Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the body) is rare in bearded dragons, but it can happen, and it can result in illness and death. Theres a long list of nasty health issues that your bearded dragon can develop if it doesnt get the necessary amount of calcium. This can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination. While bearded dragons are naturally pretty hardy, that isn't to say that they can't develop serious health issues! Best calcium supplements with and without vitamin D3. Expert Note: Its worth pointing out that even though these symptoms can present with a deficiency in calcium too, its going to be pretty obvious what the cause is.If youre actively trying to give your bearded dragon more calcium, its probably an overdose. Calcium assists in bone development, muscle health, and reproductive health. None of the information on this website is intended as a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice and treatment. However, too much of it can impact the beardies health. As a matter of interest, unlike most other feeders, soldier fly larvae have a higher calcium to phosphorus ratio (Divers 2018). Proper hydration helps the dragon's body absorb calcium, Vitamin D3, and other important nutrients. These tumors have been classified as gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas (GNT), which readily spread to other organs. 2. Therefore even if you must drive a long distance for a proper vet, itll be worth it in the end. And it worked. In artificially lit environments, just as it is important that the light is putting out enough UVB it is equally important not to overdo it. But i dont use Herptivite with beta carotine. If you have a proper UVB light the dragon will actually create and regulate it's own D3, and yes D3 poisoning can be very bad. Your dragon could obtain too much D3 from food and sunlight. I started doing that. It's also important for females to form their eggs properly. Calcium is essential for growth in bearded dragons. Bearded Dragon Calcium Overdose Symptoms. Other symptoms of weakness are being shaky and unwilling to move. May 12, 2011. Pet dragons primarily get Vitamin D3 through proper UVB lighting in their tank as well as exposure to natural sunlight (this means exposure to natural sunlight outside, not necessarily through a window; its actually dangerous to keep your. Thats because its just not possible to recreate an exact replica of a dragons natural habitat, although you can come close. Elsevier Health Sciences. In fact, in this article alone we will be discussing 17 bearded dragon diseases, health concerns, and illnesses that all owners should be aware of!. Calcium supplement meant for humans can also be used. Read on to find out more about why Bearded Dragons need calcium, how to tell if . If these animals continue to receive too much calcium they can potentially die (although this is less common). Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are mostly seen in dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc. In a way, it just boils down to preference. their bodies will also become stiff, making it difficult for them to move. Beta caroteneis a lot safer than Vitamin A because of the way your dragons body will absorb it. It cant be metabolic bone disease cuz i dust his crickets every meal which is twice a day every day. For bearded dragons kept indoors, buy calcium powders with cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3. This means you need to supplement these in order for your bearded dragon to remain healthy. Applied Nutritional Studies with Zoological Reptiles. Change the bulb in your dragons tank every six months or so, no later than every year. Create your own wipes to clean your bearded dragon's enclosure and furniture. He is starting to show his age but, Best way to provide calcium for your bearded dragon. Exo Terra Reptile Calcium with vitamin D3. This is worth noting because calcium (as well as vitamin D3) is one of the most important minerals these animals can receive. Like the product above, the Repta Calcium powder also contains D3 to allow your bearded dragon to absorb the calcium properly. Is it possible to give your bearded dragon too much calcium? A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. Bone resorption causes bone tissue to release minerals such as calcium to the blood.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'reptilemaniac_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptilemaniac_com-banner-1-0'); An increased concentration of calcium in the blood can impact the health of your bearded dragon in several ways. A diurnal lizard, bearded dragons are awake and active during the daytime. Spinal and bone deformities (like scoliosis), Juveniles typically facing low dietary calcium intake or Calcium deprivation. Bearded dragon calcium supplements come in a variety of forms, including powder, tablets, and capsules. Hypercalcemia happens when there is too much calcium in the blood. Those ages 4 months and below, should be given calcium daily, while juvenile bearded dragons under one year should be given calcium 5 times a week. multiple hours per week), oral D3 supplementation should be reduced or not fed at all. This is one of the best bearded dragon calcium powders on the market. Additionally, a lack of calcium in a bearded dragon's diet can cause severe health complications. