Dog Shrink
Lost in the Lizard World
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So I was doing a little bug research for another thread I posted in and came up with a thought about our leo's diets and how much it plays into their GI issues that seem to be striking all over the forum lately. So this little rant is just me thinking out loud in regards to how to prevent this problem.
So referring back to my medical knowledge in the dog world, I wanted to apply someof that to the leo world, which may be way off since I don't know near as much about leos as I do dogs. BUT what I do know is that in order to maintain a healthy GI tract you have to have certain components in balance to produce optimum GI performance in digestion, nutrition absorbtion and waste removal.
Certain factors that would prob. be constant across the mammal/herp barrier (I presume) are that you need fiber, fats, and exercise/movement to maintain good GI motility. Motility is that lovely little thing that keeps us regular. Improper balance between any of those 3 components could lead to an irritated over active bowel producing soft stool/diarhea, or an underactive constipated bowel.
Now from the members that have recently had GI constipation issues... what is the MAIN DIET of your leo? Crickets, mealworms, superworms or other? Please define other. What is their activity level like? Do you handle them regularly?
Does anyone notice a common link between leos that are fed a higher fat higher fiber lower protein (superworm) diet being more regular with less constipation issues than leos that are fed a lower fat lower fiber higher protein (cricket) diet? I have noticed in dogs that have more bowel/GI issues they are often fed a higher protein lower fat/fiber diet.
Now here's the catch 22. A diet consistantly high in fiber, more than the body needs in dogs can produce an issue called fiber related (or triggered) colitis. This can cause the same soft stool/diareha you'd see from an overactive GI. So whats the balance??? I know in dogs a dietary blend of 26% protein, 3-4% fiber, and 16-18% fats is optimum for GI health. Is there anything documented for leos?
I see a lot of people that post about a constipated leo, one of the first things they ask is should I feed my leo... I say YES absolutely for a couple reasons, first you would want to increase fiber intake to increase motility, can't do that with out feeding a higher fiber food like supers. You also want to increase the amount of fats in the GI tract to help "grease the tracks" so to say and prevent further irritation to the intestinal lining. Add a couple of wax worms. Decrease protein as it is hard for the GI to work and absorb nutrients out of proteins, or maybe consider changing your main protein source. Stop feeding mealies, try dubias insted, or stop feeding crickets and try supers insted. Why should some one stop feeding their constipated leo if he is completely willing to eat? Cramps can be remedied with warm soaks and the muscles relax but if you're not feeding the GI it stops working, RIGHT? Increase physical exercise. Handle your leo more. I always tell client's that are potty training pups or have an older dog, "Movement makes movements", so logically handling your leo more would increase GI motility. Shouldn't making some of these changes aide in the eleviation and prevention of constipation?
I think varying the diet means more than just giving your herp a change of pace for something different... I think it's something everyone should practice on a regular basis simply for good GI maintenance and gut flora balance. The additive of a pro biotic once in a while to make sure your herp is a optimum GI health should be considered as important as calcium suppliments imo. In the dog world I would have to say easily 60% of vet visits are for dogs with chronic GI issues that could be eliminated thru proper education and practice of correct nutrition and how it affects the GI. I don't see why leos should be any different. I know our leos are content with a handful of mealies in their dish every feeding for life if need be but in the long run what kind of time bombs are we planting simply because it's maybe easier or cheaper to maintain status quo, they're eating, their pooping, it's good right? Maybe for right now but... tick tick tick...
I know the cliche if it isn't broke dont fix it, but I also know prevention is key. I don't know where this rant is going but I guess I was just trying to make people think a little... pay a little more attention, or learn a little more...
So referring back to my medical knowledge in the dog world, I wanted to apply someof that to the leo world, which may be way off since I don't know near as much about leos as I do dogs. BUT what I do know is that in order to maintain a healthy GI tract you have to have certain components in balance to produce optimum GI performance in digestion, nutrition absorbtion and waste removal.
Certain factors that would prob. be constant across the mammal/herp barrier (I presume) are that you need fiber, fats, and exercise/movement to maintain good GI motility. Motility is that lovely little thing that keeps us regular. Improper balance between any of those 3 components could lead to an irritated over active bowel producing soft stool/diarhea, or an underactive constipated bowel.
Now from the members that have recently had GI constipation issues... what is the MAIN DIET of your leo? Crickets, mealworms, superworms or other? Please define other. What is their activity level like? Do you handle them regularly?
Does anyone notice a common link between leos that are fed a higher fat higher fiber lower protein (superworm) diet being more regular with less constipation issues than leos that are fed a lower fat lower fiber higher protein (cricket) diet? I have noticed in dogs that have more bowel/GI issues they are often fed a higher protein lower fat/fiber diet.
Now here's the catch 22. A diet consistantly high in fiber, more than the body needs in dogs can produce an issue called fiber related (or triggered) colitis. This can cause the same soft stool/diareha you'd see from an overactive GI. So whats the balance??? I know in dogs a dietary blend of 26% protein, 3-4% fiber, and 16-18% fats is optimum for GI health. Is there anything documented for leos?
I see a lot of people that post about a constipated leo, one of the first things they ask is should I feed my leo... I say YES absolutely for a couple reasons, first you would want to increase fiber intake to increase motility, can't do that with out feeding a higher fiber food like supers. You also want to increase the amount of fats in the GI tract to help "grease the tracks" so to say and prevent further irritation to the intestinal lining. Add a couple of wax worms. Decrease protein as it is hard for the GI to work and absorb nutrients out of proteins, or maybe consider changing your main protein source. Stop feeding mealies, try dubias insted, or stop feeding crickets and try supers insted. Why should some one stop feeding their constipated leo if he is completely willing to eat? Cramps can be remedied with warm soaks and the muscles relax but if you're not feeding the GI it stops working, RIGHT? Increase physical exercise. Handle your leo more. I always tell client's that are potty training pups or have an older dog, "Movement makes movements", so logically handling your leo more would increase GI motility. Shouldn't making some of these changes aide in the eleviation and prevention of constipation?
I think varying the diet means more than just giving your herp a change of pace for something different... I think it's something everyone should practice on a regular basis simply for good GI maintenance and gut flora balance. The additive of a pro biotic once in a while to make sure your herp is a optimum GI health should be considered as important as calcium suppliments imo. In the dog world I would have to say easily 60% of vet visits are for dogs with chronic GI issues that could be eliminated thru proper education and practice of correct nutrition and how it affects the GI. I don't see why leos should be any different. I know our leos are content with a handful of mealies in their dish every feeding for life if need be but in the long run what kind of time bombs are we planting simply because it's maybe easier or cheaper to maintain status quo, they're eating, their pooping, it's good right? Maybe for right now but... tick tick tick...
I know the cliche if it isn't broke dont fix it, but I also know prevention is key. I don't know where this rant is going but I guess I was just trying to make people think a little... pay a little more attention, or learn a little more...
