Well, I guess all you can do is the best you can with it sicne the store won't take it back.



A vet can confirm whether it has MBD for sure and help you to get it back on track faster than you will be able to do by yourself. A vet can give it a series of calcium shots followed by a shot of calcitonin when the blood levels are high enough. Calcitonin pulls the calcium back into the bones rapidly, which is why a vet has to make sure that there is enough calcium in the blood when its done. If its done incorrectly the chameleon can end up in shock and die.



In addition to getting it back on track, you need to correct whatever is wrong with what you are doing in order to keep it healthy (if, under the circumstances, there is even anything that you are doing wrong)....so let's go over some things.



Your chameleon needs UVB light (which you said you are providing for it). This allows the chameleon to produce vitamin D3 which allows it to use the calcium in its diet. I dust at almost every feeding with a phosphorous-free calcium powder. Insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous, so this helps to make up for it.



I also dust twice a month with a vitamin powder that has a beta carotene source of vitamin A (not a preformed source). Beta carotene sources of vitamin A would cause overdoses but preformed can. Vitamin A is antagonistic to vitamin D3 so they need to be in balance.



Because my chameleons get no sunlight, so I dust with a calcium/D3 powder twice a month. D3 from supplements can also build up in the system, so care needs to be taken not to over-do it.



Appropriate basking temperatures are important for proper digestion, thus for absorption. For veileds I keep the basking area in the high 80's, except for young ones which I keep in the low 80'sF because babies have smaller bodies that can dehydrate, warm and cool quicker than adults.



Hydration is important too. I make sure that my veileds drink every day by misting and using a dripper. I don't use a dripper on ones that are young though....I worry about them aspirating the water from it.



I gutload all my insects with a nutritious diet. I gutload the crickets with greens (dandelion, kale, collards, endive, ROMAINE lettuce, etc.) and veggies (sweet red pepper, sweet potato, white potato, squash, zucchini, carrots, etc.).



Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, just ask.

[ Show Entire Thread ]