Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just started reading the fourms again,and im shocked at all the people using calcium with d3. D3 IS NOT GOOD FOR LEOS , IT CAN KILL THEM. Get calcium without D3.

Ok, to start I don't want to pick a fight or start a debate. But I do want to know were you read this information or studies. If there is something I can change that would improve the quality of life of my geckos, I'll do it. But I need facts first, otherwise it's heresay.
I've used Rep-Cal Phosphorus-Free Calcium with Vit.D3 for years and haven't had problems with it. That I'm aware of.
Also in The Leopard Gecko Manual (Philippe de Vosjoli & others 1998) it states "high levals of D3 have not been determined in leos & excessive levals may be be associated with high incidence of birth defects or dead in shell rates. I know this book is old but later in The Herpetoculture of Leopard Geckos again (Philippe de Vosjoli & Ron Tremper 2005) in the Vitamin/mineral supplementation section ill affects of D3 is no where mentioned and seems to be recomended. If it's mentioned somewhere else in the book, give me the page number.
Ok so what I'm asking for is an educated informative discussion on this and not a insult hurling, belittling fight on D3. I'm now curious to read the studies done on ill affects associated by D3 so not only can I be informed and possably take measures to improve my own animals but also pass this info on to others.
Thanks

I think maybe he is confused. Maybe he meant phosphorous and not d3? pretty much anyone knows with a little reading that d3 is needed in helping the body to make use of the calcium it gets while phosphorous can hinder that process if the ca : ph ratio gets too far out of whack. If d3 gets to high I believe it just passes through don't really think you can overdose it whereas phosphorus you can potentially overdose.
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PHWyvern

i have also been using Rep-Cal w/ vit. D3 phosphorus free for about 4 years now and never shown any types of problems. Theres a lot of right information out there, then theres also a lot of wrong info too. Thats why forums are the best, lol.
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KHGeckos@tmail.com
Website coming soon.....

Actually, reptiles can OD on vit D3... Vit D3 is a fat soluable vitamin... Over time (it can take years) a build up of vit D3 causes the kidneys to shut down...

Vit D3 should not be used daily... Dusting fedders with Vit D3 once or twice a month is more than enough... Always keep a dish of straight calcium without D3 in the cage...

Do a little research on the subject before you say someones info is incorrect...

For the record (speaking for myself) I wasn't saying the information was incorrect. I was asking to be pointed in the direction where I can read this reaserch for myself and quoted the published resorces from authors with highly respectible cridentials. I just want to see the information and the sorces for myself so I can make an educated adjustment on how I care for my animals.

It is pretty much common knowledge that reptiles can over dose on vitamin D3... Like I said, it cause kidney failure and it cause hypercalcimia... This is when the body absorbs the extra calcium that woild normaly be passed...

Just do a google search on vitamin D3 over dose in reptiles... You will have lots of literature to read...

Thanks, I'll check that out and post my opinions/feelings on it.
Thanks again.

When I googled vit D3 over dosed in reptiles I got 1,940 search results. So I refined the search to Leopard Geckos and got 253 search results. I've spent about an hour or two sifting through conflicting information, caresheets just brushing on the subject, or info not Leo specific and didn't find conclusive information about D3 being deadly to Leopard Geckos that wasn't also assotiated with other poor husbandry care, mainly dehydration.
So with that said, would you point me closer to a specific and/or detailed resorces of this information. It would be appriciated.
To say its "Common knowledge in reptiles" is kind of a general statment when we are speaking about Leopard Geckos in paticular, because what I've learned in 15 plus years of keeping reptiles is it's also common knowledge that every reptile speicies has it's own specific needs, one being it's vitamin & mineral intake.
I'm not saying your information is incorrect, personally I'm very open minded and willing to learn. That's why I'm a quite well rounded in alot aspects of reptiles. I'm always learning something new about herps everyday. I just would like people to tell/share there resorces and not tell me to just google it.
I'm also going to bring this topic up with some other breeders I know and a nationally known herpetologist when I see him and get there opinions to.
Thanks again.

D3 can be given on occasion but certainly not all the time. Yes PURE calcuim dishes are to be supplied all the time in the cage as well.