Reptile & Amphibian Forums

if so, what is it that expires?
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

I do not know what expires. The compounds probably begin to breakdown. I know repcal does list an expiration date on it. As do all human vitamins for that matter.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

I just got a pale of rep-cal and I was told the date on it was a manufacture date not an experation date, just didn't sound right to me. The date was 10/03.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

From the website supplementquality.com : "While expiration dates are desirable, they are not always necessary. Certain substances such as calcium carbonate have an extremely long shelf life. Lack of an expiration date in this case is inconsequential."
Hope this helps!
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Stacey

I would look into that. The calcium carbonate might not break down but I think that the Vit D3 may break down. I thought rep Cal came with an exp. date stamped on it. I don't feel like going check right now. I will post once I do.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Does anyone have any studies that show that bearded dragons can utilize oral vitamin D3? I only found referene to iguanas and the fact that they cannot utilize oral vitamin D3 and only use what they synthesize through the absorption of UVB. Why are beardies different? They are both diurnal lizards. Just curious.
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Stacey

To my knowledge there is no concrete proof either way that beardies or igauanas can or can not use vitamin d3 orally. But every other herp that eats whole prey items can do it. This is why they do not need uvb (every snake for instance). As round about proof you could use the fact that there are breeders (small to large) that do not use any UVB source just supplement their dragons food. And have females that produce clutch after clutch of fully white eggs and the females do not show any signs of MBD. This shows that the supplementation schedule allows the dragon to absorb sufficient calcium. Hence they must be absorbing the oral D3. But there to my knowledge has not been a study to say scientifically either way that dragons or igs can absorb dietary D3. But everyother creature out there seems to have the ability to. Just some non scientific points.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Thank you that is more or less what I was looking for. I can't find any studies(online anyway) that prove anything either way for iguanas it has been intimated to ( "it" being the inabiity of iguanas to utilize oral D3) in herp conference proceedings, this is why I asked. I am going to continue to research in the literature next time I am up ae Davis Vet med library. I'll let you know If I find anything. I study the renal system of reptiles in particular renal failure ( I know morbid hobby ), and I am currently looking into hypervitaminosis D as a cause of renal failure in herps. So just seeing what anyone else has research wise ,no sense recreating the wheel. Thanks again Derek!
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Stacey

IF you want to read about some UVB/D3 stuff I would check out the following site. Obviously all about igs. But it does contain some good info.

www.myiguana.com
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Also, the picture on the homepage is a scream!!
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Stacey

I'm not convinced about iguanas not being able to use dietary d3. As for Dragons, like Derrek said, there are a number of keepers and breeders from this forum that have not provided any uvb to there dragons. I have been keeping and breeding dragons for a total of 10 years and have raised them through all life stages without using uvb lighting. I don't see any reason why they would not be able to use dietary d3, thier bodies should recognize it as the same molecule being produced though uvb radiation. It's the same enzyme acting on it whether it was the result of uvb exposure of ingestion.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

Rep cal does have expirery dates on it. Mine expires late 2004 I believe..or 2005, can't remember which bottle has the later expirery, the rep cal or the multi-vitamine.

It's the vitamins that "expire". Pure calcium carbonate will not expire. Through expose to warmth, light, and air, vitamins become less potent. That is way alot say to store in a cool, dry place.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me