A little worried... help?

[LeopardShade]

To start off, I apologize for asking so many questions on this particular sub-forum. Supplements can be so confusing...

I've done some browsing and reading around on this sub-forum and I'm a little worried. I'm probably going to get some heat for this... Okay, so I started using Repashy Calcium Plus a while back, and for the past couple months I've just been leaving a dish of it in the enclosure and not dusting the feeders at all.

I feel completely irresponsible, stupid, and most of all confused because I don't know if that's an acceptable way to be using the supplement and in doing so I don't know if I'm oversupplementing them or undersupplementing. I have searched for a good hour or so on this forum/etc. and I have seen no one use this product as I have been using it, so therefore I cannot figure out for the life of me if leaving a dish of Calcium Plus in the tank and not dusting the feeders is dangerous to the lizards' health or if it is fine. The possibility of it being dangerous to do so makes me feel horrible inside, exposing my geckos to bad practices that could damage their health because of my ignorance. And for months too!

I haven't seen any negative changes in the geckos while using Repashy like this, except recently, I've noticed that both of my leos have developed the "goobs" - excess calcium/protein pockets? Is this from oversupplementation by leaving the Repashy in a dish open in the tank? I always thought they just took it in when they needed it and therefore would control the vitamin/mineral intake by themselves....

In the end, I just end up confused. I would really appreciate some answers, especially on whether using Calcium Plus like this is dangerous or safe.

 

[reps4life]

To start off, I apologize for asking so many questions on this particular sub-forum. Supplements can be so confusing...

I've done some browsing and reading around on this sub-forum and I'm a little worried. I'm probably going to get some heat for this... Okay, so I started using Repashy Calcium Plus a while back, and for the past couple months I've just been leaving a dish of it in the enclosure and not dusting the feeders at all.

I feel completely irresponsible, stupid, and most of all confused because I don't know if that's an acceptable way to be using the supplement and in doing so I don't know if I'm oversupplementing them or undersupplementing. I have searched for a good hour or so on this forum/etc. and I have seen no one use this product as I have been using it, so therefore I cannot figure out for the life of me if leaving a dish of Calcium Plus in the tank and not dusting the feeders is dangerous to the lizards' health or if it is fine. The possibility of it being dangerous to do so makes me feel horrible inside, exposing my geckos to bad practices that could damage their health because of my ignorance. And for months too!

I haven't seen any negative changes in the geckos while using Repashy like this, except recently, I've noticed that both of my leos have developed the "goobs" - excess calcium/protein pockets? Is this from oversupplementation by leaving the Repashy in a dish open in the tank? I always thought they just took it in when they needed it and therefore would control the vitamin/mineral intake by themselves....

In the end, I just end up confused. I would really appreciate some answers, especially on whether using Calcium Plus like this is dangerous or safe.

It is very possible that is how they developed "goobs". I have never had a leo with "goobs". I would never leave a multivitamin supplement in the enclosure. Only plain Calcium.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I only use calcium supplement in a dish for their selective use, not the Rephashy. Every second or third time I'll use the D3 type. Although I did recently see one of my juvs licking some loose Rephashy in the bottom of the worm dish that had been on a worm. Then again, they stalk their food dishes when they think they should have had worms an hour ago Over-supplementing is a very real danger that leads to kidney failure, and ultimately death. I suggest you go back to dusting feeders.

 

[LeopardShade]

That's exactly the answer I expected and was worried about. Thank you for clearing that issue up. Would you recommend I purchase some Rep-Cal without D3 to leave in the tank, and begin dusting the Repashy on feeders with every other feeding? Or is that too much supplementation as well? What would you recommend? I have the money to purchase some new supplements (i.e. regular calcium/etc.), so I'm open to whatever you suggest. I'm guessing they need to be off of them for a couple days though, but the only products I currently have right now are Rep-Cal w/ D3, Herptivite, and Repashy Calcium Plus.

Now I'm really worried... I've only been doing this for about 2-3 months, do you think that the kidney damage can be reversed from here on out if I discontinue my irresponsible method? I would never do something like this to them on purpose!

 

[Desdemona]

If they are younger then they will have a better chance of recovering. Just give the the healthiest feeders you can and watch them. You could give them just bugs with no suppliment for a day or two (someone can correct me for the longest without hurting them further) so that they can clean out their systems a little.

How long have the "goobs" been there? That probably matters more than how long you've been giving them the extra suppliment. I am glad you posted, I use Rephasy as well so now I know its good only as a dust and not as a "leave in."

 

[LeopardShade]

Both of my geckos are around 2 years old, not too old considering how long they can really live. That's what I'm planning on doing, giving them a few light meals with absolutely no supplements for a couple of feedings.

One of my geckos I've noticed has had the goobs on and off for a couple of months, while I just noticed it a couple of days ago with my other gecko.

