Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Since the big debate has come about on this Dragon dust I decided to take one of my slow growing females and try it out on her. I started just under two weeks ago. I reduced her crickets by almost 50% but started dusting them and her veggies with Veggie Growth Formula. I also started giving her two salads a day vs. one previously. In that time frame she has gained over 40 grams in weight and 2" in length. She has never had a spurt like that. I have noticed her urates are more chalky and solid but have noticed no other differences. I plan on making the switch to all my dragons. Just food fir thought.

Mike
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.

That is great news! When I first started using the dusts, I noticed the same results you have. I don't use the ICB formula and only use the VGF and VMF. I haven't touched a jar of multi vitamins or seperate calcium since
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Lisa
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Mike,
I'm glad to hear you are having positive results with the t-rex dusts, keep us posted on how the rest do. I have thought about the increase and change in urates that some people have reported. I have come up with a hypothesis that may or may not be the case. Since Uric acid is formed by the breakdown of protiens, I think it might have something to do with both the increase in protien when using the dusts and the quality of protien used in the dusts.
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Bill DiFabio
Garden State Herpetoculture...website to follow...
Email Me
"The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense,
not between right and wrong." - Carl Jung

First, do you think the urate hardening may be temporary?

Second, how much protein is contained in VGF compared to VMF again? Also, what else is different between the two?

I guess that's 3 questions, sorry.

TX!
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Rob Talkington

>>First, do you think the urate hardening may be temporary?

I can't answer that ?...I have not experienced any problems like that with my dragons. I suppose a dragon could adjust to it if that happens. You are honestly the only person that I have heard have it become such a problem with thier dragon. It's a shame that you seem to have had a negative experience with the superfoods, they really are great products.

>>Second, how much protein is contained in VGF compared to VMF again? Also, what else is different between the two?

The VGF contains a min. of 30% by dry mass., but is probably between 35-40%. I think the VMF is like a 23% min.(my bulk container does not have a label on it). the VMF also has slightly higher fiber, and lower calcium and d3.

hope this helps

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Bill DiFabio
Garden State Herpetoculture...website to follow...
Email Me
"The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense,
not between right and wrong." - Carl Jung

If it's the protein that causes the urate problem maybe the VMF would work better for my big dragon. He has slowed waaay down in growth. I didn't have any problems with my smaller dragon who is growing like a weed, only my bigger one.

Maybe I'll give it a shot and see what happens. Thanks for your help!
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Rob Talkington