Originally Posted by
tupinambis
The one last thing I have to add is only a suggestion and I have no real hard evidence to back it up. By far the most common source of calcium in reptile supplements is from crushed oyster shell. I have no actual research to back it up, but I have heard rumour that the calcium matrix of oyster shell may not be as readily absorbable as other forms. After all, an oyster shell is designed to NOT dissolve in an environment known to rapidly leech calcium from sources. A far better source, and one that I'm sure tegus can easily absorb, is bone meal. I no longer remember the names of the products, but I do remember having found two reptile supplements from which the calcium source was bone meal (interestingly enough, they weren't the usual highly regarded products either).
OMG!! You agreed with Bobby!! :wink: We use ZooMed calcium, made from calcium carbonate, not crushed shells.
Originally Posted by
tupinambis
As for why one tegu seems really bad and another fine, that's one of the difficulties of being a biological entity. One tegus' health may be better than the other's because it has more efficient kidneys, or better bloodflow through the liver...there are so many variables.
Definitely a consideration. Our male Blue Tegu is prone to impaction, due to his stupidity of eating his substrate and not basking or drinking enough. We provide the heat & water but you can't force him to use it.
I hope the little guy pulls through. Liquid calcium and some good UVB should make a noticeable improvement in a couple of days.
1.1 Blue Tegus, 1.1 Cuban Rock Iguanas
1.1 Bearded Dragons, 0.1 Veiled Chameleon
0.1 Columbian Boa, 1.0 Ball Python, 0.0.1 Corn
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