vitamins/supplements

[reptigirl04]

Ok, expiration dates are coming up fast on my calcium and vitamins for my iggy....(these are the only ones i've ever used) right now im using Repcal Calcium w/ vit.D3 (every 3 feeding) and zoo med's reptivite (1x a week).
My local pet store has neither of these products.
What should i get instead? is there a good product w/o Vit. A....that has betacarotene to replace so there's no chance of an o.d.?
Also, should i stay w/ calcium supplements w/ the vit.D3?
Any reccommendations will be greatly appreciated.

	Iguana Iguana

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[reptigirl04]

Hmm...no reccommendations? Not even from the lizard-loving ladies? Nicole?

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[eddie]

If you are using good UVB lights or taking the iggy outside for real sunlight, then stay away from D3, period.
Many risks are involved with its use and even some debate as to whether it is actually absorbed and used properly in the animals bodies.

Do a search on D3 and calcium in the health issues for more posts with more details

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[NicoleRussell]

Hey I just got back from Horse back riding
Actually, Eddie is right---invest in MVB's (Trex is awesome) some natural sunlight, and a varied diet. D3 is not passed and build in the body creating toxicity.
Up until recently I was using monster diet to supplement...but they have started rejecting it---so I got some Iguana dust byh T rex.
It stated it was highly palatable, and good enough to coat iceberg lettuce and make it a complete food source--and has human grade nutrients. Another thing I liked is that it is species specific.
In any case, my concern was if they would like and and they LOVE it. I coat their salad in a shake n bake style and they just went wild for it this week.
Reptile Direct is having a sale in case you wanted to try it (I think it's $2).
I am planning on trying the other animal supplements as well

	Iguana Iguana

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[reptigirl04]

Thank you so much! Does the Iguana Dust have both vitamins and calcium, or should i use a separate calcium supp?? I just am not sure of any of the many many products, because they have all this crazy stuff in them...its good to have someone who can point me in the right direction.

	Iguana Iguana

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[NicoleRussell]

I just went and got the bottle.
They had a web address for details and here and is:
http://www.t-rexproducts.com/Dynamic/default.htm
I have to admit I'm becoming a huge fan of Trex. I used to be a big Zoomed fan but Trex is proving it's superiority to me more and more

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[NicoleRussell]

for whatever reason that link didn't bring you to where the ID is---follow it and look under REPTILES---then SANDFIRE products---then IGUANA DUST. I am using the VGF formula.

	Iguana Iguana

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[reptigirl04]

Is the age the difference in the 2 kinds? My ig is almost 2 years....does that qualify as a juvy?

Also, separate calcium supplement, or no? (and with out D3)
My ig is not able to be outside everyday...he's been out 2 times this year b/c the weather is finally getting nice...but i do have the uvb bulbs in his cage. When the weather gets nicer, he'll be outside alot (except when i have to go to my dad's for vacation) and He Will Be Constantly Supervised Outside.

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[NicoleRussell]

While cyclura take up to 5 years to reach maturity the iguana iguana usually reaches this in under 2 years...so it's safe to assume your ig is ready for the other supplement (in other words not a juvie).
You can, while you are using indoor lighting that are not high output bulbs, supplement with Ca/D3 a few times (like 3 meals) a week. If you use D3 at all, use the combination (I think reptical makes a combo Ca w/ D3), not the d3 that is sold alone---and never the drops at all. As soon as your ig is getting some nice outdoor time you can stop until the fall.
I really like this dust and can see the igs are actually eating more since I started using it....so far so good
How many lights do you have in your cage setup? Think about this fall perhaps getting one high output bulb (Trex spot) so all winter, when your ig cannot go outside, he will be exposed to wavelengths appropriate for iguanas

[StevenLeeAugust]

How does everyone feel about Miner-al?

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[NicoleRussell]

I have used it for my feeders.
It's fine I guess but I never noticed any species going out of their way to eat anything coated with it. At least not any more then without it
I feel much better about supplementing with whole foods or pellets---in this case the dust is made from whole foods.

