Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,
I just looked at Charlies feet and on one of his back feet he is missing two nails. I dont know how he could have done this, as he hasnt been near a screen latley (i have been trying to free range him). I moved him back to his cage and noticed his nails. Plus he looks like he has some gook underneath some of his remaining nails. Will he grow these back? Should i try to clean his nails?

Thanks,
Jeff

I would just leave him be. His nails will take some time, but they will grow back...

Just curious how often you dust his food with calcium?
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TFFF
(Tootie Freakin' Fruity Feenie)

I use a little bit of Herpcare Cricket Dust every few meals on the superworms, and i gut load the crickets with a little bit of the stuff too. It has 33% calcium in it.

Should i add a little more for nail regrowth? I know that powders and stuff are guess-timations.

Thanks,
Jeff

Hmmm. I use Rep-Cal D3, Phosporus Free Calcium W/Vit. D3 for my chams. I've always wondered if breaking nails were due in part to a minor calcium deficiancy. You know, like not enough lack of calcium or D3 to cause MBD, but enough to cause brittle nails.. hmmmmmmmmmm.
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TFFF
(Tootie Freakin' Fruity Feenie)

You said..." Plus he looks like he has some gook underneath some of his remaining nails. Will he grow these back? Should i try to clean his nails?"...are the tips of his toes swollen at all? If by "gook" you mean that they are oozing then you should go to the vets.

Chameleons with toe infections need to have them cleaned out properly, have a culture done to see which bacteria is involved and then be put on an antibiotic that will get rid of the infection. Just applying a topical cream won't get rid of the infection because their "pus" is more solid (cottage cheesy) than ours and it won't likely be penetrated with just a topical cream.

His toes arnt swollen, and the black stuff is only underneath a couple of the nails. I put him back in his cage, and because he is missing a couple of his nails he is having a harder time moving around. He alreayd had a short fall. The cage isnt that tall, so it didnt hurt him.

Jeff