Is the calcium in the enclosure 100% plain calcium?
This person posted on another forum, and it turns out their gecko is getting 0 vitamin A. The supplement contains only beta carotene
The problem isn't always related to not getting enough Vitamin A by using beta-carotene instead of pre-formed Vitamin A. It could be because of too much Vitamin D, or even unrestricted access to calcium - that self-dosing calcium supply kept in the tank 24/7.
Calcium needs Vitamin D3 to be absorbed, so it's easy enough to make sure there's no excess absorbed by limiting Vitamin D3. However, allowing the gecko access to calcium in the enclosure could very easily cause nutritional deficiencies. Any calcium that doesn't get absorbed will line the intestinal tract, coat it with an impermeable barrier which hinders absorption of other nutrients, vitamins, minerals and even medications. It can also cause dehydration by drawing water from the body into the intestines. You might have noticed medications say not to take them with, or within a specific time, of taking calcium, and to limit dairy products. This is because the calcium can prevent their absorption. Adjusting the vitamin and mineral supplementation won't fix the problem of excess calcium. The only way is to remove the calcium supply from the enclosure and supply the calcium via dusting and gutloading the prey.
The Nutritional Relationships of Vitamin A
David L. Watts, Ph.D., F.A.C.E.P
Vitamins Antagonistic to Vitamin A
Figure 1 (
found in PDF format) indicates the vitamins that are considered to be antagonistic to vitamin A.
Vitamin A may also be considered antagonistic to these vitamins.
Vitamins D and A are often considered synergists and, in a supplement form, are
frequently given in combination. However, vitamin A can be given to reduce the toxic effects
of hypervitaminosis D.
In general the fat soluble vitamins compete for absorption and transport;
therefore, the entire fat soluble family can be considered antagonistic.
The different effects on bone metabolism also indicate vitamin A and D
antagonism. Vitamin D increases the absorption and retention of calcium,while excess vitamin A
causes bone resorption and decalcification.
Hypervitaminosis A
Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include joint pain, decalcification, and fragility of bone.
Increased intracranial pressure produces pseudo brain tumor symptoms. Red blood cells lose
hemoglobin, and bleeding can occur easily. Nervous system symptoms include irritability,
restlessness, fatigue, anorexia, and muscle weakness. Rashes may develop on the skin,
causing dryness and peeling along with hair loss. The lips may also become scaly. The spleen and
liver enlarge and jaundice may develop. Symptoms of toxicity subside with reduced
intake of the vitamin.
Hypervitaminosis A could look an awful lot like Hypovitaminosis D. It's not easy to tell the difference just by looking at the gecko, it's going to need vet intervention to the right diagnosis before it's too late.
Nutrient Interrelationships
Minerals — Vitamins —Endocrines
David L. Watts, D.C., Ph.D., F.A.C.E.P.
Vitamin Antagonisms
Vitamins also have synergistic and antagonistic relationships which are not often considered. The
vitamin wheel in Figure2 depicts some of the known and observed theoretical antagonistic
relationships of vitamins. The antagonism may not be direct but, as a result of excessive intake,
may increase the requirements of other vitamins.
Examples of some of these antagonisms follow:
Vitamin A reduces the toxic effects of vitamin D.
Vitamins A and D are mutually antagonistic.
Theoretical antagonisms are indicated by broken lines. These relationships are based upon their
effects with minerals as determined through TMA research. As an example, vitamin D enhances
hances the absorption of calcium; therefore, excessive intake of vitamin D by increasing
calcium absorption would then produce a decrease in magnesium, potassium or
phosphorus retention, or absorption.
The effects of vitamin A which enhances potassium and phosphorus absorption or retention, would
then be reduced in the presence of high vitamin D intake.
The best thing to do is read the actual PDF, get all the details, including diagrams and tables.
Trace Elements
There is no need to have a supply of calcium in the enclosure, the gecko doesn't need big gobs of it to stay healthy. Compare the size of a vitamin/mineral supplement for humans to the size of the person taking it. That small pill can fully supplement a human body. Why would a tiny gecko need a dose of vitamins and/or minerals big enough for a human?
The idea is to "dust" the prey, not ice the bugs like a cake so they look like moving snowmen.
The only way to properly regulate vitamin and mineral intake, calcium in particular, is to only supply it via gut loading and dusting.
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