So would regular calcium to leave in the tank (phosphorus free or not?) complemented by Repashy every other feeding or so be an acceptable regime from here on out?

 

[reps4life]

Both of my geckos are around 2 years old, not too old considering how long they can really live. That's what I'm planning on doing, giving them a few light meals with absolutely no supplements for a couple of feedings.

One of my geckos I've noticed has had the goobs on and off for a couple of months, while I just noticed it a couple of days ago with my other gecko.

So would regular calcium to leave in the tank (phosphorus free or not?) complemented by Repashy every other feeding or so be an acceptable regime from here on out?

Definately phosphorus free. Don't panic, just try to add a lot of water in their diet by wetting their insect.

 

[LeopardShade]

Okay. I will begin looking for phosphorus free regular calcium to leave in the tank. Would you recommend me using Calcium w/ D3 sparingly on feeders, as well as Repashy even more sparingly? I realize now, especially with the hypervitaminosis topic, that I definitely need to cut back on vitamins. What benefits does water have to this problem?

 

[reps4life]

Okay. I will begin looking for phosphorus free regular calcium to leave in the tank. Would you recommend me using Calcium w/ D3 sparingly on feeders, as well as Repashy even more sparingly? I realize now, especially with the hypervitaminosis topic, that I definitely need to cut back on vitamins. What benefits does water have to this problem?

Water helps clean out the kidneys. Just cut back on how often you give the vitamin supplement. The younger ones need it more often than the adults. You mentioned you have reptivite? It tells you on the back of the bottle how much and how often.

 

[LeopardShade]

Not Reptivite. Herptivite. It looks like this:

EDIT - I just purchased some Rep-Cal Calcium - Phosphorus Free & Vit. d3 free. It is expected to arrive between Oct 6-12. Will this be fine for leaving in the cage 24/7? I'm going to supplement my feeders now w/ d3 once a week and repashy a couple times a month. Would this be fine, or too much? As you can see, I'm very concerned about oversupplementation. I'm also going to spritz my gecko's worms with a bit of water from my spray bottle to get them a bit moist, as well as some lukewarm water soaks to help hydrate them. Would you recommend any other methods for hydration?

Excuse all of my words, but I am curious now. I've heard that calcium alone cannot build strong bones and thus must be paired with vit.d3 every now and again to aid in the absorption? Is this true?

Thank you all for your help and for putting up with me You have definitely cleared some confusion up.

I know this may sound very juvenile and possibly wishful thinking (or maybe I'm being too much of a worrier or downer), but can the possible damage of the kidneys and/or hypervitaminosis at this point be reversed/cured? Like I said, this bad method I used I used for about 2-3 months. Is it too late to turn back the clock?

 

[reps4life]

Not Reptivite. Herptivite. It looks like this:

EDIT - I just purchased some Rep-Cal Calcium - Phosphorus Free & Vit. d3 free. It is expected to arrive between Oct 6-12. Will this be fine for leaving in the cage 24/7? I'm going to supplement my feeders now w/ d3 once a week and repashy a couple times a month. Would this be fine, or too much? As you can see, I'm very concerned about oversupplementation. I'm also going to spritz my gecko's worms with a bit of water from my spray bottle to get them a bit moist, as well as some lukewarm water soaks to help hydrate them. Would you recommend any other methods for hydration?

Excuse all of my words, but I am curious now. I've heard that calcium alone cannot build strong bones and thus must be paired with vit.d3 every now and again to aid in the absorption? Is this true?

Thank you all for your help and for putting up with me You have definitely cleared some confusion up.

I know this may sound very juvenile and possibly wishful thinking (or maybe I'm being too much of a worrier or downer), but can the possible damage of the kidneys and/or hypervitaminosis at this point be reversed/cured? Like I said, this bad method I used I used for about 2-3 months. Is it too late to turn back the clock?

Don't worry, it does not mean any damage was done. As long as they are eating and passing feces their fine. I use Repcal products myself. If they are young 3 times a week should be fine as far as Calcium w/d and adults once a week if your gutload has D3. I would use the multivitamin as much as the D3 according to age. If you notice the goobs getting bigger than cut back a day.
No need to soak unless that is a normal routine for you.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

When my geckos get the occasional goob, I cut back on both food and dusting, but the calcium dish stays. Many of my adults are tong fed so I see the potential goob right away. They all drink a good bit of water regularly, even my enigma, who couldn't find a water dish if she was laying in it. She gets mist on the side of the tub every night and after circling a few times, will begin lapping water up. Carly, since your geckos are adults, feeding every other day is sufficient, and lightly dusting every other feeding with Rephahy's. If they need additional calcium, they can get that from a dish in their tank. Geckos are pretty smart little lizards to know when they need more calcium, and they'll go right to the dish

 

[Wild West Reptile]

Just ran across this and thought I'd supply how I was told by the MAKER of REPASHY how to use it.

