Anyone inject their feeders?

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

Ok so here's my question does anyone inject their prey items with liquid vitamin?

Ok so here's my thought process on this... A few years ago I used to keep a few different types of snakes and lizards and have recently gotten back into the hobby and will be breedig balls next season. Anyway, back when I kept my snakes last time I would inject a liquid vitamin under the skin of my rodents prior to feeding.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not suggesting that every animal I own should be dosed with vitamins but my thought was that it may be beneficial to dose a snake that is I'll or injured in some way to help boost their system so they can heal faster. Also I considered injecting the feeders of my hatchlings to ensure that they get a little boost early on. Likewise, I would consider doing this for females preovulation or if they were gravid to assist in the entire egg devolopment process. And lastly, if an animal had been off feed for several months my thought was it could be beneficial to give them some extra vitamin when they start feeding again.

If it were something they didn't need I would think they would simply pass the unabridged or unneeded amount.

Just wondering if anyone out there has or does do this?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Absolutely not necessary, though funny the things some company have tried to sell over the years.

Vitamins for various lizard and frogs yes however snakes get everything they need from their prey items.

[kitedemon]

I have heard of injecting a small amount of umm I can't recall which oil but a light laxative for constipation although if a snake is eating I'd usually guess it isn't needed myself. The thought is not that bad but I agree not necessary and the thing I'd be concerned about is how much of what. Vitamins can be toxic in the wrong amounts and some can be processed and some not. It sounds to me that the potential gain (if any) is so small and the risks are not non existent that the gain and risk weighed together leaves you no farther ahead and possible placing an animal in danger.

[stratus_020202]

There are different vitamins used for healing, laying, and growing. How would you know the exact one to inject the rodent with? And, how would you measure it so as not to give the snake too much? Sounds totally unneeded. Animals only need supplements to recover what they are not getting in the wild. For example: Calcium for desert species. Why would you want to put a rodent through that? I would never stick a rodent with a needle and feed it to my snake. They can be aggressive enough.

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

Ok I understand the argument though administering enough vitamin into the digestive tract to be lethal would very difficult. But I tend to agree that the benefit weighed with potential harm may be a little tricky and maybe not worth the risk. It's nice to see that a few of you were able to give reasoning behind your answers and not just a simple "no it won't work" thank you for the insight.

[snakesRkewl]

I inject lots of good food into my rats and feed fat healthy rats, nothing more is needed or wanted...