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Calcium has lots of important roles in a healthy bearded dragon. I question the use of vitamin supplementation. But what if the light is too close? 4. Burimi 's desc original0030.blogspot.com At the same time, no matter how good the environment and the diet, your dragon still needs supplements. An 1/8 of a teaspoon or a pinch might be useful, but here is the thing, calcium supplements can only be effective in the right conditions. We are not licensed veterinarians. This is actually a common mistake because inexperienced owners go overboard in an attempt to avoid the list of awful symptoms we mentioned above. (Doctoral Dissertation) Oklahoma State University. Unlike other minerals such as phosphorus, calcium is not something your bearded dragon will receive enough of from their diet. You dont want to feed your dragon foods that have a very high phosphorus content compared to the calcium content, as this will deplete your dragons calcium supply. Journal of Endocrinology: 64-81. If you wish, you could also add in a secondary calcium supplement to your dragons feeding schedule, but it isnt necessarily something you have to do. (2019). Vitamin D3 is very important since it aids in the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D3 given as a supplement orally is not as effective as it is from giving access to sunlight without any barriers between the UVB and the bearded dragon. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine,23(4), 369-379. Dragons require high temperature for proper feed digestion so temperature of vivarium should be high enough to proper utilization of feed in intestine (heat lamps orlight generated heat source can be used as if needed) Should be given free access to water to avoid dehydration. For most species, 0.1% calcium appears adequate for a maintenance diet. So now the only other possibilities is calcium overdose or metabolic bone disease. The amount of calcium in a supplement varies, but most contain around 100-500 mg of calcium. While this isnt always a surefire sign that the problem is a calcium overdose, loss of appetite can be related to another issue. Too much calcium in your blood is referred to as Hypercalcemia. The disease causes serious bone, muscle, and tissue damage, which can result in paralysis or death. Calcium is pretty useless without D 3. Add calcium rich foods to the diet. Schmidt-Ukaj S., Hochleithner M., Richter B., Hochleithner C., Brandstetter D., Knotek Z. Something thats important to note is that too much calcium is only a problem when theres too much vitamin D3 as well. Select foods that can improve the Ca:P ratio and that dont have high levels of anti-nutrients that can block absorption. 100% Satisfaction All Winter! Unfortunately, it can be very problematic if they ingest an excessive amount of calcium. This will allow your bearded dragon to digest it more efficiently, and reduce the risk of any GI issues that lumpy powders can cause. in Beardie health, Beardie info, Caresheet. Yes, bearded dragons do need Vitamin D as it is essential for the metabolism and absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This was discussed in your other thread. Since bearded dragons should be getting 12 hours of UVB exposure a day, they dont necessarily need this supplement on a daily basis. The rest should take care of itself! Hypercalcemia is brought about by calcium overdose. Supplementing with calcium helps you have more control over how much calcium your dragon is actually consuming. De Vosjoil, P., Sommella, T. M., Mailloux, R., Donoghue, S., & Klingenberg, R. J. Most importantly: It serves as an essential electrolyte of the heart, brain, skeletal muscles and nervous system functioning. Its also a good idea to ensure that the temperature of the room they are being kept in isnt affected by the weather outside. Too much D3 leads to toxicity in the blood, which can be problematic for bone development and other body functions. Find out! Otherwise, your bearded dragon could end up with a bone disease that could be painful for them for the rest of their lives. Proper temperatures in the tank are extremely important. While some are worse than others, none of them are pleasant. Its not made from anything like oyster shells or other substances that can affect your bearded dragon over time. Provide artificial UVB bulbs for those housed indoors. Fluker's Repta Calcium. B. G., Heijboer, A. C., van Leeuwen, J. P. T. M., Hendriks, J. P. & Kik, M. (2013). You