The calcium in the liquid is calcium chloride and calcium citrate vs calcium carbonate in the powdered supplement.

I do not know if calcium carbonate mixed with water will work for absorption.

This is what I do know:
CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) in pure water is insoluble, meaning it does not truly dissolve. It will be in the form of a precipitate. Basically it will either float on the water or will sink to the bottom.

When added to HCl (Hydrochloric acid as in our stomachs) and H20 (water) the equation changes and therefore can be absorbed as calcium chloride. Calcium chloride's ph is around 8, making it an alkaline. This is why Tums works in the stomach...calcium chloride is absorbable. Because calcium chloride is a base, it helps to neutralize the stomach's HCl to become less acidic. Basically, acid plus base (alkaline compound) equals neutral, if ions are present for bonding.
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/erli...ground/ph.html

Problem is, if we mix the calcium carbonate to try and create a soluble solution, salt is usually needed and/or acid containing the chloride ion. Such as sodium chloride or calcium chloride. This is a dilemma because calcium chloride's alkalinity in its own solution (without HCl acid) can cause alkaline burns. See, because it is not neutralized by the acid as would be in our stomachs.

Calcium citrate (citric acid) is added to calcium chloride in the Flukers liquid calcium supplement to neutralize the base/alkalinity of calcium chloride, again creating a neutral ph, making is safe for absorption. A neutral pH of 7 will not cause burns.

So...calcium carbonate with water remains insoluble or unable to dissolve. Adding salt makes it soluble, but creates calcium chloride which is alkalinic and causes burns.

We must also take caution in mixing such compounds because tap water carries trace elements and ions, which could again alter the mixture, and, we carry salt within our skin as sweat. If you were to try it, I would only use distilled water and only wear gloves, but I believe the chemistry of the calcium would fail for absorption. Another question is, what chemicals are within the frogs' skin? Quite the dilemma.

I think your best bet is to try and get the little fella eating with the powdered supplement, unless you can get the Flukers liquid supplement for a soak.

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As for the belly...he sounds impacted. The honey soaks are the safe home remedy. He likely won't be hungry until the situation is resolved.

This is tough, because he is likely malnourished and has nutritional and electrolyte deficiencies, yet if is impacted, will not eat.

The treatment in an otherwise healthy frog with good nutritional status is to do the soaks with honey and to avoid feeding until the impaction clears. This is so we do not add to the impaction. The honey is a natural emollient which when absorbed helps to pass the obstruction. We provide soaks for hydration and to help draw in water to soften the impaction if it is stool. We give pedialyte soaks to provide dextrose (sugar) and electrolytes as needed, as noted in my previous post.

So, we need to clear his obstruction, if that is the cause.

:/