Just a question

[Klogue1]

I think this is the right forum to post it anyways...

But my question is, just curious, why do we supplement calcium WITH D3 if we provide UVB lights?

Newbie question, sorry. Ive only ever had nocturnal reptiles before so UVB is a first for me.

 

[MissT]

D3 is the vitamin needed to process calcium. With tube lighting, insufficient amounts of D3 can be produced so this needs to be supplemented with the D3 in the calcium to ensure the beardie can process it correctly

Hope this helps
T

 

[Klogue1]

Ah ok, thank you for clarifying that for me!

 

[FBradshaw]

You don't need to supplement D3 unless there is a known D3 deficiency and is then recommended by a vet. D3 toxicity can be very harmful even fatal to your dragons and without being able to do the required blood work to check D3 levels you could be poisoning your pet.

 

[Klogue1]

Oh... So I shouldn't supplement D3? I have a UVB light too.

 

[randommonks]

Oh... So I shouldn't supplement D3? I have a UVB light too.

Toxicity due to D3 would require large amounts of D3 coming from their diet. If you use a powder with D3, make sure to use a pinch, instead of caking the insects/veggies with it. There are conflicting reports (not real research as far as I've read) that D3 powder can't be absorbed, that D3 is not needed if the beardies get out in the sun every day, that D3 is essential to a beardie's development, that D3 can replace the need for a UVB, etc. Use your best judgement when reading things off the internet. That being said, a lot of the people here do recommend that you use a calcium powder with D3 if you're using a tube style UVB. If you use a MVB, then it is generally not recommended that you use D3.

 

[Klogue1]

Oh... So I shouldn't supplement D3? I have a UVB light too.

Toxicity due to D3 would require large amounts of D3 coming from their diet. If you use a powder with D3, make sure to use a pinch, instead of caking the insects/veggies with it. There are conflicting reports (not real research as far as I've read) that D3 powder can't be absorbed, that D3 is not needed if the beardies get out in the sun every day, that D3 is essential to a beardie's development, that D3 can replace the need for a UVB, etc. Use your best judgement when reading things off the internet. That being said, a lot of the people here do recommend that you use a calcium powder with D3 if you're using a tube style UVB. If you use a MVB, then it is generally not recommended that you use D3.

Ah ok, thank you very much for helping! I use a UVB tube, so I will start supplementing when I feed Crestasia next time. Luckily I had D3 calcium around from before! (not extremely old, a couple months, is that ok?)

 

[randommonks]

Ah ok, thank you very much for helping! I use a UVB tube, so I will start supplementing when I feed Crestasia next time. Luckily I had D3 calcium around from before! (not extremely old, a couple months, is that ok?)

I'm not sure if those types of powder expire. I'll leave that to someone else. I've had my powder for 3 months now, and it's nowhere close to being even slightly used...

 

[Klogue1]

Ah ok, thank you very much for helping! I use a UVB tube, so I will start supplementing when I feed Crestasia next time. Luckily I had D3 calcium around from before! (not extremely old, a couple months, is that ok?)

I'm not sure if those types of powder expire. I'll leave that to someone else. I've had my powder for 3 months now, and it's nowhere close to being even slightly used...

Same here hah, that's why I wonder if they do expire, and hopefully not too soon... I'm only about a sixth of a way used!

 

[Claudiusx]

They do expire, but it takes them more than a couple months. They last at least a year for sure, but you should check the container, it does have an expiration date somewhere. Its hard to find and see but I could barely make out a Feb 11 on my container ( i keep containers for various things lol)

You don't need to worry about D3 toxicity. Like said before, you still need D3 with the uvb bulbs because even though they are good, they aren't the sun. Unless you have a really strong bulb like a mercury vapor bulb, thats when you don't really need to suplement with D3.

-Brandon

 

[Klogue1]

They do expire, but it takes them more than a couple months. They last at least a year for sure, but you should check the container, it does have an expiration date somewhere. Its hard to find and see but I could barely make out a Feb 11 on my container ( i keep containers for various things lol)

You don't need to worry about D3 toxicity. Like said before, you still need D3 with the uvb bulbs because even though they are good, they aren't the sun. Unless you have a really strong bulb like a mercury vapor bulb, thats when you don't really need to suplement with D3.

-Brandon

Hm... ok, I understand now. Thanks everyone!