96: Rescuing an MBD Chameleon with Cheryl Garcia

Metabolic Bone Disease is a terminal condition. But, if caught in time, the chameleon's life can be saved.  Today we talk about living life with a special needs chameleon. Cheryl Garcia runs the reptile section of an animal rescue called Another Chance Sanctuary in the state of Ohio. Her daily duties are to manage the rescues when she is not traveling across the country picking up reptiles too sick to ship. One thing she sees on a consistent basis is Metabolic Bone Disease. If you have been following our series on MBD you know this is a condition where the body does not get enough calcium. The most visible effect of this is rubbery bones and the degrading of the skeleton structure. It is a painful condition and, by time the inexperienced keepers gets the clue that something may be wrong, the chameleon could have gone through multiple bone breaks and jaw disfigurement. The point the keeper decides to get veterinary help, or give it to a rescue, plays a great factor in what the rest of this chameleon's life will be like.   Today, I talk with Cheryl about what life is like when you take on caring for a chameleon that has suffered from MBD in the past. MBD can be stopped and calcium levels can be replenished and the body will do an amazing job with healing. But there is only so much that the body can do. Unfortunately, disfigurement of the legs and jaw are permanent. So what is life like with an MBD chameleon? We bring Cheryl on and find out.