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[reptigirl04]

I have the Reptisun 5.0 on the outside of his cage and 3 dome lights. Those lights are on the outside of his cage through the wire opening on the top. I'm thinking about putting another flourescent on the inside of his cage...do you think that would burn him? I also have a 100 watt powersun uv bulb, but its way to hott for his cage, believe it or not. If i hot some sort of lamp stand to make it really far away from him, i think i could use it....??? I read a diff. post with you talking about the uvb meters and Trex bulbs...and im hoping to get one, but it wont be right now becuase my budget wont allow. Would the 2 flourescents suffice? It's what he's had all his life (only 1 uvb flourescent as well as the basking lights). All this new better stuff keeps coming up...and i can't keep up w/ it all! Frustrating sometimes, lol. What do you think about all my questions? I hope it's not too much to ask.

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[NicoleRussell]

what kind of cage do you have?
With a powersun , you would just use that--and no basker---and when the day cycle is over use a nightime heat source. A 100 watt bulb is very low as far as heat and uvb, so unless you have a 5 gallon tank there is no way it would be too warm

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[eddie]

It would also greatly benefit the animal to move the UV light inside the cage as glass and screens block much of the needed UVB.

I don't use any supplements with D3 as an ingredient as it can be deadly, especially in conjunction with UV lighting or sunlight.
I have also been hearing a bit of talk from local vets about studies on D3 supplementation not being used as intended by the animals bodies and eventually leading to irreversible declines in overall health, up to and including death.

A good diet and actual UV lighting (sun is best cause its free ) is the way to go.

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[NicoleRussell]

Eddie:
This is basically true of D3 supplementation in enormous amounts (and liquid delivery drops).
The amount of D3 in a Ca/D3 supplement like reptical, given a few times a week will not build to toxicity, and if using anything other then high output bulbs ,would be a definate contributing factor to overall health of most diurnal lizards.
As far as lighting being inside the cage this would really depend on your setup, and the type of barrier (screen). Some have greater filtration of uvb then others. That's basically why I asked about what type of cage she has.
There's no queston that sun is best when possible---and quality bulbs come in second. If she's using low output bulbs though, and the animal is getting no outdoor sunning---a diet including D3 is essential for longevity.

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[reptigirl04]

Okay, thanks to both.
....Ummm.....It's a 'homemade cage'...it was a gift. I will post a pic, lemme go take one and figure how to post. FYI the wire is 1/4 inch, so i think alot of light gets through, but the uvb light is a little off center from his basking site. He can still get directly under it if he wants though.
The reason i said that the 100 is too hot is because it makes his basking site surface temp(raytek temp gun) 130 and his little analougue stick (those temp gauges that are used in fish tanks, i know they're not accurate) reads at 105.
With 75 watt bulbs, Under one dome, his analougue is at 90-95 and the surface temp is at 110....
under another dome is 88-90 and surface is 95.
He has a ramp and other temps that taper off to about 75 at the floor of his cage.

This will make alot more sense once i post a pic!! lol

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[NicoleRussell]

I asked about the cage just for the info you just provided.....so it sounds fine.
With basking sites you just move the site a little further away to break up the heat if need be.
In fact give your ig 3 choices and I bet he chooses the hot spot most of the time anyway. With mine , they will sit in hottest possible spot I provide.
In the UVB group most igs need alot of supplemental heat when provided with a 60 watt westron---although the uvb output is great the heat factor is no where close enough to enable proper digestion and thermoregulation.
That's why I choose Trex, because it makes it easier with one bulb.
With a 100 watt zoomed, you will need a basking spot like within a foot and put another just under it and I guarentee, you'll end up loosing the lower/cooler one. Also the output decays within a few days and continues to do so.
They (igs) just LOVE high heat and high output bulbs

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[reptigirl04]

Okay, great. Thanks, and i will try to get this all straightened out. Luckily i'm goin to an expo next week! I couldn't get the pics downloaded, but sounds like you didnt need them. im completely computer dumb...but i tried! lol
Thanks again! I dont know what i'd do without you guys!

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[NicoleRussell]

Hey your welcome

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[AsRock]

i would'nt even use them my self from my last expearance. My water Dragon stopped eating and so was not getting whot he really needed and being winter and all.. Get the real thing it's worth it in the end......

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