Do you use Repashy Calcium Plus

[clarkrw3]

Clark-

Not saying it's not a good product! I use it often--- Just saying there isn't long term studies on the effect on health and nutrition of chameleons. With some monitoring, we should know in a couple generation of chameleons how it fares~

I get your point, however, I would call the "study" done over multiple generations by the Kammers as a good start

 

[drcrossfire]

I get your point, however, I would call the "study" done over multiple generations by the Kammers as a good start

Depends on Sample Size/Species/diet/UV exposure/ambient temps and how all these and other variables are controlled~ Is there a control group and sample group.. etc

I'd love to see all this hashed out!

good start -- but there's sooo many variables with chams! Makes it hard to know for certain with our lovely little critters

 

[Jesone]

I'm interested in this debate but an aspect that hasn't been considered so far here is the impact of the UVB lighting used within the enclosure. Now that high output tubes are available and being used shouldn't this decrease the amount of D3 that needs to be supplied by supplements? And if so, by how much?
I would add that I am a Repashy user right now.

 

[MerCham]

Very happy to see this discussion going on. I'm expecting my first cham soon and the breeder certainly recommends Repashy Calcium Plus, but reading some of the posts on this forum can be confusing. This whole thread has been enlightening. I feel much better after reading the results folks are having using the product.

 

[oldskoolmodder]

I get your point, however, I would call the "study" done over multiple generations by the Kammers as a good start

Clark, I would love to see some ACTUAL paperwork or statistics on this "study" done by Kammers. I don't doubt they have used the product, I just don't think you can call it a "study" unless there are some hard numbers.

Other then that I think that I'll be switching from my current type of calcium product to this, I do like what I have seen personally from animals on a Repashy diet.

 

[camimom]

I just wanted to add a couple things. First, Calcium Plus is NOT a new product. It may have recently been embraced my many Chameleon Specialists, but I have been making and selling it with very little changes, since around 1997.

Chameleon folks can be quite superstitious and a bit "old school" in a lot of ways, so have been one of the most reluctant groups to try something "new"... Calcium Plus has worked it's way through the Bearded Dragon scene, Gecko Scene, Amphibian Scene, and finally on to the Chameleon scene.... It only took 15 years! LOL

When it comes to sensitive species, Frogs like Dendrobates, are like a "Canary in a Coal Mine"..... they are highly sensitive to over/under supplementation, and they can show signs of imbalance very quickly...... in a matter of weeks, vs. months,
(which is typical for most lizards).

I spent a lot of time working with frogs when I was partners with Bob Mailloux in Sandfire Dragon Ranch, who is one of the, or the largest frog breeders in the USA.

Then, after I had confidence, I started putting it out to the Dendrobates breeders, and it has solved a LOT of problems and become the most recommended product in that sector...... So hopefully, in the next few years, confidence will grow equally with the chameleon keepers.

I do not have ANY problem with people being unsure about switching to, or recommending something "new". I am in this for the long haul, and just ask that everyone keep an open mind...... and let the accumulation of feedback weigh the scales over time. I have dedicated more time and effort into researching and developing my products than ANY manufacturer of herp products. It has become more of a passion than keeping and breeding for the last ten years.

I am always looking to forums like this, that have a LOT of knowledge, to learn myself. For instance, I am quite interested to see how the Calcium Plus is working with Montane species because the two year study done by the Kammers, focused on Panthers, which may be different. Based on the feedback I find on this subject, for instance, I might decide to develop a specific formula for them that uses lower nutrient levels in order to make it easier to use with every feeding, rather than once a week.

The drawback I see with this type of feeding is that the vitamins are not being balanced with the nutrients..... IMHO, it is much better to have a constant low dose of vitamins, than having weekly, or bi weekly spikes of it...... proteins, fats, vitamins.... they all have relationships with each other, and not keeping them delivered in a balanced way is one of the big problems I see in supplementation. This is why providing a good, high quality insect diet.... and a varied insect diet.... is so valuable....

Think of it like this..... eat nice healthy, fortified, and balanced meals every day..... or eat fast food all week and then one super meal with tons if vitamins and calcium in it at the end of the week...... Same amount of vitamins taken in in the week...... but which form of delivery will be the healthiest? ......

Anyways.... I am dribbling on a bit much......LOL.

Allen

Just like to say, great response!

I have used your product since October 2011, and could not be happier.

my male veiled had a tongue aiming issue, and even with the 'normal' supplements used, he had a problem.
After 2 months of using repashy cal on my bugs, his tongue got better, he got brighter, and he put on over 30 grams in weight!

I would also like to say, that I use your product on my montane species.

I keep hoehnellis, and since, they like jacksons, are sensitive to over supplementation, I only dust their bugs once a week. So far, everyone is doing quite well.

I will say that another member used it twice a week on her female hoehnelli, and she developed edema. but after stopping supplements for a month, and then only dusting once a week.. the edema resolved and has not returned.

If you created a product designed for montane species, I would be more than happy to try it out!

 

[pssh]

Allen - It's nice to hear from the person who actually made it. I really respect the amount of work you have put in to helping the hobby. I really do like your product, but I am just not comfortable using it as often as some of the people here do.

 

[clarkrw3]

Clark, I would love to see some ACTUAL paperwork or statistics on this "study" done by Kammers. I don't doubt they have used the product, I just don't think you can call it a "study" unless there are some hard numbers.

Other then that I think that I'll be switching from my current type of calcium product to this, I do like what I have seen personally from animals on a Repashy diet.

I said "study" because it was done by a breeder and was not a scientific study. If you are looking for numbers statistics etc you are dreaming. I am quite positive NO breeder, not even the Kammers, would ever publish such data even if they had it. They are small business owners and have their hands full just running the operation and going to shows.

So you are right it wasn't a study it was a "study" and honestly it's as close as you are going to get