UVB & Vitamin D3: Important New Information

[frank indiviglio]

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist, and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.
We’ve long known that many reptiles need Ultra Violet B (UVB) light exposure in order to manufacture Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3, which is essential for proper calcium uptake, is also present in many foods, and some reptiles can utilize it in this form. However, there are some gray areas. It seems that reptiles long considered incapable of using dietary D3 (and which therefore need UVB light exposure), can sometimes obtain D3 from their diet (please see chameleon and day gecko articles linked below). Generalizations can be misleading – for example, the study summarized below shows that two anole species sharing the same habitat obtain D3 in very different ways. Read the rest of this article here Vitamin D3, UVB and Pet Reptiles: New Information | That Reptile Blog
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank

 

[Koné]

My leachianus's eye got heavily clouded from (what we found out later) was a over exposure to UVB... I had his UVB light on about 12 hours a day, every day! That's way too much! Now he gets 7 hours a week. Just wanted to let you know!

 

[frank indiviglio]

My leachianus's eye got heavily clouded from (what we found out later) was a over exposure to UVB... I had his UVB light on about 12 hours a day, every day! That's way too much! Now he gets 7 hours a week. Just wanted to let you know!

Hello,

Thanks for forwarding that information; very important for us to have first-hand observations, I have seen similar problems in other nocturnal lizards and frogs. R. leachianus can use dietary Vit. De, and so do not need exposure to UVB; their eyes may be especially sensitive, as during the day they would normally be under cover, and not exposed to the sun. Some folks provide low levels of UVB as "insurance". I have not found this to be necessary, but if you wish to go that route you can use Zoo Med's or a similar low output bulb.

Please keep me posted on the animal's condition...I've seen some healing in wood frogs, but other species seem to remain scarred.

I hope all goes well, best regards, Frank

 

[Koné]

I have the original thread that helped my discover and self diagnose the problem of over exposure to UVB, it was given to me by another user on the pangea forum. We went to a vet to get it checked out before we knew the problem, and he prescribed a "GentamicinSulfate 0.3% OphthOint"ointment that was to be applied to the eye 3 times a day, for a week, it was to lubricate and prevent infection, and it definatly did what expected, I was very relieved to know it wouldn't get any worse. It is all better now and he is happy, and eating again! It hasn't left any scaring. If there is any other info you would like, please let me know! Here's the link, you kinda need to read the full thing. Strange Mouth Gaping - Gecko Resource Forums

 

[cricket4u]

I could not find it in me to read past the first page to be honest. Perhaps this will be helpful. Lighting Guide : Arcadia Reptile

http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/files/2013/01/004_PRK_Mar13.pdf

This is very important below:

The information that we have gleaned is recommended for enclosures that have enough space and well thought out decoration so that the animal or animals can self regulate between full noon type exposure and complete shade.

The use of a solar meter is in our mind a very powerful tool in ensuring that your animals receive the exposure to UVB that they would be exposed to in the wild. The Solar meter 6.2 is a good guide as to the level of UVB and will also show the relative decay of a lamp over time.


Post#13
I have to admit, my 1.5yrs with her, I haven't had her in perfect conditions,= bumpy road

Post#27
Hey Guys, First of all thanks for your opinions. This all started without any heat or light

Post #31

" The eyes started turning white before the UV bulb was ever introduced and the UV bulb was as a result to me trying to correct things."

 

[frank indiviglio]

I could not find it in me to read past the first page to be honest. Perhaps this will be helpful. Lighting Guide : Arcadia Reptile

http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/files/2013/01/004_PRK_Mar13.pdf

This is very important below:

The information that we have gleaned is recommended for enclosures that have enough space and well thought out decoration so that the animal or animals can self regulate between full noon type exposure and complete shade.

The use of a solar meter is in our mind a very powerful tool in ensuring that your animals receive the exposure to UVB that they would be exposed to in the wild. The Solar meter 6.2 is a good guide as to the level of UVB and will also show the relative decay of a lamp over time.

There is only one page; the study is an important one, and the information is accurate, Frank