vitamin water?...geckos drink?

[lechisRcool]

my friend has her crestie drink some of the power C vitamin water...and i tried it with my vorax...he likes it...i dont give it to him often...but its this ook?..will it hurt him?....i asked my vet..and he said it wouldnt hurt him..but i wanted to ask u guys...

[lesley]

I personally would not do it!! What are the other ingredients??

[Silly-atus]

If you ask me, it's a waste of time.
There's most likely more than enough Vitamin C in a decent diet, you won't have to add any in the drinking water. Also, is the gecko going to drink enough water to actually get a decent dose of the vitamin? Or is most of it just going to waste since the average gecko doesn't consume all the water in a typical water bowl or lid.

As an aside, most animals can make their own Vitamin C. Primates (apes, chimps etc.,) and guinea pigs have lost this ability to make their own, so they need supplemental Vitamin C. I have no idea if geckos can make their own, but it would make sense since for them to have that ability. Since Vitamin C is water soluble, it's going to take a heck of a lot of it to cause an overdose. Supplementing it in the diet or water isn't going to be a problem unless you really go overboard (in which case, there are probably more problems with the gecko than just Vit C intake. )

It probably won't hurt your gecko if there's only Vit C in the 'power water'. If there are fat soluble vitamins, then you could be asking for trouble. Flavouring might be a possible problem if it's high in calories, but then again, chances are the gecko won't drink 'that much' of it in the first place. If you feel like wasting money, and there's nothing else but water and Vitamin C, then go ahead, just observe the gecko closely for any signs of problems.

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I just found some info on reptiles and Vitamin C.
http://www.microscopy.fsu.edu/vitami.../vitaminc.html

Many plants and most animals, including reptiles, do not need to consume ascorbic acid rich foods and are instead genetically programmed to produce enzymes that convert glucose into vitamin C. Mammals, in particular, possess the L-gulonolactone oxidase enzyme, enabling them to manufacture ascorbic acid from blood glucose in a metabolic cascade of enzymatic action. Curiously, however, the only way that humans, guinea pigs, and several primate species can satisfy their ascorbic acid requirements is to obtain the vitamin in their diets. As it happens, although humans have three essential enzymes required to convert glucose into ascorbic acid, they lack the fourth and final enzyme needed to complete the biochemical pathway.

So, I'd say that adding Vitamin C to the water is a waste of time, keep it for your own consumption

[tmfleo]

I agree I would not give it to your cresties.

There was a thread last year about gatorade and pedialyte which I can't seem to find now. Anyways there were some ingredients in gatorade that were not good for gecko's I beleave it was citric acid vitamin C
Vitamin water
http://www.vitaminwater.com/

Each flavor has different ingredients could not get that info off there web site.
Gatorade
Formula & Nutrition InformationWhat's In It?
Gatorade Thirst Quencher has been scientifically formulated to provide athletes an optimal choice for hydration before, during and after training and competition. The specific formulation – which has been tested and retested in numerous lab settings since 1965 – contains four key components:




Electrolytes
Gatorade Thirst Quencher contains a blend of lab-tested electrolytes – sodium, potassium and chloride – to replenish the minerals athletes lose through sweat during exercise and competition. (1, 2, 3) Electrolytes help regulate a number of body functions, and athletes with a substantial electrolyte deficit may experience muscle cramping, heat stress and fatigue. In addition to replacing what is lost through sweat, the electrolytes in Gatorade trigger activation of the body’s thirst mechanism, encouraging athletes to fully hydrate themselves. (1, 4)



Flavor
Studies have shown people are apt to hydrate themselves more completely with flavored beverages as opposed to unflavored water. (4) Each Gatorade flavor endures a rigorous array of tests to ensure that its great taste falls within a range that encourages athletes to adequately hydrate themselves, regardless of their perceived hydration needs, which can often be misleading. (10)



Carbohydrates
During lab tests, the 6% carbohydrate solution in Gatorade (14 grams per 8 oz) has repeatedly demonstrated itself to be the optimal percentage for speeding fluid and energy back into the body. (5, 6) The right mix of glucose, sucrose and fructose assures rapid fluid delivery (7) and use of carbohydrates by the body. 8 Higher concentrations of carbohydrates or carbohydrate mixes different from Gatorade have been shown to actually slow overall fluid absorption, and they do not produce better performance. (9, 10)



Maximized Fluid Osmolality
Research shows that with the right types and amounts of carbohydrates, fluid absorption occurs as quickly as water as long as the osmolality (particle content of the fluid) is close to that of blood (280 mOsm/kg). Gatorade features a 6% carbohydrate formula that ranges between 280 and 340 mOsm/kg, enabling Gatorade to promote faster fluid absorption than other sports drinks with higher carbohydrate concentrations and osmolality levels.

[lesley]

Seems like alot of things you WOULDN'T want your gecko to consume in the ingredients. I say stick to MRP/CGD and you'll be fine.

[lechisRcool]

yes ...ok i wont..thank you

[Gecko Ranch]

Here's another vote for good diet/hydration and stay away from the "supplement drinks" section of the pet store!