Is it possible to poison an adult female Crested with too much calcium? I plan on breeding them as soon as quarantine is over and I read that you should offer a shallow dish of calcium to prevent crashing while she's developing eggs. Is there any reason for me to suspect that I can kill my females with too much? I haven't started yet but I added calcium to a batch of CGD. I haven't given it to them yet but I want to know if anyone has any information about this subject.
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
Calcium poisoning?
SWH
Feb 09, 2006 09:53 AM
Replies (3)
joeysgreen
Feb 09, 2006 05:38 PM
Some things about calcium that will help you with your question.
You probably know that vitamin D3 is used to help metabolize calcium. It allows for it to pass through the intestinal wall, into the circulatory system. Any excess dietary calcium is passed in the feces and not absorbed.
Sooo, if the animal has a natural amount of D3, it won't absorb too much calcium and you will not be overdosing it (withen reason of course). The animal should be recieving it's d3 either by producing it's own, and/or from it's diet (moreso in the nocturnal animals).
However, if to much D3 is present, the animal cannot regulate it's calcium absorption, and you can get a calcium overdose. Thus, I recommend a calcium supplement that does NOT contain D3. This vitamin should be occuring naturally in a varied, wholesome diet.
Symptoms of calcium overdose (through dietary means) would include swollen joints, thickened legs, and perhaps signs of arthritis and/or lack of urine production, and abdominal pain. If your pet becomes sick, a vet will discuss all possibilities with you 
Ian
JLeo
Feb 09, 2006 11:12 PM
It can overdose with too much D3, but it is also needed to absorb the calcium. If you do not have a source of UVB then you have to supplement them with the D3. I would recommend dusting their crickets with calcium w/ D3 2-3 times a week. I believe T-Rex diet already has calcium and D3 in it.
flamedcrestie
Feb 09, 2006 11:18 PM
"I believe T-Rex diet already has calcium and D3 in it."
you are correct, allen has gone over the subject many times ( on his forum www.repashy.com
he said there is more than enough calcium in the diet by itself.
i do however feel that getting towards the end of the breeding season that it is a good idea to add a pinch of calcium with d3 to the diet after the females have laid a clutch of eggs.
