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 #1506816


Breawna
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 Is UVB totally ESSENTIAL???

Is UVB ESSENTIAL??? Will they die without it or can they just have vitamin D and calcium supplements instead of UVB bulbs...???
11/08/07  10:12pm

 #1606416


Xcx
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   Message To: Breawna   In reference to Message Id: 1506816


 Is UVB totally ESSENTIAL???

GET UVb



02/02/08  06:31pm

 #1607913


Mattsass
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   Message To: Breawna   In reference to Message Id: 1506816


 Is UVB totally ESSENTIAL???

without UVB they can develop metabolic bone disease so at the very least take the lizard out side 20-30mins a day or go the easier route and buy a UVB bulb
02/03/08  05:08pm

 #1610180


Aliceinwl
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   Message To: Mattsass   In reference to Message Id: 1607913


 Is UVB totally ESSENTIAL???

I’ve successfully raised both E. multicarinata and E. kingii from hatchling to adult without UVB with no metabolic bone disease (MBD). Good gutloading and supplementation at every feeding with a phosphorus free calcium supplement with vitamin D3 ( I use rep-cal) is essential if you choose to go this route.

Most people I’ve encountered who try to raise / keep them without UVB, are not sufficiently diligent when it comes to gutloading and supplementing. I’ve seen a lot of alligator lizards with severe MBD. If you go this route, you owe it to the lizard to put in the extra work of making sure that ALL feeders are appropriately gutloaded and supplemented (you need to make sure you only feed what your lizard can eat in a sitting so that there are no undusted, skinny crickets roaming the cage at night for your lizard to fill up on).

The lizard should also be carefully observed while eating on a weekly basis, so that you can detect MBD early if it should develop. Early symptoms are usually characterized by jaw weakness. The lizard may strike and repeatedly miss the prey item (it’s difficult to see because it happens very quickly, but the lizard often actually hits the prey item on the first try, but can’t grasp it and the subsequent strikes land further from the mark). Once the lizard has the prey item, it may appear to have trouble holding onto it, the feeder will appear to be slipping out of its mouth. If you catch it before it progresses beyond the above symptoms, it’s completely reversible.

In advanced cases, the long bones of the forelimbs will bend, the lower jaw may sag slightly and will yield to gentle pressure, and the rib cage will bow outward. The above skeletal deformities are permanent. The lizard may also start to manifest rapid weight loss due to inability to eat and become apathetic towards food.

If you see symptoms, add UVB immediately (if using flourescents, the bulb needs to be placed so that it’s within 10 inches of the lizard to be effective) and make sure all food items are very generously dusted. Even in mild cases, it may be necessary to feed by hand for a couple of weeks until the jaw re-calcifies.



02/04/08  11:27pm


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