Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got Rep Cal, i put it on the crickets, am i also suppose to put on cham, i read something like that on another post

First, dusting or spraying anything on the cham is pointless. He can't absorb anything through his skin like that. Dusting any insects is not all you'll need to do. The insects need to be fed properly first or they are nothing more than crunchy empty shells. Please look at my earlier responses to your posts and check out the good info at the sites I listed. They should get you on the right track. You'll realize that keeping any herp who eats live food means you get to keep a bunch of insects (not just crix, but superworms, waxworms, silkworms, flies, moths, tobacco hornworms, roaches etc. for variety) alive and healthy too. You won't be able to just go to a pet shop and buy them right before feeding your cham. You will need to set up bins and give them proper food and care for 3-4 days before the cham gets them. I don't know where you got your cham...but the person who sold him to you really gave you bad--or no---information on care.

all they told me was to keep drip system, and feed em crickets and use the uv bulb, thats it i feel so sorry for him i have spend so much money to try and keep him healthy and happy. i feed him crix and mealworms, i know about feeding them food first, i feed the criz potatoes, one time a apple, is that ok? I give my mealworms oatmeal

I feed my crickets the following mixture:
carrot shreds, cat food, dog food, some bannana, mulberry chow and gatorade for water.

They seem to do very well. Grow well.

You need to feed him something other than those two items. Get some silkworms if you can. I did and they make my cham very happy.

I think one of the reasons MBD may be growing can be contributed to two things...
1) Lack of variety in food
2) lack of prorper preparation of food.

I think the suppliments are great...but in no way should anybody think that is all they need. That is like saying as long as you take your vitamins you can live on celery without problems.

Id say think of your herps food this way: Make the healthiest food you can. Make sure you are feeding it correctly and read the nutritional value of them (there are a few great sites and posts about insect nutrition). When you feel you have the best food source..then add you suppliment once a week.

good luck. Dont feel guilty about any of this. I think most of us learned our MBD lesson at one time or another. Mine was with an Iguana when I was 14 or 15. The store said just give him lettuce and some carrots - add some suppliment and he'll be in great shape. He died and I still miss him.

-adam

Can MBD be cured without vet help, anyways my cham is not very big only about 5 inches with tail out. is silkworms ok? what about superworms?

Can MBD be cured?
Maybe - depends how far along it is. Your best bet is to go to the vet asap. They can give you their opinion. If you dont like thier opinion..get a second one. I know if somebody told me my condition is hopeless Id get a second...

In the case of my Iguana - it was too far along. his jaw was huge and could not chew his food. I spent three months mixing crickets (not many), romaine, kiwi, suppliment and a host of other stuff in a blender(kinda like one of those energy drinks you get from the juice places). He liked the paste and could eat it easier. then he stopped eating all together and I started to force feed him through a syrenge(sp). H would eat on again/off again.

During which time he had a vet check up every two weeks.

some you just cant save no matter how much you put into it.

Speaking of : maybe make a paste like that to feed your crickets. That would be wonderful!

Silkworms. I buy them in lots of 50-100 from cham paradise. He has great prices and ships quickly. He sells them to me 1/2". He also sells the mulberry chow.

He is on ebay - just put in silkworms in your search and you'll see him selling lots of 100 or 200. Just write him an email and he will most likely work with you to get just what you want.

-adam

Adam,

Great example (The celery)

Maybe that's what we are lacking. We preach theory instead of making real examples that stick with people.

Great Job Adam!
Joe