I feel like a horrible owner right now :(

[Suzan]

I totally understand what you are saying because I have been there too. The pet store told me what they told you and I felt bad 'cause I fed my Zig the same way as you did and i couldn't understand why his weight was so much less than others :dontknow: . I have learned sooo much from this site and it's sad pet stores aren't educated the write way. I also found someone that's just 20min away from me that is sooo awesome. We have hit it off and now i have a friend that has the same love for beardie's as i do. I just want to say that i used to feed Zig meal worms and he got very impacted too. I was doing some reading on one of the posts and they said to try
Phoenix worms (there is a site on google). These worms are GREAT for my beardie he loves them so much he would eat all of them (100 in a tub if i let him they are also high in ca. They aren't exoskeletal so they are better for Zig than the other one's were, however they may not be the best for everyone just thought I'de share my experience.
You are a great mom and he is sooooooo cute, I remember how little Zig was, now I call him "chunky monkey".
My husband just laughs. :lol:
Do you have a updated pic? I'de love to see him/her.
I don't remember reading his/her name. I guess I'm getting old if you did.

Zeusmybeardie I read (on a post) that you shouldnt give ca/d if you have very good lighting just ca. I was just wondering so I don't do the wrong thing.

 

[ClydesGirl]

Zeusmybeardie I read (on a post) that you shouldnt give ca/d if you have very good lighting just ca. I was just wondering so I don't do the wrong thing.

There's not much evidence to suggest giving D3 to a beardie in suppliment form is very effective anyway, but the general rule I've heard around here is that if you are using a Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB) for UVB, then you should give calcium without D3 or do it on a rotation with D3 one day and without the next. If you are using a fluorescent tube for UVB, then you should always use calcium *with* D3.

 

[XtinaBeardieMom]

Zeusmybeardie I read (on a post) that you shouldnt give ca/d if you have very good lighting just ca. I was just wondering so I don't do the wrong thing.

There's not much evidence to suggest giving D3 to a beardie in suppliment form is very effective anyway, but the general rule I've heard around here is that if you are using a Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB) for UVB, then you should give calcium without D3 or do it on a rotation with D3 one day and without the next. If you are using a fluorescent tube for UVB, then you should always use calcium *with* D3.

I use a Reptisun 10.0 plus basking bulb. My adult beardie gets calcium w/D3 twice per week and calcium w/out D3 once a week. My juvenile beardie gets calcium w/D3 three times per week and calcium w/out D3 twice per week. This is per advice that Tracie (Drache613) gave me. I've read about what you mentioned suggesting there's no evidence that D3 in supplement form is effective, but then again I've also read about the possibility of D3 toxicity from over-supplementing... so I went with something in the middle to be safe for my own peace of mind. I use liquid calcium (you can get it with or without D3 here >>> http://www.reptiza.net/beardeddragon.co/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=56) ...I like using the liquid as opposed to the powder because the body absorbs it better, it's a precisely measured dose based on weight so you never have to guess at too little/too much, and I like that my dragons are used to taking something out of a syringe almost every day. That way they won't have to go through a massive adjustment if I ever have to syringe feed them or give them medication.

 

[wolfysluv]

What would D3 toxicity look like in a dragon?
I thought i was to use Reptical 5x a week. Does that not have D3 in it? I thought it did. And i thought we were supposed to do the D3.

 

[XtinaBeardieMom]

What would D3 toxicity look like in a dragon?
I thought i was to use Reptical 5x a week. Does that not have D3 in it? I thought it did. And i thought we were supposed to do the D3.

I honestly have no idea what D3 toxicity in a bearded dragon would look like or whether it's a even a legitimate concern... I've tried Googling it, but there are so many conflicting reports on the matter. Ooohhhh Tracieee, where are you?? lol

I'm pretty sure RepCal has D3 in it (did you mean that, or actual ReptiCal?) Don't worry, as long as your beardie isn't full grown yet then what you're doing is just fine. There are different ways to go about it, like I do with the precisely dosed liquid versions. However tons of responsible beardie owners have done what you're doing as far as calcium & turned out some healthy happy beardies. Some people skip a dose of D3 here and there and just use plain calcium on some days - and I've never heard of that not turning out just fine either. If your beardie happens to be full grown, then cut the calcium doses to about 3 days per week.

 

[Spikeshuman]

Spike gets Flukers calcium with D3 on his crickets in the morning. I have a reptisun 10.0 and I take him out into the sun for 30+ minutes at least 4 times a week.. and I take him out for at least 10-15 minutes on the days I dont have the time to spend the full 30 min.. or when its just TOO hot for me to handle it. SO.. unless its raining, which it hasnt since I got him.. he gets sun every day. Am I hurting him by supplementing too?

