Do you use Repashy Calcium Plus

[vangarret2000]

From this site I noticed some are pro repashy calcium plus for chameleons but some don't recommend it. Or at least don't recommend it as often as people use it.

I was wondering who uses it, how often and what are the pros/cons you have found about it?

 

[jsikes88]

plus

I have been using it for a few weeks after the breeder that I got 4 chameleons off recomended it, all my chameleons are healthy and love feeding time. Oh, and even my female panthers are showing strong bold colors, my male vieled is growing faster than before and displaying brighter turquise colors than before (i know sign of maturing)

Recomend it, thumbs up

And it actually doesnt smell that bad either.

 

[Rottsko]

i've been using it w/ all my chams for over a year. i dust all my feeders daily and nothing bad to report.

 

[Ashleigh]

From this site I noticed some are pro repashy calcium plus for chameleons but some don't recommend it. Or at least don't recommend it as often as people use it.

I was wondering who uses it, how often and what are the pros/cons you have found about it?

I use it because the kammers, who i got my little guy from use it, and they've had great results. It's easier to figure out the schedual (just dust all feeders everyday) and my little guy seems like he's doing well with good color

 

[clarkrw3]

Why yes I do
On most feeders everyday I am feeding (which isn't everyday) this is on Panthers and a Veiled. I say most feeders because I don't typically dust silkworms, butterworms, superworms or special things like mantis

The pros/cons I am going to cover the pros and will leave the cons to someone that doesn't like the product.
You get the proper balance of Vit A/Vit D3/Calc in one product so there isn't any guess work. I have had very good success with it since the Kammers announced their support. It has a lower dose D3 than the typical Cal with D3 so the possiblility of overdose is very low in all but Montane species. You never have to worry if your cham is on a hunger strike or getting ready to shed etc and not eating...they will not miss that once or twice you give vit or d3, they have been getting a little everyday.

Ultimately we are trying to give our chams good BALANCED nutrition and there are a number of ways we try to accomplish this. One is giving a varied diet. Two is having a well rounded gutload for feeder insects. And three is supplementing what we are missing in the first two. It only makes sense to offer a balance diet everyday rather than a bolus once or twice a month, I would argue that it is much easier on the chameleons system as well.

 

[ph34r]

i use it as well have had no problems thus far and it smells amazing to >.>

 

[Panthergirl11]

I do! It's so easy! Love it.

 

[maxttu]

My name is Max and I'm a user...

 

[pssh]

I like the product, I just don't personally feel comfortable using it every feeding. Too much D3 and preformed A for me.

 

[clarkrw3]

I like the product, I just don't personally feel comfortable using it every feeding. Too much D3 and preformed A for me.

You might not feel comfortable with it BUT with the sheer number of people using it every feeding without issues it's safe to say it isn't TOO much for NON-montane species.
With that said I don't use it on ALL feeders, crickets, dubia and hornworms get it and nothing else.

The reason I am making a distinction here is that when many "new" people read the statement you made they feel that somehow it isn't "safe" to use. It is safe and you give less D3 then if you used rep cal w/D3 twice a month.

 

[drcrossfire]

You might not feel comfortable with it BUT with the sheer number of people using it every feeding without issues it's safe to say it isn't TOO much for NON-montane species.
With that said I don't use it on ALL feeders, crickets, dubia and hornworms get it and nothing else.

The reason I am making a distinction here is that when many "new" people read the statement you made they feel that somehow it isn't "safe" to use. It is safe and you give less D3 then if you used rep cal w/D3 twice a month.

Do you have facts.. or are you basing this "safety" off of nothing.

Not to be rude or anything, but Has this product been on the market or used wide scale enough to show any adverse affects?....

So, going along with pssh, I dont use this every day. I do use it a couple days a week, but i prefer to rotate it in with regular calcium, miner-all, repcal with d3 and herptivite.

I also rotate though a variety of frozen gutloads I make, dry mixes, and fresh vegetables. I rotate feeders as well....

To me, variety is a key to a healthy chameleon. And this includes supplements. Just my 2 cents!

 

[pssh]

Thanks, thats another thing that im concerned about. It hasnt been around THAT long. My preference is my preference.

Also, many people have kept chameleons without preformed vit A too.

I personally like minerall the most.

Edit: I would also like to point out that people use different amount of supplements to dust with. Plus my repcal has always been more coarse than other supplements. That makes me think that even with the same amounts used per dusting, the actual amounts that stick to bugs might be different.

I also never said anything about its safety.

One more thing, repcal has 400,000 per IU/kg, repashy calcium plus has 20,000 IU/lb (approx 44,000 IU/kg) so using it every feeding (if used every day like on a baby) would actually be more than using repcal twice a month.

 

[thephotoprincess]

I use this and I love it. I use it on all my chams from babies to adults including montane species.

My adults are fed mostly every other day and the Jacksons and melleri only get their bugs dusted weekly.

Also, I gut load using fresh fruits and veggies, cricket crack, dino fuel and repashy bug burger so I feel my bugs are very healthy and I dust lightly for everyone.

One thing I like about it is that my Jackson's would often refuse to eat anything dusted in regular calcium - even very lightly dusted - but take this with no problem.

All my chameleons are healthy and vibrant.

 

[clarkrw3]

Do you have facts.. or are you basing this "safety" off of nothing.

Not to be rude or anything, but Has this product been on the market or used wide scale enough to show any adverse affects?....

So, going along with pssh, I dont use this every day. I do use it a couple days a week, but i prefer to rotate it in with regular calcium, miner-all, repcal with d3 and herptivite.

I also rotate though a variety of frozen gutloads I make, dry mixes, and fresh vegetables. I rotate feeders as well....

To me, variety is a key to a healthy chameleon. And this includes supplements. Just my 2 cents!

I always find it funny when people say "not to be rude" and proceed to be rude anyway.

Actually I am basing it on running the numbers. It's really simple math and all well documented numbers. I have personally spent time talking with long time breeders that have several generations on it now, and discussed the changes or effects they saw in their collections. I have talked with Allen about it and his research with Vit A. I have personally read every publicized document/research on Vit A and chameleons as well as similar lizard species.
In the past I did Medical research and wrote protocols for research methods so doing literature reviews was a large part of my job.

So by shotgunning your chameleons with just about every supplement on the market you feel you are covering your basis? That is not a very scientific way of getting a predictable outcome.

Thanks, thats another thing that im concerned about. It hasnt been around THAT long. My preference is my preference.

Also, many people have kept chameleons without preformed vit A too.

I personally like minerall the most.

Edit: I would also like to point out that people use different amount of supplements to dust with. Plus my repcal has always been more coarse than other supplements. That makes me think that even with the same amounts used per dusting, the actual amounts that stick to bugs might be different.

I also never said anything about its safety.

And I know MANY MANY that have not been successful over multiple generations. Most of those that have been successful have not been using only farmed bugs.
As I have talked with you before, I know of some that think they do and send out chameleons with MBD.

Also you never "said" anything about safety but it was certainly implied which is why I was pointing out that it is safe

I use this and I love it. I use it on all my chams from babies to adults including montane species.

My adults are fed mostly every other day and the Jacksons and melleri only get their bugs dusted weekly.

Also, I gut load using fresh fruits and veggies, cricket crack, dino fuel and repashy bug burger so I feel my bugs are very healthy and I dust lightly for everyone.

One thing I like about it is that my Jackson's would often refuse to eat anything dusted in regular calcium - even very lightly dusted - but take this with no problem.

All my chameleons are healthy and vibrant.

Thanks Karen, I am right there with you

 

[pssh]

It looks like I added a bit about the repcal after you quoted the post.

One more thing, repcal has 400,000 per IU/kg, repashy calcium plus has 20,000 IU/lb (approx 44,000 IU/kg) so using it every feeding (if used every day like on a baby) would actually be more than using repcal twice a month.

 

[clarkrw3]

It looks like I added a bit about the repcal after you quoted the post.

I would have to revisit my numbers. The really important part is the balance of D3 and Vit A. You can have a higher total D3 intake if balanced with Vit A intake which is balanced in the Repashy and is only balanced by chance when using different products that provide each. When you take into account that many sources feel Panthers do not convert Beta Carotene it's even more unlikely to be in good balance. Also when you consider Vit D3 is used as rat poison it really makes it look like giving a bolus of it is unwise.

 

[Allen Repashy]

I just wanted to add a couple things. First, Calcium Plus is NOT a new product. It may have recently been embraced my many Chameleon Specialists, but I have been making and selling it with very little changes, since around 1997.

Chameleon folks can be quite superstitious and a bit "old school" in a lot of ways, so have been one of the most reluctant groups to try something "new"... Calcium Plus has worked it's way through the Bearded Dragon scene, Gecko Scene, Amphibian Scene, and finally on to the Chameleon scene.... It only took 15 years! LOL

When it comes to sensitive species, Frogs like Dendrobates, are like a "Canary in a Coal Mine"..... they are highly sensitive to over/under supplementation, and they can show signs of imbalance very quickly...... in a matter of weeks, vs. months,
(which is typical for most lizards).

I spent a lot of time working with frogs when I was partners with Bob Mailloux in Sandfire Dragon Ranch, who is one of the, or the largest frog breeders in the USA.

Then, after I had confidence, I started putting it out to the Dendrobates breeders, and it has solved a LOT of problems and become the most recommended product in that sector...... So hopefully, in the next few years, confidence will grow equally with the chameleon keepers.

I do not have ANY problem with people being unsure about switching to, or recommending something "new". I am in this for the long haul, and just ask that everyone keep an open mind...... and let the accumulation of feedback weigh the scales over time. I have dedicated more time and effort into researching and developing my products than ANY manufacturer of herp products. It has become more of a passion than keeping and breeding for the last ten years.

I am always looking to forums like this, that have a LOT of knowledge, to learn myself. For instance, I am quite interested to see how the Calcium Plus is working with Montane species because the two year study done by the Kammers, focused on Panthers, which may be different. Based on the feedback I find on this subject, for instance, I might decide to develop a specific formula for them that uses lower nutrient levels in order to make it easier to use with every feeding, rather than once a week.

The drawback I see with this type of feeding is that the vitamins are not being balanced with the nutrients..... IMHO, it is much better to have a constant low dose of vitamins, than having weekly, or bi weekly spikes of it...... proteins, fats, vitamins.... they all have relationships with each other, and not keeping them delivered in a balanced way is one of the big problems I see in supplementation. This is why providing a good, high quality insect diet.... and a varied insect diet.... is so valuable....

Think of it like this..... eat nice healthy, fortified, and balanced meals every day..... or eat fast food all week and then one super meal with tons if vitamins and calcium in it at the end of the week...... Same amount of vitamins taken in in the week...... but which form of delivery will be the healthiest? ......

Anyways.... I am dribbling on a bit much......LOL.

Allen

 

[maxttu]

I just wanted to add a couple things. First, Calcium Plus is NOT a new product. It may have recently been embraced my many Chameleon Specialists, but I have been making and selling it with very little changes, since around 1997.

Chameleon folks can be quite superstitious and a bit "old school" in a lot of ways, so have been one of the most reluctant groups to try something "new"... Calcium Plus has worked it's way through the Bearded Dragon scene, Gecko Scene, Amphibian Scene, and finally on to the Chameleon scene.... It only took 15 years! LOL

When it comes to sensitive species, Frogs like Dendrobates, are like a "Canary in a Coal Mine"..... they are highly sensitive to over/under supplementation, and they can show signs of imbalance very quickly...... in a matter of weeks, vs. months,
(which is typical for most lizards).

I spent a lot of time working with frogs when I was partners with Bob Mailloux in Sandfire Dragon Ranch, who is one of the, or the largest frog breeders in the USA.

Then, after I had confidence, I started putting it out to the Dendrobates breeders, and it has solved a LOT of problems and become the most recommended product in that sector...... So hopefully, in the next few years, confidence will grow equally with the chameleon keepers.

I do not have ANY problem with people being unsure about switching to, or recommending something "new". I am in this for the long haul, and just ask that everyone keep an open mind...... and let the accumulation of feedback weigh the scales over time. I have dedicated more time and effort into researching and developing my products than ANY manufacturer of herp products. It has become more of a passion than keeping and breeding for the last ten years.

I am always looking to forums like this, that have a LOT of knowledge, to learn myself. For instance, I am quite interested to see how the Calcium Plus is working with Montane species because the two year study done by the Kammers, focused on Panthers, which may be different. Based on the feedback I find on this subject, for instance, I might decide to develop a specific formula for them that uses lower nutrient levels in order to make it easier to use with every feeding, rather than once a week.

The drawback I see with this type of feeding is that the vitamins are not being balanced with the nutrients..... IMHO, it is much better to have a constant low dose of vitamins, than having weekly, or bi weekly spikes of it...... proteins, fats, vitamins.... they all have relationships with each other, and not keeping them delivered in a balanced way is one of the big problems I see in supplementation. This is why providing a good, high quality insect diet.... and a varied insect diet.... is so valuable....

Think of it like this..... eat nice healthy, fortified, and balanced meals every day..... or eat fast food all week and then one super meal with tons if vitamins and calcium in it at the end of the week...... Same amount of vitamins taken in in the week...... but which form of delivery will be the healthiest? ......

Anyways.... I am dribbling on a bit much......LOL.

Allen

Awesome response, sir. I applaud your efforts! I've used your product for approx 6 months and I am thoroughly satisfied! Thank you!

 

[drcrossfire]

Allen Repashy~
Always enjoy reading your posts! I respect the amount of time and energy you put into your products, which is why I use many of them!!

Clark-
All I was trying to say was that to say this is the only route and hasn't been in the chameleon community and documented clearly. I don't just "shotgun" my reptiles, I have a schedule which I feel has worked for me. Some weeks I get my chameleons outside more, so I wont use D3 products. Sometimes I want to cycle in vit A, or minerals, etc... As this product wasn't made specifically for chameleon keepers, it could be off in some ways.


Not saying it's not a good product! I use it often--- Just saying there isn't long term studies on the effect on health and nutrition of chameleons. With some monitoring, we should know in a couple generation of chameleons how it fares~

 

[Zubi]

OH DAMN.............WE GOT ALLEN REPASHY IN HERE. I have been using it for the past three months and my boy has been growing like a weed