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Calcium and D3 supplement

Gaeroval Jun 28, 2005 05:45 PM

What are the rules for using this supplement? I was told at a pet store today that I should use it to bulk up my Uro (she was very thin when I bought her and I've been trying to get her to gain some weight), however, I've read that the dosage needs to be VERY exact when using it. Anybody got any advice??

Thanks!!!

Replies (1)

el_toro Jun 28, 2005 06:26 PM

Yikes! Ok, as you apparently know, you don't use calcium or D3 to "bulk up" uros any more than you would swallow bottles of calcium tablets if you wanted to gain weight. Proper use of calcium is great for helping round out a diet that might be too high in phosphorus (as an example). D3 is necessary for the uros to properly convert the calcium in the diet. However, dietary D3 should only be offered if your uro doesn't have access to UVB (natural sunlight or a good UVB bulb), as the uro will produce its own under UVB. D3 can be toxic in too high amounts. Either of these supplements should be used once or twice a week (just a light sprinkling on the salad), depending on your situation and the age of the uro. I'm unaware of any studies that have actually determined a specific dosage or analyzed the nutritional needs of uros. Perhaps Debb_luvs_uros or someone else more studied than I can help there.

If you're worried about your uro being too thin, green peas are a good way to get weight on quickly, though they aren't a very well balanced food, so cut back on them once he's filled out some. Make sure he's eating lots of greens (not veggies, but dark, leafy greens) to keep hydration up. And there's a tortoise diet by Mazuri that (when soaked in hot water and mixed with peas) is reported to put weight on a uro quickly. The Mazuri diet does have D3 in it, so keep that in mind with your other supplements.

Please keep in mind that I'm not perfect at this, and I could be off or inaccurate in my info, so hopefully clever folk will hop in and correct me if I am! Keep reading, keep asking questions, ask your vet (if you trust him/her). A vet visit might be a good idea anyway, if you haven't already done so. Very thin individuals often have parasites - the erradication of which can cause great improvement in physical condition.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx geyri (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and Spike)
1.1 Uromastyx ornata (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
2.1 Anolis carolinensis (Bowser, Sprocket, and Leeloo)
1.1 Felis domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

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