Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Or howver you spell it. I have been using this on my mealworms and night crawlers for my hatchlings and adults. My hatchlings got swollen eyes and I asked here plus went to what i thought was pogospals.com( I am only stating this part because someone will accuse me of lying in a earlier post)but I actually got my info from billsboxturtles.com. It said it was a viat. a Deffeciency. I wondered how it was possible since I use the powder on my turtle food. Well, this particular brand has every viat except A. So I bought Flukes viat powder. It has A.

I am only trying to give a heads up here. Since I assumed someothing that said it was Viat powder for reptiles had everything they needed my turtles got eye problems. All are cleared up for the nost part except one.

Are you referring to Herptivite by Rep-Cal? While it's true the product does not list Vit.A on the label, it does contain Beta Carotene which is converted by the body into Vit.A. This is the same chemical which is found in many fruits and vegetables and is responsible for giving these plants their red, yellow and orange colors. Carrots are one excellent natural source for beta carotene. As is explained on the Herptivite label, beta carotene is used since it is absorbed and used by the body in a regulated way. Being fat-soluble, there is a possiblity of overdose with Vit.A. However, it is nearly impossible to overdose on beta carotene, as the body simply flushes out whatever it doesn't need. This is why it seems to be safer to supplement with beta carotene rather than with Vit.A itself. The major side effect of too much beta carotene is an increase in orange coloration of the skin. In terms of box turtles, this isn't particularly a bad thing. Indeed, turtles that consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables rich in beta carotene display more vibrant coloring. Keep in mind there are many things that could cause a hatchling (or any age) box turtles eyes to swell, namely inappropriate humidity levels. And also, many symptoms blamed on Vit.A deficiency are actually the result of some other problem. That isn't to say your hatchlings weren't Vit.A deficient, just something to keep in mind.

Thank you for the info