Seeking expert opinion on Reptaid

As far as an expert scientific proven answer to your question, I'm not aware that it exists. As stated previous, I don't believe there have been enough documented trials published/performed to state what Reptaid is "proven effective for" as approved by the FDA. Does this mean it's not an effective product? No. Are there adverse effects? Potentially. But then again, how many deaths are caused by FDA regulated medications/drugs each year???? There is always a risk involved in administering any medication/drug, even in the correct dosage. Hopefully it is an educated calculated risk, and for some it will be beneficial.
 
:mad: Is it me or did this thread just start out wrong? "Not to start a war over reptaid," . With any herbal or FDA approved remedies/meds, there will always be controversy. If you've studied up on it and it's not for you, then don't use it. If you have studied up on it, have an open mind and it makes sense to you, then use it. No one is right or wrong, it is a personal choice. Stop these bickering threads, there a waste of time.:rolleyes:
 
As far as an expert scientific proven answer to your question, I'm not aware that it exists. As stated previous, I don't believe there have been enough documented trials published/performed to state what Reptaid is "proven effective for" as approved by the FDA. Does this mean it's not an effective product? No. Are there adverse effects? Potentially. But then again, how many deaths are caused by FDA regulated medications/drugs each year???? There is always a risk involved in administering any medication/drug, even in the correct dosage. Hopefully it is an educated calculated risk, and for some it will be beneficial.

Despite that being your 666th post...:rolleyes:...very well said.

I heard that the FDA is beyond overburdened and stretched thin. With resources very limited and a shrinking budget, I bet we're going to see some pretty scary products on the market. I'm talking about the market for products intended for human consumption, of course. Consumer Report's just did an interesting bit on supplements/vitamins that was pretty interesting. One of the sad things about government agencies such as the FDA is that they are ...government. Oops, now I've done it.:eek:
 
:mad: Is it me or did this thread just start out wrong? "Not to start a war over reptaid," . With any herbal or FDA approved remedies/meds, there will always be controversy. If you've studied up on it and it's not for you, then don't use it. If you have studied up on it, have an open mind and it makes sense to you, then use it. No one is right or wrong, it is a personal choice. Stop these bickering threads, there a waste of time.:rolleyes:

Sorry if you disagree with me, but I think there are some people on here with a scientific background. My one chemistry class does not quite equip me to understand the biochemical reactions that take place when you ingest particular chemicals (natural or not). I can "study up" all I like but it would take years for my opinion to be near as valuable as an accomplished scientist/biochemist/vet. So, because of that, I have to disagree with you when you say "No one is right or wrong, it is a personal choice."

Sorry again if that seems a waste of time to you. :rolleyes:
 
As far as an expert scientific proven answer to your question, I'm not aware that it exists. As stated previous, I don't believe there have been enough documented trials published/performed to state what Reptaid is "proven effective for" as approved by the FDA. Does this mean it's not an effective product? No. Are there adverse effects? Potentially. But then again, how many deaths are caused by FDA regulated medications/drugs each year???? There is always a risk involved in administering any medication/drug, even in the correct dosage. Hopefully it is an educated calculated risk, and for some it will be beneficial.

This is why I asked.

As far as the risk, let's not equivocate. I think that a "calculated risk" is just that, calculated. If there is not data, how can one calculate?
 
This is why I asked.

As far as the risk, let's not equivocate. I think that a "calculated risk" is just that, calculated. If there is not data, how can one calculate?

I get what you are saying. It's a catch 22 no matter how you look at it. We are, for a lack of better words, a clinical trial in itself and those who have used it are for the most part great about posting results. It may be awhile before any substantial information is published and the various uses for it can be solidified. I myself have used it, but it ended up not being a condition anything short of a bowel resection could have cured. So I can't even give a useful opinion. It is hard to say what any outcome will be, unfortunately, even if it is approved. What works for one animal/condition, may not work for the exact same condition in another animal. It is the same with humans. Even in this technologically advanced pharmaceutical world, we still kill people with the basics of medications/drugs. If you are the 0.01% to be the unlucky one for a side effect, you're gonna get it no matter how many trials were done.

To answer the last part of the question, calculation can be done in a number of ways, with scientific data being one. Others will be polling people who have used the product. I for one, wouldn't use a product just because it is FDA approved. If there is another product available that to me seems safer and more effective, I'm gonna use that. I also study what products are made of and I am pretty well versed in potential side effects and risk of most medications. This becomes the most substantial weight of my decision. The ultimate decision will have to be made by the person looking to give the product. If you are not comfortable, don't do it. If you feel confident in the ingredients, and the benefits outweigh the risks for you then give it.
 
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I get what you are saying. It's a catch 22 no matter how you look at it. We are, for a lack of better words, a clinical trial in itself and those who have used it are for the most part great about posting results. It may be awhile before any substantial information is published and the various uses for it can be solidified. I myself have used it, but it ended up not being a condition anything short of a bowel resection could have cured. So I can't even give a useful opinion. It is hard to say what any outcome will be, unfortunately, even if it is approved. What works for one animal/condition, may not work for the exact same condition in another animal. It is the same with humans. Even in this technologically advanced pharmaceutical world, we still kill people with the basics of medications/drugs. If you are the 0.01% to be the unlucky one for a side effect, you're gonna get it no matter how many trials were done.

To answer the last part of the question, calculation can be done in a number of ways, with scientific data being one. Others will be polling people who have used the product. I for one, wouldn't use a product just because it is FDA approved. If there is another product available that to me seems safer and more effective, I'm gonna use that. I also study what products are made of and I am pretty well versed in potential side effects and risk of most medications. This becomes the most substantial weight of my decision. The ultimate decision will have to be made by the person looking to give the product. If you are not comfortable, don't do it. If you feel confident in the ingredients, and the benefits outweigh the risks for you then give it.

I just recently did a research project on the FDA approval process (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/default.htm), so I can tell you there is a long process of checks and tests. While I would not say that it's failproof, I would say that it's a pretty good indication that a drug is safe. It somewhat bothers me is that there is generally an assumption of safety when "natural" products are used in a supplement, and they are not always safe. There are plenty of naturally occuring substances that are known to be lethal in small quantities, and there is a big difference between a .01% and .000001% catastrophic side effect rate.

I guess without knowing these rates, the information I would be most interested in is the risks/benefits of each of the ingredients, and how and why they work. Mostly this is just because I'm annoying and like to get on people's nerves. :p
 
Don't read too far into this next synapses!! But, (haha) I've been working hands on in the medical field for almost 13 years. I'll tell you from experience, that some of the drugs/medications and dosages approved by the FDA that we administer or some cases, supposed to administer, will curl your toes. I agree that the FDA approval is a grueling process and that they do the best they can. It would be catastrophic with out them.
I too agree with the statement that a lot of people assume if it's natural it is safe. So much if it is not. It's gotten to be so much of a hazard that as of a few years ago, we are now required to list all natural supplements people are taking. The powers that be are finding a huge drug interaction between herbal supplements and drugs and medications people require during their hospital stay.
 
I apologize, I'm really opinionated on both side of this argument.

But I spoke hastily. Had to edit what should have gone to PM.
 
Not to start a war over reptaid, but what evidence is there showing that it actually kills parasites or bacteria? My studies up to now would point to most herbal and homeopathic remedies being useless or marginally effective at best.

This is not to say that there isn't empirical evidence that it is helpful, but notice on the reptaid website that the link that is supposed to direct you to more information directs you here: http://www.biochemresearch.com/

It is very concerning to me that I could wait for an herbal remedy to work and it might not kill the bacteria, or it might help for a period of time leaving the bacterial infection to show its ugly head at a later date.

I am certainly not an expert, so I would love to hear the opinion of a qualified vet or scientist.

Teresa,

In response to your request to hear an opinion of a qualified vet or scientist, I would suggest that no one (including those working in those 2 professions) is qualified by actually performing true double blind studies in a controlled test setting.

Perhaps the 3 or 4 most well known vets on chameleons could be contacted to get their opinion (Dr. Alfonso etc), but their opinion would not be a scientific study, but conclusions drawn from the use of Reptaid, or the use of conventional medication types of treatments.

I would guess if you googled Batril and looked for scientific studies that show Batril actually does kill bacteria and parasites, and proof that the infections and parasites won't raise their ugly head again, you would not find such evidence.

You are correct in being concerned about administering any medication, herbal or otherwise to a sick chameleon, if it did not work. Fortunately, most Reptaid users will tell you that it works very quickly, so if it doesn't work, you will not have lost many days, and you can go to the vet and get standard medications.

All that being said, if you want a bottle to try, I'll send you one for free.:D

Nick

Edit: I do not sell Reptaid, I do like the product, and this is an offer to Teresa only.............
 
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I've never used the product, but based on the recommendations of people here, I certainly would.

The CDC has a whole bunch of people who do nothing more than test random "found in nature" stuff to see if it will kill various random disease in cells.

Taxol, one of the better drugs against breast cancer was discovered this way. It's distilled from the leaves of Ewe trees...

So, there is no reason to automatically dismiss something because it's "natural"...to do so is just as wrong as to accept it because it's "natural".

Most things used on animals that go through the FDA process are drugs that are intended for humans and are first tested on small mammals...like bunnies, dogs and maybe even cats. Virtually every big pharma company has a "veterinary" division because, by necessity, they've done animal testing....so, why not do a bit more on other animals that can pull in the big drug money like horses?

The big money for big pharma is not in finding stuff that works on reptiles.

Therefore, it seems highly likely to me that there will be things coming from nature that caring people will try on their reptiles which turn out to be effective.
 
Sorry I know I have posted alot on this particular post but for the readers out there, KingJulien is talking about:

ReptAid: http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...ptaid-for-250-gram-or-less-reptiles-rept-aid/

Not to be confused with Fluker's "Repta-Aid"
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753955

Don't go reading good stuff about "ReptAid" and then go out and buy "Repta-Aid"

wow LLL is now selling chameleonsnorthwest's product? nice job Sandy! This is your product right? :eek: sorry I 4get
 
Just a question to the OP,

What qualifies anyone as an expert? Just curious, because your title requests information from an expert.
 
worms are a parasite, not a mild infection

My bad, I was thinking infection or infestation and just wrote infection.

I apologize, I'm really opinionated on both side of this argument.

But I spoke hastily. Had to edit what should have gone to PM.

No worries. Check your PM.

Teresa,

In response to your request to hear an opinion of a qualified vet or scientist, I would suggest that no one (including those working in those 2 professions) is qualified by actually performing true double blind studies in a controlled test setting.
It has been stated that no official studies have been done. I understand.

Perhaps the 3 or 4 most well known vets on chameleons could be contacted to get their opinion (Dr. Alfonso etc), but their opinion would not be a scientific study, but conclusions drawn from the use of Reptaid, or the use of conventional medication types of treatments..

Right. But I believe that an expert who looks at the ingredients and administers it to their own pets would be a testament itself to the safety of the product. I asked for expert opinion only, not a double-blind study.

I would guess if you googled Batril and looked for scientific studies that show Batril actually does kill bacteria and parasites, and proof that the infections and parasites won't raise their ugly head again, you would not find such evidence.

For a drug at least the chemical mechanism is known. http://www.baytril.com/8/Mechanism_of_Action.htm. This kind of information would be enough to satisfy me as far as an explanation of Reptaid is concerned, or simply a reccomendation from an unbiased expert. Antibiotics in general can't guarantee that the infection won't return later, if you had that then you'd have a immunization.

You are correct in being concerned about administering any medication, herbal or otherwise to a sick chameleon, if it did not work. Fortunately, most Reptaid users will tell you that it works very quickly, so if it doesn't work, you will not have lost many days, and you can go to the vet and get standard medications.

All that being said, if you want a bottle to try, I'll send you one for free.:D

Nick

Edit: I do not sell Reptaid, I do like the product, and this is an offer to Teresa only.............

Ha! All my questions won me a prize! :cool: I will take you up on that. I will try it out sometime. For the record, I'm not involed with any pharma company, or any animal products at all. I'm just a lady with a sick lizard.

I've never used the product, but based on the recommendations of people here, I certainly would.

The CDC has a whole bunch of people who do nothing more than test random "found in nature" stuff to see if it will kill various random disease in cells.

Taxol, one of the better drugs against breast cancer was discovered this way. It's distilled from the leaves of Ewe trees...

So, there is no reason to automatically dismiss something because it's "natural"...to do so is just as wrong as to accept it because it's "natural".

Most things used on animals that go through the FDA process are drugs that are intended for humans and are first tested on small mammals...like bunnies, dogs and maybe even cats. Virtually every big pharma company has a "veterinary" division because, by necessity, they've done animal testing....so, why not do a bit more on other animals that can pull in the big drug money like horses?

The big money for big pharma is not in finding stuff that works on reptiles.

Therefore, it seems highly likely to me that there will be things coming from nature that caring people will try on their reptiles which turn out to be effective.

I totally agree. I myself take herbal supplements sometimes, and I just talked to a friend who was going to Oakland for some ...other herbal medication, which I completely think is better than the chemical alternatives in some cases.

I also agree that some "natural" remedies can be very effective. I use quotes around natural only because it can be very debatable whether something is really natural or not.

wow LLL is now selling chameleonsnorthwest's product? nice job Sandy! This is your product right? :eek: sorry I 4get

When I started this thread I had no idea about the whole sponsor issue or that anyone on the board could be involved with any of the products. Sorry, I don't mean to step on any toes. I just wanted some educated opinions.

Just a question to the OP,

What qualifies anyone as an expert? Just curious, because your title requests information from an expert.

I asked initially (post #1) for the opinion of a qualified vet or scientist. Later (post#32) I said "the information I would be most interested in is the risks/benefits of each of the ingredients, and how and why they work. "

This is not meant to be a snarky response, I know this is a super long and wordy thread.
 
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