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My cousin's sambava panther is lethargic lately. He has all proper lights, is sprayed atleast twice a day, and has always had a wide variety with lots of vitamins in his diet. All of a sudden though he dosen't have the same appetite he once did and is starting to look skinny. He is reletively young, I'd say 2 years tops and he took him to the vet. The vet X-rayed him and did a fecal, but did not take blood as he said this could hurt the cham. The only thing we can come up with is that he may be constipated as he dosen't go that often and when he does its very large. The vet noticed a lot in his lower gut when he viewed the X-ray and the chameleon defecated when he got home. Any suggestions????Any idea what we can do for this guy to get his appetite back?

Matthew

Matthew-

Make sure all the pots in his cage are covered so that he can not eat the dirt. I know my Sambava loves the stuff and any chance he get he goes for it!LOL Also if he is not eating as much as he was, you may try taking him outside and letting him bask in the sun light. This does amazing things for chameleons and they react very good to it! Also try feeding him while he is outside! Hope this helps!
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John
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers

Matthew-

How often are you dusting his food, to many vitamins can cause harm just as not enough can cause harm! Also if what you are feeding him now he is not eating, try a new food like silkworms if you are not already feeding them to him. Chameleons tire when you feed the same food over and over, and some times will not except one food but will devour another!
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John
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers

Thank you I will forward these replies to my cousin.

Matthew

Thanks for the info I appreciate it. I am actually raising some silkworms for my juvy vield as we speak. I can't wait untill they mature so he can chow down! How often do you recommend dusing with the vitamins for a juvy vield and when he is an adult? How many times per week with multi vit and calcium supplament? Thanks.

Matthew

Matthew-

As you may know Veiled chameleons are prone to MBD, and with out regular dusting for a young growing chameleon he will have MBD problems. I would dust with a vitamin D3/calcium supplement once per week, and calcium only dust every other feeding. To much can be just as harmful as to little. You can do a vitamin dust 2 times a week at the most, but make sure not to over do it. If the chameleon is exposed to natural unfiltered sunlight (not through glass or acrylic/plastic) for more then 4 days out of the week for hours per day, then MAKE sure your calcium and vitamin dusts don't have D3 in them. Adults you will cut back. Hope this helps!
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John
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers

Ok I've been doing exactly what you said since I recieved this cham, with one difference. I haven't dusted with the regular calcium only supplament because I've been feeding the prey items a gut loading calcium food. Along with that though I've been dusting with the CAL/D3 sup and MULTI VIT sup about once a week. Sound good or is the calcium in the gut not as good as sprinkled?

One more question. I'm using an active UV/heat bulb which I believe is producing insane amounts of UV considering I've gotten some rock hard turtle shells when using it. Would this impact the amount of calcium or calcium D3 I use considering the increased amount of UV which would be similar to your outside sunshine example?

And finally, you gave me the amounts schedule for a juvie, but what do you recommend for a cut back schedule for an adult?

P.S. It just warmed up here in ohio and my little guy is going out for some sun today. He won't be out for four hours, but it still should do him some good. While dusting and using the active UV/heat there are no signs of MBD so far.

Thanks,

Matthew

Hi-

I too use the MV bulbs on my cages, but nothing can mimic the suns power. Gutloading is a must, but dusting gives more calcium. You want to get a good calcium/phosphorus ratio in the blood. The vitamins is what is the main worry about over dose, so that is why I say 2 times a week max and the other 2 dustings with just pure calcium or calcium/D3 only. For adults because they are growing at rapid speeds, dusting once with vitamins and ones with calcium should be fine. Hope this helps!
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John
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers

You mean the adults don't grow rapidly right? Once a week for the calcium and multi vitamin for the adults then? I couldn't quite make out your post.

Matthew

n/p
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John
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers