natural sun exposure vs. supplimenting calcium d-3

[lisagr07]

hey ,,

just another question that came to mind after reading a related thread and i didn't want to hijack it...

if your chameleon gets "outside time" does that mean that you should cut back on the calcium with d-3? (calcium d-3 twice a month)..

from what i'm understanding too much can cause kidney failure...

if this is correct,, what is "enough" "outside time" that you would cut back on that supplementation?
..... or am i over thinking it???

thanks,, lisa

 

[jannb]

Both of my chams get outside time but I still lightly dust with calcium with D3 twice a month. Here in FL they get at least several hours a week outside.

 

[lisagr07]

Both of my chams get outside time but I still lightly dust with calcium with D3 twice a month. Here in FL they get at least several hours a week outside.

thanks Jann,
i was presuming that even with a few hours of natural sunlight a week, the supplimentation was still in order... but i thought i'd inquire... lisa

 

[Zen Reptiles]

From what I understand, you can't overdose on vitamin d3, and the kidney failure would be due to oversupplementing with calcium and/or multivitamin in the first place.

Even with UVB lights and outdoor exposure in the summer, I still use d3 at every calcium dusting.

 

[gpmo]

"Acute hypercalcemia (i.e., from acute vitamin D3 overdose) can result in calcification of the kidney"

Gpmo (him)

 

[chamili]

I have 6month old male veiled and i give him c w/d3 2 times a week . and wo/d3 every other feeding .

 

[Elizadolots]

Okay...the way I understand it: D3 helps in the absorption of calcium supplements and has nothing to do with the calcium the body metabolizes from exposure to the sun.

So, they are sort of 2 different things. The danger with an over abundance of D3 is that it interferes with the body's ability to process other vitamins, specifically vitamin A which is important on a lot of levels (most notably vision).

This is why it's recommended we gut load our feeders with calcium rich foods: calcium that's ingested naturally is equal to calcium produced by sun exposure, it does not need D-3 to be absorbed.

At this point, I'd like to suggest that we wait for a moderator or known expert (Kinyonga, Sandrachameleon and Julirs jump to mind) to advise on this issue because lots of contradictory information is being put out and I don't know if we help each other with that.

Jannb, you kind of posted before the theorizing began. I consider you very, very learned with regards to chameleons, so if you could chime in on the D3 issue, it would be very helpful.

 

[Cham101]

i was told

I wa told from an experienced breeder that supplementing d3 then putting them in the sun for extended periods of time if done together can cause kidney failure and death. I am not sure of the levels but they will puke up a milky substance if this happens.. then kidney failure, them death

 

[gpmo]

I was going to link a bunch of sites showing the research and effects of D3, but i figured its alot of work at this time of day. Do a simple google search for D3 overdose and you will find tons of links.

Also i just got a wonderful lecture from my better half about over supplementing. Now i deserved the lecture cause i asked but i didn't understand half the words. She being a student in Vet school atm thinks i learned the large words by osmosis...

Anyhow i think its safe to say that D3 can overdose and cause calcification of the kidneys and is something to be wary of.

Gpmo (him)

 

[gpmo]

I forgot to mention i am rather curious about the OP original question and hope someone has that answer.

Gpmo (him)

 

[SpinyFranky]

being no expert.... so please do not take anything I say as "fact"

but I have heard of over use of D3 leading to calcification and interruptions of normal absorption of vit A and calcium.

I would say that, the a chameleon getting about ten hours of natural sun light a week..... would not really have need for D3 supplementation.

One hour of sunlight is so beneficial for them, especially compared to the UVB bulbs commercially used.

However for my learning purposes I would like to see Kin or Julirs or Chris take a stab at it, they always have great information to share.

 

[xanthoman]

http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2008/03/chat-with-dr-gary-w-ferguson.html http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/docs/chameleons-regulate-endogenous-vitamin-D3.pdf

 

[kinyonga]

Eliza said..."calcium that's ingested naturally is equal to calcium produced by sun exposure"...calcium is not produced through exposure to the sun's UVB vitamin D3 is...which enables the calcium in the chameleon's system to be used.

SpinyFranky...there is a relationship between D3 and vitamin A...
http://web.archive.org/web/20060502...rnals.com/vet/index.php?show=5.Vitamin.A.html

 

[Elizadolots]

Oh, duh...thanks Kinyonga.