may notice some products on the market that contain both calcium and Vitamin D3. One reason it's important to be educated on bearded dragon health concerns, is because your beardie will hide symptoms. Yes, bearded dragons can eat fresh kale regularly so long as it is washed and free of pesticides. If your bearded dragon's head turns white, it means that the shed process begins at the head. Bearded dragons are susceptible to calcium overdoses, which can lead to a variety of symptoms including lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite, and twitching. Calcium is nothing to your dragon without Vitamin D3. That is for you and your vet to determine. (2018) Maders Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery- E-Book. Beardies are not completely covered in dirt. This can also be a sign of a bacterial infection such as mouth rot, though the symptoms are very different. Its entirely possible for you to be giving your bearded dragon too much calcium without realizing it. Because of this, we feel confident recommending the following two bearded dragon calcium powders. The symptoms of calcium deficiency in bearded dragons can be mild to severe, but the most common symptoms are twitching, poor gait, and swollen legs. This can prolong the lifespan of your bearded dragon. If your dragon displays symptoms of hypercalcemia, it must be taken to a vet immediately. Keep your dragon happy and thriving by providing a balanced diet, proper UVB lighting, and adequate supplements. So its always best to check with a vet first before starting any supplementation. Youll want to ensure your beardie has a good basking spot and a place to get away and cool down. There should be nothing blocking the sun light which includes any glass, plastic or otherwise. This is obviously a step in the right direction since its another effective and natural way for them to get calcium into their system. Sufficient exposure to UVB light, is necessary. Could that twitch be just a way of him digesting it? The body cannot use calcium unless it has vitamin D3. If youre certain theres something that needs to be addressed, improve it slowly. BD.org Sicko. Metabolic Bone Disease in Bearded Dragon 5 Late Stage MBD Symptoms in Bearded Dragons. van den., Leeuwen J.P.T.M. A beardie that doesnt get enough of this will suffer (which no one wants). Yes, you must provide calcium for your bearded dragon. this would also cause severe damage to the health of your bearded dragon. Beardies are prone to diarrhea. Pet dragons primarily get Vitamin D3 through proper UVB lighting in their tank as well as exposure to natural sunlight (this means exposure to natural sunlight outside, not necessarily through a window; its actually dangerous to keep your dragons tank by a window due to risk of burns). The first signs of MBD are: stunted growth; a rounded skull, especially when viewed from the side; lack of appetite Some invertebrates, such as crickets, cannot be kept alive on calcium gut loading diet for over 3 days as it causes impaction in the cricket and subsequently it dies (Thompson, 2016). So the early symptoms of calcium deficiency are diverse, and often easily mistaken for other problems. I would back down on the calcium to once a day and see if it helps. [Answered]. Rickets and osteoporosis in Xenopus laevis. Expert Tip: If you coat the food in too much powder your bearded dragon might decide not to eat it. Alternatively, you can buy a UV meter to the UVB output of the lamp. Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. This calcium powder is great because its one of the best mixtures in terms of impurities. How to Keep Your Iguana Healthy, Happy and Safe! Twitches, ticks, spasms, or tremors. Some of the poisonous bugs for your lizard include fireflies, lubber grasshoppers, and box elder bugs. Simply revisit the recommended setup guidelines in order to ensure you have everything positioned properly. It also helps prevent metabolic bone disease and keep your dragon healthy and happy. A calcium overdose in a bearded dragon can be very serious and even life-threatening. The insects are fed a diet that is nutritious for your bearded dragon 24 hours prior to feeding them to your dragon. Your pet bearded dragon needs sufficient calcium and vitamin D3 for its growth. 