Reptile & Amphibian Forums

has anyone used liquid calcium on dart frogs? and if frogs absorb liquids thru their skin, will the liquid calcium hurt them if it gets on their skin? thanks

I have heard of using calcium gluconate (like the kind that is used for IV injections in humans and other mammals) as a soak for frogs with metabolic bone disease due to calcium deficiency, but don't know why you would use it for any other purpose other than this emergency situation. It wouldn't replace vitamin dusting and wouldn't contain the D3 needed to utilize it. My main familiarity with calcium gluconate is it's use for black widow spider bites. It relieves the severe abdominal cramping these bites can cause.
-----
Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus pending

Sean Stewart recommends this after extreme stress from shipping. Often, they hyperventilate during shipping and spasm and look like they're dead. Calcium helps the spasms and makes them wake up from fainting faster. Check out his website for more details. www.herpetologic.net