D3 Debate

[EnchantmentGecko]

Okay so I'm entirely confused by all the different things I've been reading on here about D3 and calcium as well as vitamins. I don't think I'm the only one so I'd like to make a few assumptions and ask a couple questions.

I know that leos are nocturnal therefore do not use the sunlight to produce D3 themselves.

Next, I also know that D3 aids in the absorption of calcium and without it most reptiles (if not all) suffer from MBD.

So.

Shouldn't leos need at least a small amount of D3 somewhere in their diet?

Please explain why you think they should or should not for all of us that are confused.

Should vitamins (most of which contain D3) be used as a dust for feeders or left in the enclosure?

Should the calcium left in the enclosure contain D3 or not?

 

[katie_]

Leopard geckos DO require d3 but can also overdose from too much. This is why people only place calcium with no d3 in the enclosure. This way if the gecko ingests calcium, they cannot over do it with d3. D3 should be dusted onto the feeders with a multi vitamin evey so often ( this is the debatable subject) . Many people stick to the repashy brand which is a safe, all in one supplement. It's slightly confusing lol.

 

[LeopardShade]

Shouldn't leos need at least a small amount of D3 somewhere in their diet?

Yes of course, for the reason you've already concluded in your post. That's where dusting with Cal + D3 comes into play.

Should vitamins (most of which contain D3) be used as a dust for feeders or left in the enclosure?

I personally believe that reptile vitamins such as Reptivite or Herptivite should be saved for dusting (preferably once a week, not daily, excluding the Repashy supplement) and dusting only, not to ever be left in the enclosure for them to pick due to the extremely small and rare possibility of an overdose. While vitamin toxicity is extremely rare, I still prefer to air on the safe side.

Should the calcium left in the enclosure contain D3 or not?

I use plain ol' Calcium w/o Phosphorus in the enclosure at all times for them to consume at their liking and save D3 for dusting once a week with, for reasons I've already mentioned above.

 

[sausage]

leos are crepuscular NOT nocturnal.


In the wild leos spend most of the day tucked away in burrows under the ground, however small amounts of UV still penetrated through the ground to reach them. they will come out in the sun and absorb some D3 aswell. they only require a small amount of D3 which is why they do not bask under direct sunlight like beardies. so this means that even if your leo spends most of the day in its hide it is still receiving a D3 dose.

plain calcium should be left in the cage at all times, if this is over eaten it will just pass right out the other end no harm done.
dusting once a week with a vitamin supplement containing D3 is recommended to as an insurance measure as it were, to insure that your pet is in fact receiving the correct vitamins.

A low UVB bulb can also be used to insure the calcium is being absorbed (no higher then 2%) for a max of 3hours a day if you so wish.

 

[kaws]

Dust with... http://www.store.repashy.com/calcium-plus-4-oz-bag.html

Calcium Bowl at all times... http://www.store.repashy.com/supercal-nod-4-oz-bag.html

 

[EnchantmentGecko]

They would only get D3 if they are exposed to UVB and most animals kept in racks probably are not exposed to much if any sunlight. So I wouldn't think it wise to rely on sunlight to provide leos in captivity with the required D3.

Ok. So calcium dish without D3 at all times and a dusting with a multivitamin that contains D3.

I've seen a lot of debate about how often to dust so here's a few more questions.

How often should a multivitamin be dusted for hatchlings and juvis, adults, and ovulating females?

I think that covers most the questions on vitamins and calcium.

 

[katie_]

If you use the all in one, there's no questioning. Just dust with it with every meal. Everyone has their own opinions when it comes to multivitamins and how often.

 

[EnchantmentGecko]

I have both plain calcium and multivitamins, have had them since I got my leos. I use mealworms so I dust pretty much every meal anyway since it doesn't stick real well but I have no experience with hatchlings and juvis. I've seen so much debate though it's confusing. It'd be nice to have it all in one post even if it's just personal opinions backed by experience. Besides all of them have different needs on vitamins and calcium and not all of us have experience or ease of finding information to tell us what to do

 

[sausage]

well females producing eggs need more calcium so you need an increased amount of D3 as well.
as for adults and juvies id say keep the amount the same.