6 days RepCal and 1 Day Reptivite or 5 days Repcal and 2 days Reptivite. Youll want a mix of each in order to maximize the health of these animals since they get their calcium from a variety in the wild. its just peristalsis that you are seeing. In most cases, the excess calcium in your blood was leached from your bones, which weakens them. A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. Vitamin D supports the immune system, development and maintenance of bones, cardiovascular heath, functioning of nerves and muscles, and reproduction. (2010) Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation and UVb exposure on the growth and plasma concentration of vitamin D3 metabolites in juvenile bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). So i want to see if i dont dust crickets for the next couple of days will he return to normal without that body twist/twitch for 1 second? Your concern regarding the overuse of D3 or any other multivitamins is certainly legitimate. Another thing to be wary of is the moisture content. Second is, provide UVB bulbs in your bearded dragons housing. This is most effectively done through powder, so thats what well speak to in this section. Bearded dragons need full spectrum or high UVB reptile bulbs provided overhead. Is It Good For Them? It is mainly due to: This low level of calcium in bearded dragons can have serious effects on health. (2014). B. Some of the symptoms of MBD are as follows: Bumps that you can see or feel in the legs. It is usually caused by a diet low in calcium and/or vitamin D or a lack of UVB light that allows them to make vitamin D naturally. Heat. I noticed him do this 3 times, once every other day, for the past week that ive had him. Vitamin D3 is essential for the absorption of calcium into bones, so it stands to reason that the most likely symptoms of vitamin D overdose will involve the bones. At night, keep the enclosure at around 70-75 degrees fahrenheit (21-24 celcius). Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) occurs in plant sources vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) from plant and animal sources. Here are 5 steps to action if a bearded dragon bites you: Gently pry the jaws apart if it bites and holds on. Keeping them on a regular feeding schedule can help identify digestion issues. On the other hand, two or more symptoms are generally a sign that there is indeed a problem. Bearded dragons will do best with sunlight. Almost 19% of the bearded dragons had musculoskeletal disorders with the most prevalent being osteodystrophy and limb fractures. Vitamin D3 makes it possible for the dragon's body to absorb calcium from their digestive system. B., Van De Wal, M. D., Bosch, G., Stumpel, J. The more I keep reading about the problems with the dying dragons' liver failures, etc. Reptile Direct is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Its also very affordable, so you can easily fit it into your existing care strategy without it disrupting your budget too much. Some ppl talk about too much D3 being detrimental tho. Bearded dragons need calcium for the following reasons: Bone development. Ask your vet how much water is recommended for your bearded dragon's situation, and make sure the water bowl isn't too deep. They might develop tail rot as well. For bearded dragons kept outdoors or a combination of indoor and outdoor housing, it is likely that lower levels of D3 cholecalciferol will be needed. And on the surface, they all look pretty much the same. How often a bearded dragon urinates is going to vary for each pet. Absorbed vitamin D can be stored in the body such as the fat tissue, liver and kidneys. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! Signs of calcium overdose in bearded dragons includes lethargy, muscle weakness and constipation. Thats too much, only dust 1 feeding per day for 6 days a week. They know how to regulate their internal temperature and arent always capable of doing so if the temperature is too hot or cold for them. Vitamin D3 supports the metabolism and absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Recently, I watched. Then, simply feed the insects to your bearded dragon. If left untreated, hypercalcemia can affect your nervous system, heart, stomach, kidneys and bones. This is a much similar but more severe disorder to that of osteoporosis in humans. Vitamin D3 may be offered three times a week. Most often, symptoms associated with weak and soft limbs indicate a low calcium and or/vitamin D3 in your bearded dragon's body. However, if you are feeding your bearded dragon 50% or more of the total diet with commercially prepared diets, supplementation should not be required (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). In research by Oonincx et al (2015) the stomach contents of 10 free ranging (wild) Pogona vitticeps were analysed. Lethargy and weakness can be a sign of many potential health complications, and its no different with a calcium deficiency. This guide will teach you the fundamentals of why bearded dragons need calcium, how to provide it to them (with our powder recommendations), the way other factors influence how much they need, and much more! One of the most effective ways to quickly increase the calcium your bearded dragon gets is through supplementation. The symptoms can often be subtle that may appear to not be an issue, but in these rare cases, hypercalcemia can be very serious and lead to death. In fact, calcium wont be of any importance to your bearded dragon if there is no vitamin D3. Divers, S. J., and Stahl, S. J. 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