Calcium confusion

[ChristinaM]

There are sooo many diffrent types of calcium.
I can NOT find calcium glubionate. (which was recommended for my iggy)

I did buy a calcium liquid.
It is:

each tsp contains
calcium gluconate 540mg
calcium lactate 385mg
providing 100mg of elemental calcium.

There are dosages on it for infants, children, adults.


Would this work for my very gravid, not eating Larry?
If not, could someone explain to me why not?
As well, can anyone explain the diffrent types of calcium?
Which are safe on reptiles and which are definate NO NO's?

Thanks, Chris

[eyespy]

Calcium citrate is the only form not generally recommended for reptiles because of its higher acid content but many keepers use it without reporting problems. There is the potential that the acid will allow the calcium to bind more easily with other minerals and form kidney or bladder stones. For that same reason calcium should not be mixed with high acid foods.

Liquid vitamins in a heavy syrup base are the most easily absorbed of all the dietary supplements as the sugars promote salivation which helps to break the chemical bonds that bind the calcium to the other molecule in the pair.

Both calcium gluconate and glubionate come in liquid form and are absorbed and used very well. Discard it should the mixture become cloudy as that's a sign of bacteria thriving on the sugar. As far as I know, either form is about as effective as the other.

As far as the powdered supplements go, each manufacturer will tell you why calcium carbonate or lactate or what have you is more readily absorbed but the simple truth is a bit of stomach acid and spit breaks any of the chemical bonds fairly well. So if your animal is warm and healthy enough to have a good metabolic rate it probably doesn't make all that much difference which form you choose. In Larry's case since she isn't eating a liquid is going to work better. Powders are absorbed more effectively when given with food.

[ChristinaM]

Is there any way to figure out the correct dosage of what I have for her? She weighs 3.3lbs.
The infants under 2yrs dosage is 2.5mL 3 times daily.

Thank you sooooo much

[eyespy]

Unfortunately, we don't even know the "correct" dosage for humans, let alone reptiles. Your vet should have a better idea after drawing serum calcium levels. It's tough to overdose juvies as they are still using so much calcium to grow new bone tissue but you need to be more careful with adults. Too much calcium can be worse than not enough as it can calcify internal organs.

Most herps get a daily dosage of liquid calcium only if there is active MBD and just once weekly if serum levels are okay or borderline.

[ChristinaM]

My female iguana, Larry, is very heavily gravid. Had her at the vet on Friday. He's a good vet, but NOT a herp specialist. He was not sure on the dosage. Recommended getting the stuff for herps and following the dosage on it. :( Nothing against my vet at all, he's awesome, admits when he doesn't know the answer and will try to look it up.

Larry, has a problem in her one leg as well, it was previously broken and I'm assuming no vet care for it as it's an old break so it came at her first owners. The bone on xray first looked like MBD, but I brought in the vet history from the rescuers I adopted her from and its the same leg that was broken. So we don't think she has MBD, just something in that leg. Other than that, she's fine(her bones look great).

So that's the story behind my questions. Hope it helps. Thank you very much.