You are supposed to dust EVERY feeding and you DO NOT need to leave any calcium supplement in the cage. I don't know who you bought it from, but if you would have bought it from geckoranch.com you would have been told exactly how this product works. You would think that other "suppliers" would be responsible enough to tell you how the product should be used being that they sell it. I've been using Repashy Supercal and Repashy Supervite mixed together (1/1) for around 5 months now and my geckos are very healthy and have not had any issues at all. They get a dusting of this on their food every feeding so there's no need for a bowl of it for them to spill in their cage. If you want to hear about this product and how you should use it from the source, I suggest calling the Gecko Ranch and talking to them directly. You don't need to buy anything else if you are using Repashy products, it's a waste of money if you are.

 

[reps4life]

Just ran across this and thought I'd supply how I was told by the MAKER of REPASHY how to use it.

You are supposed to dust EVERY feeding and you DO NOT need to leave any calcium supplement in the cage. I don't know who you bought it from, but if you would have bought it from geckoranch.com you would have been told exactly how this product works. You would think that other "suppliers" would be responsible enough to tell you how the product should be used being that they sell it. I've been using Repashy Supercal and Repashy Supervite mixed together (1/1) for around 5 months now and my geckos are very healthy and have not had any issues at all. They get a dusting of this on their food every feeding so there's no need for a bowl of it for them to spill in their cage. If you want to hear about this product and how you should use it from the source, I suggest calling the Gecko Ranch and talking to them directly. You don't need to buy anything else if you are using Repashy products, it's a waste of money if you are.

He is going to be more confused now There are so many things to take in consideration that there is no perfect way for everyone. Personally I do not like to rely on supplements. I have always used a uvb light and calcium with D
only once a week. Plain calcium on the other days. Multivitamins no more than once a week. I vary at least 4 feeders a week limiting the use of powdered vitamins. Of course if the diet is poor they will require supplements more frequently. It has worked for me for many years so I stick to it. My main leo is approximately 8 years old and I have had blood work and everything has been normal and he is quite healthy.

It's never easy

 

[Wild West Reptile]

Use this one day, that the other, but this only once a week and then again only on days with the letter "R" in them. Now THAT'S confusing. The OP says they have Repashy and they were not sure how to use it. If you are using Repashy, then it's simple. DUST EVERY FEEDING....PERIOD. No need for anything else. How is that confusing???????

 

[reps4life]

Use this one day, that the other, but this only once a week and then again only on days with the letter "R" in them. Now THAT'S confusing. The OP says they have Repashy and they were not sure how to use it. If you are using Repashy, then it's simple. DUST EVERY FEEDING....PERIOD. No need for anything else. How is that confusing???????

No, I did not mean you will confuse him. The problem is he has repashy, repcal and herptivite.

 

[LeopardShade]

feeding every other day is sufficient, and lightly dusting every other feeding with Rephahy's. If they need additional calcium, they can get that from a dish in their tank.

That is what I plan on doing once I notice the goobs have shrunk. I am ordering the pure Rep-Cal Calcium, it should come by the end of this week and I will leave a dish of that in their enclosures for them just in case they want to pick at it. Are there any risks of them oversupplementing themselves with the calcium left in the tank, along with the dusted Repashy feedings?

Don't worry, it does not mean any damage was done. As long as they are eating and passing feces their fine.

That's a relief! They are both eating a defecating.

Thank you all very much for your comments and for helping me through this. I will be taking each post into careful consideration, and I appreciate the time you've all taken to help me.

 

[reps4life]

That is what I plan on doing once I notice the goobs have shrunk. I am ordering the pure Rep-Cal Calcium, it should come by the end of this week and I will leave a dish of that in their enclosures for them just in case they want to pick at it. Are there any risks of them oversupplementing themselves with the calcium left in the tank, along with the dusted Repashy feedings?



That's a relief! They are both eating a defecating.

Thank you all very much for your comments and for helping me through this. I will be taking each post into careful consideration, and I appreciate the time you've all taken to help me.

You have to chose which product you want to use. If you use the Rep -
Cal then it's safe to leave the plain calcium in the tank. If you use Repashy There is no need for it. He can give you more insight on the use with Repashy if you prefer.

 

[LeopardShade]

I plan on using the Rep-Cal plain calcium to leave in the tank at all times, and dust with repashy calcium plus every other feeding. Will that suffice?

 

[reps4life]

I plan on using the Rep-Cal plain calcium to leave in the tank at all times, and dust with repashy calcium plus every other feeding. Will that suffice?

I am not very familiar with how repashy products work. Read this old post. I think Sunshinegecko uses both.

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=47162