who said anything about dying? /more

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Posted by Ig Chick on February 08, 2001 at 23:58:49:

In Reply to: Re: no and here's why /more posted by Travis on February 08, 2001 at 17:47:46:

I never even so much alluded to the fact that commercial food could lead to death. Infact, I use a well known and respected dry commercial food as a supplement once or twice a week to the fresh food we feed. What I did say was that when you can make something similar that you know for a fact is better to feed, why not go that route. Also, I did make a valid point about there not being any guidelines set forth for the labeling of iguana food and products. Just trying to educate a little and get people to think for themselves vs. believeing everything the pet trade has to offer in the way of info.

Just an FYI for those who don't know... over supplementing TUMS can lead to seizures in an iguana. Personally we use TUMS (fruit flavored) as a supplement for our gravid female and when we are rehabbing an ig. However, we use it as a supplement not as a staple. Your primary source for calcium should come from foods and proper UV exposure, not a pill, powder or liquid. I found out about TUMS causing seizures from a well respected vet around here when he was giving a lecture a few months ago. He had a client who was feeding 3-4 crushed up TUMS in her iguana's food every day. The vet I am speaking of does not suggest the use of TUMS for this reason (ie -people assuming that if one pill is good, three is better). When I questioned our personal vet about this issue, he said that as long as we are supplementing and not trying to use the TUMS as the main source of calcium we would be fine.

The ratio we use is one crushed TUMS per one measured cup of food once a week, twice a week if tested blood levels come back low. IMHO The key to proper supplementation is to have blood work done before you start so you know exactly what you are dealing with.

Ig Chick

The Iguana Spot

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Oic Travis 02/11/01 (1)
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: I never even so much alluded to the fact that commercial food could lead to death. Infact, I use a well known and respected dry commercial food as a supplement once or twice a week to the fresh food we feed. What I did say was that when you can make something similar that you know for a fact is better to feed, why not go that route. Also, I did make a valid point about there not being any guidelines set forth for the labeling of iguana food and products. Just trying to educate a little and get people to think for themselves vs. believeing everything the pet trade has to offer in the way of info. : Just an FYI for those who don't know... over supplementing TUMS can lead to seizures in an iguana. Personally we use TUMS (fruit flavored) as a supplement for our gravid female and when we are rehabbing an ig. However, we use it as a supplement not as a staple. Your primary source for calcium should come from foods and proper UV exposure, not a pill, powder or liquid. I found out about TUMS causing seizures from a well respected vet around here when he was giving a lecture a few months ago. He had a client who was feeding 3-4 crushed up TUMS in her iguana's food every day. The vet I am speaking of does not suggest the use of TUMS for this reason (ie -people assuming that if one pill is good, three is better). When I questioned our personal vet about this issue, he said that as long as we are supplementing and not trying to use the TUMS as the main source of calcium we would be fine. : The ratio we use is one crushed TUMS per one measured cup of food once a week, twice a week if tested blood levels come back low. IMHO The key to proper supplementation is to have blood work done before you start so you know exactly what you are dealing with. : Ig Chick

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