Calcium w/out D3

[Lil' Tortie]

I use Zoo Med's Reptivite's calcium sup without D3. Is this ok for my sulcatas and leopards? Or should I use 'with D3'?

LT

 

[Chucky]

If I'm not wrong, I believe D3 is obtained through the sunlight so if they are outside a lot, I would say it's ok. If they are inside, then I would get the calcium with D3.

 

[Isa]

My Hermann lives inside but she goes outside a bit when it is sunny and warm. My vet told me to give her calcium and D3 because she does not spend too much time outside.

Isa

 

[Lil' Tortie]

Since the indoor enclosure is right at the eastside window, my torts have the benefit of all the morning sunrays. When the sun comes up, they bask themselves where the rays shine in. In addition, I take them outside after I come home from work, when there's still some sunshine left. This is a daily routine. Do you think that's enough UV for a day?

 

[chelonologist]

Since the indoor enclosure is right at the eastside window, my torts have the benefit of all the morning sunrays. When the sun comes up, they bask themselves where the rays shine in. In addition, I take them outside after I come home from work, when there's still some sunshine left. This is a daily routine. Do you think that's enough UV for a day?

I believe I've read that a significant amount of UV light is filtered by window glass. So although the light comes through the window and the tortoises get the benefit of basking in the light, they're not receiving the essential UV rays they need to produce Vitamin D.

Has anyone else heard this?

 

[Crazy1]

Chelonologis and Lil' Tortie, It is true, most of the UVB is filtered out if it goes though glass or regular window screen. But if you are getting your tort outside daily or have a uvb bulb then I would say be careful of using calcium with D3. Too much D3 is just as bad as too little.

 

[Yvonne G]

Since the indoor enclosure is right at the eastside window, my torts have the benefit of all the morning sunrays. When the sun comes up, they bask themselves where the rays shine in. In addition, I take them outside after I come home from work, when there's still some sunshine left. This is a daily routine. Do you think that's enough UV for a day?

The only benefit from the sun through a window is warmth. The window successfully blocks any rays that hit it, and they bounce right off.

Yvonne

 

[Chucky]

Correct on windows filtering UV. I got a meter over a month ago and tested it out. I went outside first and pointed the meter at the sun and got a reading of 328 and then went inside to where the sun was coming through the window and got a reading of 8. Now I have dual-paned windows so that may even filter out more than a regular window but 8 is not enough to do any good.

 

[Lil' Tortie]

And all the while I thought I had it made... Thanks, guys! That's very helpful.

 

[jasso2]

too much d3 is bad crazy1? i have all my torts outside and now and i give them cal with d3