REPTILE | PET GAZETTE | 23
but not the head. In short, we have altered the
way that an animal can utilise energy from light
safely, however, the need itself remains the
same as its wild variant.
A reduction or increase of energy within
these fields is nothing more than a level of
problematic imbalance, as is the provision
of an unbalanced replicated full spectrum
light source. If we underprovide or poorly
provide external energy to a reptile it will not
be able to function as well as the wild animal.
This imbalance will negatively impact every
process and cycle within the synergy that
sustains life in some way, either quickly or
over a long and drawn out period. A chronic
undersupply of heat (terrestrial infrared) will
reduce the quantity of physical energy that is
available for an animal to spend. This will not
only impact the animal’s ability to move and
feed but will also impact the animal’s ability
to digest and use food. These imbalances
will also negatively affect every other organ
and its function. An under provision or poor/
imbalanced provision of terrestrial ultraviolet
will have a direct linear impact upon an
animal’s ability to create preformed vitamin
D3. The animal will then have an under
provision of every vital process and function
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in which this cycle is required within the
body, including allowing the assimilation,
storage and use of minerals such as calcium,
magnesium and phosphorus. We then start
to enter the wholly avoidable wasteland of
malnutrition which leads to an advancing
degree of metabolic bone disorder (MBD).
In the case of reptiles, being reliant upon
this external source of core energy to be able
to move, feed, assimilate, store and use food
we could view the energy provided by the sun
as the ‘fuel’ that they require to function, and
the vast variety of foods consumed as being
‘the building blocks of life itself’.
Animals can enter a downward spiral of
MBD if any of the above are under provided
or are provided out of balance. In this case
we must seek to provide remedial therapy
in a safe, effective and ethical fashion. In the
previous issue we looked at the theory or
concept of overall-nutrition and I announced
the release of a free MBD Recovery
Programme that is available to vets and
other professionals within the animal keeping
industries. As part of the programme and
the testimonial case that I used to explain the
theory I mention as complementary processes
within the programme as being light therapy.
Light therapy is the process of exposing
an imbalanced or diseased animal to the
correct wavelengths of light and in the correct
quantities in order for the body to become
naturally energised and to begin the process
of healing itself. In a manner of speaking, a
well cared for animal that is exposed properly
to the correct levels of light within its home is
undergoing a continuing form of light therapy,
however in this case I use the term as part of a
recuperative process.
We must provide heat via the correct or
terrestrial wavelengths of infrared. These
being IR-A and IR-B from the direct source
and at a total temperature that is common
to the animal’s wild use. In this way we will
be providing the correct wavelengths and
quantity of photons, subsequently these will
provide energy deep within the animal.
We can then look at UV provision. It is vital
that we provide the correct quantity or index
of UV per species. To ensure this we use the
international scale of UV Index or UVI. If we
choose and measure a lamp that will provide
the correct index or quantity of UV per species,
and site this over the area where the animal
basks, we can ensure that it is safely and
effectively exposed and that the body will start
October 2018