When a chameleon is young and still growing, it can be a sign of Metabolic Bone Disorder.It can cause the animal's bones, muscles, and nervous system to not function correctly if it doesn't process calcium correctly.In order to prevent this terrible disease, it is important to make sure your chameleon gets proper light and nutrition.This disease can be prevented with preventative care.
Step 1: Purchase a calcium supplement.
Most pet stores and online retailers sell calcium supplements for chameleons.You should buy a supplement in powder form as it will be fed to the crickets.It will be sprinkled on top of the crickets.
Step 2: Gut load.
Crickets are a good source of food for chameleons, but they don't always contain all of the nutrition that they need.You need to give them a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.Sprinkle the calcium supplement powder that you have purchased onto the cricket's food, so that they ingest it before being fed to your chameleon.
Step 3: Dust your pet's food.
If you want to give a lot of calcium to your chameleon, you need to get the calcium on the crickets you will feed it.Just sprinkle the supplement powder on the live crickets before you put them in the cage.The crickets don't need to be dusted very much.The crickets will remain alive until the chameleon eats them, if you provide just a light coverage.
Step 4: You can set a supplement schedule for your chameleon.
Young chameleons are more likely to get MBD if they don't get calcium every day.It will only need calcium supplements once a week once it is over a year old.
Step 5: There is a bulb that gives off UVB rays.
Most pet stores and online retailers carry these.If you have a light on top of your tank, be sure to get one that fits.The UVB rays help the animal form vitamins D and calcium.It is better for the chameleon to be able to make its own vitamin D if you give it supplements.It's important to make sure that the chameleon has the right amount of vitamins D and E.
Step 6: The bulb needs to be installed so that the chameleon gets light.
A bulb that gives off UVB rays should be placed on top of the cage so that the light is direct.You don't want to have plastic between the bulb and the inside of the cage, as plastic can filters out some UVB rays.It's important to make sure your chameleon can get between 6 and 15 in from the light.
Step 7: Give your animal 12 hours of light a day.
An automatic timer is an easy way to make sure the light is on long enough.The chameleon gets a lot of light to keep it healthy and you don't have to be there every time the light needs to go on or off.
Step 8: The bulb needs to be replaced every 3-6 months.
The effectiveness of a bulb made to supply UVB rays to a reptile can be lost over time.If you want your chameleon to get enough light, it's best to just replace the bulb every once in a while, instead of waiting for it to burn out completely.Ask your local reptile shop if they have a device that will check the percentage of UV your bulb is emitting.If you need to purchase a replacement, this can help.
Step 9: Look for bones that aren't forming correctly.
The bones of a young chameleon will not grow straight and symmetrical.A healthy chameleon has only 1 bend in its legs and arms.A chameleon with MBD may have multiple bends in its limbs.
Step 10: Clumsiness should be paid attention to.
A person with MBD is likely to have trouble with a variety of movements.When it is trying to catch food and just walking around its cage, look for problems with tongue movement.
Step 11: There are body tremors.
The animal begins to shake for no apparent reason.This could happen only occasionally or as the condition gets worse.Lack of calcium absorption in the muscles causes this movement.