For the sake of reference I would like to clarify that I "dust" my Leos food
about every 5-7 days or every third feeding. I presume that my hyper
calcification is a result of the substrate because the offspring I hatched
pervious to switching from paper towels to calcium powder substrate
(basically precipitated calcium carbonate) were fine, and they were
receiving supplementation every other feeding or about every 4-5 days.
Does anybody else run into problems using this sort of bedding?...and I
guess I'd like to take a poll of what substrates are being used by Leo
breeders that produce more that 50 Leo babies annually.
Finally, does anybody suspect that I may run into similar problems keeping
juveniles on precipitated calcium carbonate and dusting twice per week? (I
usually feed my Leo juveniles about 6 times per week.)
I will start photographing my Leo offspring and more formally documenting
any changes in care over the next few months since it sounds like this is
relevant information for new Leo breeders such as myself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Josh Klavir
Director of Consumer Relations
Zoo Med Laboratories
(805) 542-9988
-----Original Message-----
From: Hilde [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 2:54 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Gecko] Supplementation
Josh Klavir wrote:
>
> I also learned a bit about my Leos that were hatching with eye problems. I
> received some advice that it is not linked directly to hypovitaminosis A,
> but is actually hyper calcification which inhibits the systems ability to
> assimilate vitamin A. The lack of vitamin A results in eye problems, but
the
> hyper calcification also leads to offspring that are smaller overall, have
> shortened tails, and sometimes have a loose flap of skin under their
chins.
Now this could get to be very interesting. I 'hang around' several online
forums, and
you wouldn't believe how many people report these same physical problems
with their
leos. They're also the same ones who either advocate, or listen to those who
preach
dusting each and every food item that goes inside the gecko from the first
meal, and
almost 'icing' the prey with calcium for young geckos and breeding females.
Mind you, these are just my observations from forums, and not much
scientific
evidence, but at a glance, it sure fits what you've reported.
I would love to see more discussion and info on this. Thanks for posting.
Hilde
--
~*~***~*~
If Star Trek had truly been realistic about the future,
Captain Kirk would have been receiving
"MAKE $$$ WORKING AT HOME!!!" messages over his flip-top communicator.
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