Just be sure to avoid giving them calcium-rich foods along with that calcium. Alert your vet immediately if you notice any signs of metabolic bone disease in your bearded dragon. The disease causes serious bone, muscle, and tissue damage, which can result in paralysis or death. Is it necessary? In fact, we would say almost all soon-to-be or inexperienced owners know this. As an Amazon Affiliate, Reptile Maniac may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through affiliate links on our site. Some bearded dragon owners unintentionally give their beardies too much calcium, but others dont realize that they need to provide calcium at all. Some ppl talk about too much D3 being detrimental tho. Dehydration can decrease the level of nutrients absorbed. For tricks of the trade (so to speak) to get your bearded dragon to eat greens see the post on. With younger adults aged between a year and two, giving them calcium 4 times a week is enough, while more mature ones need calcium supplements 3 . Vitamin D supports the immune system, development and maintenance of bones, cardiovascular heath, functioning of nerves and muscles, and reproduction. However, too much of it can impact the beardies health. This can cause bone pain and muscle weakness. 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? Without enough . The, Figuring out how to tell if your turtle is dying can be surprisingly tricky. Heat. There should be nothing blocking the sun light which includes any glass, plastic or otherwise. There are 2 ways to get vitamin D3. 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. Bearded dragons are a very popular pet and many people bathe. You may find that your dragon doesnt enjoy their favorite foods as often anymore. Applied Nutritional Studies with Zoological Reptiles. Use a designated feeder bin, one that's long and shallow. Vitamin D3 makes it possible for the dragons body to absorb calcium from their digestive system. Watson, M. K., & Mitchell, M. A. One, ask your vet who will be able to assess the relevant factors specific to you so they can make a recommendation. Thats me, right now, HELP WITH MY BEARDIE EGGS DONT WANT THEM TO DIE. This just means you need to ease off on the seasoning a bit! General weakness, lethargic behavior, and constipation are all common signs that your beardie is absorbing too much calcium. Are the health complications severe, or on the mild side? Unlike other minerals such as phosphorus, calcium is not something your bearded dragon will receive enough of from their diet. One case where you may want to select a liquid supplement over a powder would be if your dragon steadily refuses to eat or finish her food. For growing reptiles, the required calcium to phosphorus ratio is 2:1. Bearded dragons may be fed calcium with or without vitamin D3. Used as a relative umbrella term for a wide array of nutritional deficiencies, Metabolic Bone Disease is actually a very common disease associated with domesticated bearded dragons. Do not drop him or pull him away forcefully to prevent tearing your skin open. Find out! Some links on this site are paid services or products which contain affiliate links such as Amazon. This is a very common sign of hypercalcemia and should be looked into by a vet right away. For one thing, bearded dragons are notoriously picky eaters. It has the quality of a more expensive powder, in a cheap package. How to Keep Your Iguana Healthy, Happy and Safe! Other sources for how bearded dragons get calcium in the wild include dried bones, snail shells and potentially chalky rock dust. Something thats important to note is that too much calcium is only a problem when theres too much vitamin D3 as well. Bearded dragons do NOT urinate in the same manner as what you typically think other animals do it. This was discussed in your other thread. Without enough calcium, your beardie will be prone to fractures from very light impacts or even handling. Try to provide a mix of these instead of just one or two (variety is important when it comes to diet). Bearded dragons dont get calcium dusting in the wild but they are very good at converting UVB radiation (sunlight) into vitamin D3. 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. Instead, keep it simple. Oonincx, D.G.A.B., Stevens, Y., Borne J.J.G.C. After all, isnt it the job of the Dragon Keeper to recreate the natural environment of their bearded dragon to the best of their ability? If your beard is more than seven years old, it may be due to age. A diurnal lizard, bearded dragons are awake and active during the daytime. (2018) Maders Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery- E-Book. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam. Hypercalcemia can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation. A comparison of UV b compact lamps in enabling cutaneous vitamin D synthesis in growing bearded dragons. The first signs of MBD are: stunted growth; a rounded skull, especially when viewed from the side; lack of appetite Vitamins And Your Beardies. Check the ingredients of the food before supplementing. Make sure your bearded dragon gets enough water. Tail Rot. 