 

[ashleyelsha]

A, D, E, and K are fat soluble vitamins, so yes they can be overdosed and you can get toxicity. The other vitamins are water soluble and ideally whatever isn't utilized is excreted in the urine.

 

[newmommybeardie]

aww don't feel bad, everyone makes mistakes! At least your new baby has a momma who cares enough to do research, instead of just forever using the incorrect info learned at the pet store. And beardies are surprisingly hardy (there's actually a story on the forums about one that escaped and lived under the porch for a month!)
Also, welcome aboard! I'm a new beardie mom too, and the people on here are super wonderful and knowledgeable and helpful. Most of my questions were answered on past threads, but the one I did post about got a lot of helpful answers. Your dragon is super cute! Love that little face

Im new to this site and new as a baby Beardie mom i aswell have made a few mistakes with my baby beardie but im learning from the great people in this forum i wish you good luck and joy with your new family member i sure am enjoying mine.

 

[sweetiepie9]

When I used Reptisun 10.0 I always used Rep-cal w/vit D, 5x/week as babies & 3x/wk as adults, min/vit supplement 2x/wk as babies & 1/wk as adults. I switched to Power Sun mercury vapour lights about 5 years ago & have been using them ever since. Since my dragons are all adults males I also switched to liquid calcium & liquid vit/min, as they all do well using oral syringes & they get better supplementation, but that's just my experience & I have the time to give it to them. Before I switched to the liquid stuff, I still used the repcal w/Vit D3, they're all healthy & I've never had an issue. They've all seen the vet (I have a great herp vet) along the way without any issues, so I don't think it would do any beardies any harm. Remember it's only 5 feedings a week for babies & 3 feedings a week for adults, so I don't think they'll get any Vit D3 toxicity.

 

[brittani299]

My dragons name is daisy. I will upload new pics tomorrow. She is growing like a weed in the last few weeks.

 

[sweetiepie9]

That is so good to hear. I have to tell you, everyone has been a newbie at one time & have also been given bad advice at a pet shop. I started off with a 4 mo old who was skin & bones & had her on sand until she was over a year old. Because of this site I was able to save her life but without it she would have passed away. So please don't feel guilty. I go to the same shop all the time to pick up supers & crickets (for my gecko) and actually get into arguments about dragons all the time with the staff. They're there to sell stuff, not make sure dragons are well cared for...it's rare that you find an educated reptile person in a shop. I"m just glad you found us & that you got on the right track. Isn't it great to watch your baby dragon grow & grow & grow? It's such a great feeling, they just get into our hearts

 

[brittani299]

Well thank you everyone for all of your advise and help. It is much appreciated.

 

[brittani299]

I totally understand what you are saying because I have been there too. The pet store told me what they told you and I felt bad 'cause I fed my Zig the same way as you did and i couldn't understand why his weight was so much less than others :dontknow: . I have learned sooo much from this site and it's sad pet stores aren't educated the write way. I also found someone that's just 20min away from me that is sooo awesome. We have hit it off and now i have a friend that has the same love for beardie's as i do. I just want to say that i used to feed Zig meal worms and he got very impacted too. I was doing some reading on one of the posts and they said to try
Phoenix worms (there is a site on google). These worms are GREAT for my beardie he loves them so much he would eat all of them (100 in a tub if i let him they are also high in ca. They aren't exoskeletal so they are better for Zig than the other one's were, however they may not be the best for everyone just thought I'de share my experience.
You are a great mom and he is sooooooo cute, I remember how little Zig was, now I call him "chunky monkey".
My husband just laughs. :lol:
Do you have a updated pic? I'de love to see him/her.
I don't remember reading his/her name. I guess I'm getting old if you did.

Zeusmybeardie I read (on a post) that you shouldnt give ca/d if you have very good lighting just ca. I was just wondering so I don't do the wrong thing.

Ok posted new pics of him/ her. I think she might be a he now. Posted about that too

 

[Suzan]

I use zoo med 10.0 husband said they put off uvb and uva.
I just wanna ask if what im doing is ok for Zig.
I use repti ca/-d3 powder on the cricks every day and also put vit sup w/beta carotene 4x's a wk. Am I over dosing my little guy. Zig is 7mo old. I pray I'm not overdosing him. What sould I do....... :dontknow: . My little guy has become a pig the last 7 days. He ate all his greens yest. alot. sprayed vit supp. and also ate about 26 cricks dusted w/out d3.
PLS help....

 

[ClydesGirl]

There's a chart for how often to dust with vitamins here:

http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html