provision of long (10 h/d), low irradiation exposure (3-120 μW/cm(2)) to UVB.

Can a chameleon recover from MBD?

Treatment and Prognosis Fortunately, if detected early enough, MBD can often be corrected and reversed through making changes and improvements to the husbandry of the animal by providing the needed or adequate levels of UV-A and UV-B lighting and heating, proper supplementation, and other nutrients.

How can MBD be prevented?

The following are important in both the prevention and treatment of metabolic bone disease:

  1. A diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy, and other reptile-specific nutrients.
  2. Exposure to UVA/UVB invisible light rays.
  3. Proper heat gradients.
  4. Proper light/dark cycles.
  5. Adequate enclosure and/or room to exercise.

How can you tell if your chameleon has MBD?

Early symptoms of MBD include bowed or swollen legs, arched spine, bumps along the bones of the legs, spine and tail, bilateral softening of the jaw (commonly referred to as rubber jaw), and softening of the carapace and plastron in turtles and tortoises.

Can you reverse MBD?

Can MBD be treated? Yes! The treatment for MBD is extra calcium, plus fixing the diet. The extra calcium immediately boosts your squirrel’s calcium levels, but to actually cure MBD, your squirrel must also rebuild his bones.

How do I give my chameleon liquid calcium?

You may want to stop the Repta-Aid and give her time to settle in and see it she eats on her own. Put some crickets in a cup and give her a couple days. You can give the liquid calcium in a syringe.

Is metabolic bone disease painful?

In clinical terms, metabolic bone diseases may result in bone pain and loss of height (due to compression of vertebrae), and they predispose patients to fractures.

What causes metabolic bone disease?

Metabolic bone disease can be caused by a number of factors including vitamin D deficiency, hereditary hypophosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism (over-activation of the parathyroid gland). The most common form of metabolic bone disorder is osteoporosis.

Can metabolic bone disease be cured?

Can MBD be treated? Most cases of MBD can be treated. Treatment often involves splinting or casting broken bones. Calcium supplements by injection or orally (by mouth) will be necessary.

Can you give a chameleon too much calcium?

Can you give a chameleon too much calcium? A chameleon cannot overdose on oral calcium either from food or supplements. Any imbalance of calcium is associated with the phosphorous calcium ratio. Extra calcium is simply excreted from the body through feces.

How to take care of a chameleon with MBD?

If you have a chameleon with a severe case of MBD you need to take extra care of it than just adding calcium and vitamin D. When it is unable to walk, you should get it a low terrarium with few branches and cover the floor with something soft like a towel.

What causes mbd in veiled chameleons?

Occasionally, MBD will surface in a Veiled chameleon that is being well cared for by its owner. In such cases, the cause of the MBD is normally traced back to its care when it was young. This reinforces the need to obtain your chameleons from a reputable source.

How to prevent metabolic bone disease in chameleons?

How to prevent or cure metabolic bone disease. The method to prevent and to cure metabolic bone disease is the same: supply enough calcium and vitamin D to your chameleon. The best way to supply vitamin D3 is through UV-B light.

Are there any health problems with chameleons?

Unfortunately it is also a big problem in pet chameleons. Metabolic Bone Disease is caused by too little calcium in the chameleons body. It can be caused by too few calcium in the chameleons food, or by too few vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary to obtain calcium from food into the body.