Reptile & Amphibian Forums

N/p

NO

Suppliments like calicum and of course medicines, are indeeded to be used on a, as needed basis. If there are signs of improper calicum levels, then a suppliment could be used.

Normally, a diet of healthy rodents does not require any suppliments, in my experience. But I would still keep a jar of Rep-cal sitting on the shelf, just in case.

I would not base whether to use a suppliment on type of diet. I would base it one the results of a diet. If the product of a diet is calicum depleted monitors, then I would either change the diet or add a suppliment.

Its also my opinion, that calicum depleted monitors are a product of more then a poor diet, but indeed the results of poor husbandry.

That means, if you see monitors that are calicum depleted, you should address more then diet alone.

I do not recomend giving captives, suppliments and medicines, that are not needed. That indeed only mucks up the ability to judge your husbandry.

With that said, I have not seen any adverse effects of using rep-cal with d-3, not indoors, or outdoors, whether it was needed or not. With a insect diet or a rodent diet. I also have not seen any real benefits when used on a rodent diet. Cheers FR

Thanks i appreciste your detailed answer to my question. My monitors dont show any signs of calcium deficency and appear quite healthy, inquisitive and mobile. I asked the question because i haven't been using any type of supplement since they've been on a strictly rodentia diet and was wondering if i was not doing so out of ignorance. But i guess as long as their healthy and have no bone deformities etc. i have no need for such things. Which by the way makes alot of since because thru observing behaviors, weight gains, termoregulation, etc., i've come to learn that my monitors tend to tell me thru obvious ways when somethings not right. So again thx to all who responded and to you for being so indepth.

Jaye

In your post you mentioned not needing supplements for rodent diets as well as insect diets, granted the husbandry is fine. Please correct me if I am wrong, I did read the post somewhat quickly. I do not have an acanthurus, or any other monitor, but plan to get one soon.

I was told to use repcal every feeding for hatchlings and about 2-3 times a week for adults. Most likely the diet would consist of crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, and any other insect available for feeding varanus.

I am not sure about about pink mice yet, I know people feed them to thier ackies but I heard too many mice can cause gout in acanthurus.

Just wanted to know so I get it right in the future, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
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Starkey
2.2 Colombian Boa Constrictors
1.1 Taiwan Beauty Snakes
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
B.O.A. INC.
Looking for articles on Boa constrictor constrictor, Imperator, and Varanus(Specically the V. olivaceus and V. Salvadorii)

Yet no harm in adding it to a rodent diet. If you feed insects as your ackies diet like I do, then you should use a calcium D3 supplement with those insects. I prefer Miner-all, its clcium Vit D3 and a bunch of natural elements. I dont add other vitamins to their food. Calcium is needed when an animal grows, produces eggs, heals injuries, and to regulate heartbeat etc, so I use Miner-all on every insect my ackie and my beardies eat, as well my beadies veggies. So far between 2 collections (mine and a good friends) Ive only seen 2 broken bone incidents, both were bearded dragons, one was a male of mine that jumped out of his cage onto the concrete and broke a bone in his foot, I splinted it and he never slowed down. The other was a male bitten on the front right foot by a female in his cage, very badly alot of open tooth marks. Both breaks healed with a simple wood splint and duct tape, in a week and a half or less, with some scabs on the one males foot to heal. I believe if fed and housed correctly they heal very very fast.

I have successfully raised many ackies without the use of any suppliment.

It was not until I started raising large numbers did I find reason for use of suppliments. I found the need for vitamins.

Again, to use or not to use, is a decision based on experience and need.

The question of, can it cause harm, seems to be mute so far. There have been reports of overdoses, but only from unsuccessful keepers. Which hints it may not have been the suppliments.FR

Thank you for the replys.

So, when I get my acanthurus, should I stick to the supplements? My care will most likley not be perfect, but it will be close. Do you know how much to use?
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Starkey
2.2 Colombian Boa Constrictors
1.1 Taiwan Beauty Snakes
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
B.O.A. INC.
Looking for articles on Boa constrictor constrictor, Imperator, and Varanus(Specically the V. olivaceus and V. Salvadorii)

I know your care will not be perfect, my care is not perfect, no ones is. With keeping a living object in captivity(or in nature) Care or support, is always temporay. It may have perfect results. But its only for the moment.

Care is about application and making decisions. If you apply good care, the captives progress and change. With change, means you have to make decisions. We as humans have consistantly shown we are not good at that. While we make good ones, now and then, we surely follow it by making bad ones too. FR

Can unnecessary vitamin/calcium supplementing cause health problems? I read that excessive vitamin A can cause thyroid problems in bearded dragons. Have you seen anything similar in a monitor? Just curious.
Thanks.