Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read that you should soak baby boxies in viatamin powder. Why? Should I put some vitamin powder in my spray bottle?

I have never heard of soaking babies in vitamin powder but I do know that if you mix vitamins in the spray bottle it won't take them long to break down and become ineffective.
If they're eating a good diet, getting sunlight, or good UV/B indoors there's no reason to soak them in vitamins.
-----
PHRatz

I don't know where you read that... I have seen recommendations for soaking in water w/ vitamin drops in a situation where the turtle is very stressed/underweight/sick and isn't eating well.
Dusting its food with vitamin powder should be adequate.
Stephanie

Its published in Mader's Reptile Medicine and Surgery, W.B. Saunder's Co, Philadelphia.

The recommendation to add vitamins to the water when soaking sick/ill or dehydrated turtles has been circulating in the herpetological community for decades. Not only can this increase the rate of decomposition of the vitamins it can also decrease the palatability of the water reducing drinking. Other potential factors to weigh are the fact that the dosage of the vitamin/mineral is very uncontrolled and there is a risk for over/under supplementing the animal.

Ed