jasper408
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- Jul 16, 2012
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- 212
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- Jasper
Is the general consensus still to raise up species like algira and longirostris slower and feed less compared to other Salamandra? The jaw issue noticed with the terrestris is also concerning - what constitutes overfeeding? This raises concerns regarding free feeding with a blackworm dish or using cleaners like isopods, for example.
Rather than food and/or supplement frequency/quantity, could it be that these instances are examples of vitamin D overdose? The speed of which the MBD symptoms appeared and the animals died doesn't seem to align with the frequency of calcium supplementation. Dietary MBD also usually progresses more slowly, with more obvious symptoms over time. e.g., lethargy, weakness, shaking etc. A vitamin D overdose however, forces bone resorption, can not be easily excreted (fat-soluble vitamin), and could explain why the issue cropped up so suddenly and lethally.
Although not specified which version was used, the guaranteed analysis of Rep-Cal Calcium + D3 has vitamin D at over 400,000 IU/kg. In comparison, other popular products used every feeding such as Repashy's Calcium Plus contains only 20,000 IU/kg. There also doesn't seem to be any issues reported by keepers using pure calcium carbonate.
Rather than food and/or supplement frequency/quantity, could it be that these instances are examples of vitamin D overdose? The speed of which the MBD symptoms appeared and the animals died doesn't seem to align with the frequency of calcium supplementation. Dietary MBD also usually progresses more slowly, with more obvious symptoms over time. e.g., lethargy, weakness, shaking etc. A vitamin D overdose however, forces bone resorption, can not be easily excreted (fat-soluble vitamin), and could explain why the issue cropped up so suddenly and lethally.
Although not specified which version was used, the guaranteed analysis of Rep-Cal Calcium + D3 has vitamin D at over 400,000 IU/kg. In comparison, other popular products used every feeding such as Repashy's Calcium Plus contains only 20,000 IU/kg. There also doesn't seem to be any issues reported by keepers using pure calcium carbonate.
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