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 Nutritional
Disorders: Vitamins and Minerals
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Please read our Disclaimer
before reading any further into these common problems. As with any
medical problem, we strongly recommend that you immediately contact your
veterinarian for assistance.
Note: PO = administered orally, IM = administered via injection
(intramuscular)
The Importance Of
These Vitamins and Minerals
| Type |
Purpose |
Vitamin A |
Helps the growth and repair of body tissues, aids in digestion,
maintains eyesight, helps boost the immune system and to fight off
diseases. |
Vitamin C |
Commonly referred to as ascorbic acid. Helps the immune system and speeds up the healing of wounds. |
Vitamin D3 |
Aids in the absorption and metabolism of calcium and
phosphorus. Works in conjunction with vitamin A. |
Vitamin E |
Also known as tocopherols and act as antioxidants, prevents blood
clots and dilates the various blood vessels. |
Vitamin K |
Needed for proper liver (hepatic) functioning as well as for the
clotting of the blood. Deficiencies can occur as a result of long term/chronic
antibiotic
treatment. |
Biotin |
Is a natural B-complex vitamin. |
Calcium |
Critical for proper bone growth/development, enzyme reactions,
blood coagulation, muscle contraction and neuromuscular
transmission |
Copper |
Assists in the absorption of iron, formation of bones and assists
in the healing process. |
Iodine |
Helps regulate the thyroid gland, assists rate of metabolism,
promotes growth and regulates the gecko's energy. |
Iron |
Helps indirectly in assisting the transportation of oxygen and
protein metabolism. |
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| Type |
Possible Symptoms Of A Deficiency |
Treatment |
Vitamin A |
Vision problems, blindness, skin
problems, slow
growth, diarrhea, respiratory
infections, swollen
and inflamed eyelids, edema, and wheezing. |
- PO/IM vitamin A
- change in diet |
Vitamin C |
Poor and/or slower wound
healing, swollen joints and a suppression of the immune system. |
-PO/IM vitamin C |
Vitamin D3 |
Soft and misshapen bones, fractures,
tremors, vision
problems, poorly developed muscles and metabolic
bone disease. |
- PO vitamin D
- PO/IM calcium
- change in diet |
Vitamin E |
Steatitis, white muscle
disease, fatty tissue lesions, anorexia,
reproductive failure, muscle tremors and bleeding disorders. |
- PO/IM vitamin E
- PO/IM Selenium
- change in diet |
Vitamin K |
Bleeding disorders such as
bleeding gums and spontaneous hemorrhaging as well as reproductive
failure. |
- PO/IM vitamin K
- change in diet |
Biotin |
Tremors, weakness or
lethargy
and anorexia. |
- PO vitamin B
- change in diet |
Calcium |
Soft and misshapen bones, fractures,
tremors, vision
problems, poorly developed muscles and metabolic
bone disease. |
- PO vitamin D
- PO/IM calcium
- change in diet |
Copper |
Respiratory problems, anemia, skeletal problems, skin disorders
and weakness. |
- change in diet
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Iodine |
Dry skin, reproductive problems, slow growth, lethargy and
enlarged thyroid gland. |
- change in diet
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Iron |
Anemia, weakness
and constipation. |
- change in diet |
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| Type |
Possible Symptoms Of Toxicities |
Vitamin A
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Vomiting, diarrhea,
depression, anorexia,
skin problems (dry,
flaking skin) and bleeding disorders. |
Vitamin C |
Excessive amounts of vitamin C are typically excreted via the
kidneys in the urine, although extremely high doses can lead to diarrhea. |
Vitamin D3 |
Renal failure, calcification of various organs and muscles (including
the kidneys and heart), vomiting, weakness and
increased urination. |
Vitamin E |
Possible increase in blood pressure. |
Vitamin K |
Possibly toxic in high levels. |
Biotin |
Unknown at this time. |
Calcium |
Mineralization and calcification of soft tissues, depression,
anorexia and weight
loss. |
Copper |
Hepatitis. |
Iodine |
Unknown at this time. |
Iron |
Unknown at this time. |
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