Pacman Care! Help!!!!!!!!

[Tom Highum]

That is because of the threat of an iron over dose.

[Douglas]

Iron overdose is common because iron is only needed in low levels compared to other vitamins. Therefore, the most frequent overdose is iron -- it is not the only thing that is possible to overdose on.

Back to frogs. Vitamins and minerals are only needed in small levels. If more is supplied to the body than can be used, these will be processed and sent out of the body. By giving more than is needed, organs like the liver will have to do extra work to get them out of the body. Extremely high levels can cause serious problems and even death.

If you stick earthworms into a pile of powder every time you feed, your frog may appear just fine. Your frog may even live a happy life. But if you were look at the internal processes that were going on, you would see that this is not good for your frog. By only providing the amount of supplements necessary, your frog will surely live longer and healthier life than if feeding supplements in excess.

[Tom Highum]

Ooh ok i'll keep that in mind.

[John]

Douglas, I think you'll find it's hard to get a frog to absorb that much iron through it's stomach. Do you have any real world examples where that's been proven to be the case?

[Douglas]

The iron was an example related to humans and their vitamin/mineral needs.

[John]

Ah I see. I am not sure the comparison is very relevant (sorry). Humans don't ingest large quantities of soil though, much of which contains significant amounts of iron. I prefer to hear solid examples of this kind of thing rather than just hypotheses. I wonder if Kurt's vet would have any insight?

[Kurt]

I guess we will to talk to Greg soon then.