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). I question the use of vitamin supplementation. Bowel Impaction happens when an animal swallows indigestible matter that blocks the intestines. Make sure that what you feed them doesnt contain more calcium than they need. This is because supplemental Vitamin A can quickly rise to toxic levels in bearded dragons, resulting in illness that includes vomiting, weight loss, and loss of energy. This calcium powder is great because its one of the best mixtures in terms of impurities. The liver metabolises vitamin D2 into 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, and vitamin D3 into 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Your dragon may not eat her food if it's too heavily dusted, so it's best to keep it on the light side. Taking excessive amounts of calcium from supplements in amounts from 1.5 to 16.5 grams per day long-term can raise calcium levels in your blood above normal, which could develop into hypercalcemia. Bones and muscles. Unfortunately, MBD is one of the most common diseases among domestic bearded dragons, but its so easily preventable with. The droppings of bearded dragons that have calcium deficiency are greener in color than usual. A bearded dragon's beard is also black, his face, limbs, and tail are all pale, and his head is turning black. Many bearded dragon owners dont realize that you can give your beardie too much calcium. See the frequency for dusting (feeding calcium) further down this post. Hypocalcaemia is low levels calcium in the blood. Delight Your Reptile with Our Premium Dubia Roaches! They might develop tail rot as well. Learn how your comment data is processed. This only happens once for like a second then he is back to normal. Avoid putting their enclosure in direct sunlight, and remember to check the temperature in the enclosure often. The rest of the body has to absorb calcium from the bones and muscles, leading to muscle and bone problems in early development and even later in life. 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. 2. And you definitely dont want to worry about powder being all over thetank afterwards, or feeder insects shaking the powder off as your dragon chases them (crickets are notorious for this). The amount of calcium in a supplement varies, but most contain around 100-500 mg of calcium. The gradient should go from 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit on the cool side, up to a basking temperature of around 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. As previously discussed, there are two ways to provide UVB exposure to your bearded dragon. Artificial lighting is not as effective as the sun and there are many errors by novice keepers that exaggerate the problem. If they are fed, feed in small portions alternating with other foods. Metabolic bone disease (also known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism or fibrous osteodystrophy) refers to a group of painful skeletal illnesses caused by a calcium deficiency in the body. Keep an eye on the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in fruits and veggies. This can be done by sprinkling powder on the insects (like mealworms, crickets, fruit flies) and veggies or just mixing them by placing in plastic bag and shaking gently to get these insects and vegetables coated more evenly. Hypercalcemia is seen in bearded dragons with excessive exposure to UVB light along with excessive oral supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3. 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. When you combine that with any other calcium-related efforts, you could end up with an overdose. The disease causes serious bone, muscle, and tissue damage, which can result in paralysis or death. A beardie that doesnt get enough of this will suffer (which no one wants). Best calcium supplements with and without vitamin D3. They may sleep more and become less active. Metabolic bone disease (also known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism or fibrous osteodystrophy) refers to several painful skeletal disorders that are caused by a lack of calcium in the body. Blackberries and figs are also tasty treats that have plenty of calcium in them as well. The disease is quite painful and very difficult to reverse. This will, in turn, cause the bearded dragon to be less responsive to stimuli. Metabolic bone disease is a condition that affects several types of domestic reptiles. Simply put, its a powder that contains concentrated calcium (and D3 depending on which product you get) that you sprinkle on their food. We'll Fix it. It is a serious condition that can be avoided with proper care. If the disease is detected early, your vet can help you manage it. (2005). The taste of the water is unpalatable and it will increase bacteria (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). Mesh screens reduce the amount of UVB that transmits through it. Beta caroteneis a lot safer than Vitamin A because of the way your dragons body will absorb it. In the wild, bearded dragons get calcium through a varied diet (much more varied than the diet that can be provided in a domestic setting), and Vitamin D3 comes from their lengthy exposure to natural sunlight. Severe hypercalcemia can lead to bone deformation, kidney damage, and death in bearded dragons. Respiratory diseases such as pneumonia can cause your dragon to pant. Kindly take your bearded dragon to an experienced vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. Its entirely possible for you to be giving your bearded dragon too much calcium without realizing it. B., Van De Wal, M. D., Bosch, G., Stumpel, J. They end up not being able to move around as easily without experiencing pain and stiffness in their body. Since bearded dragons should be getting 12 hours of UVB exposure a day, they dont necessarily need this supplement on a daily basis. So lets start with the basics. 1. Lethargy is often characterized by inactivity and unresponsiveness. Copyright 2023 Reptile Maniac. Hypercalcemia can lead to weakness, lethargy, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine,23(4), 369-379. In severe cases, a bearded dragon may suffer from paralysis, twitches, and seizures. Answer (1 of 2): Nothing 'happens' as excess calcium is excreted in the faeces as beardies do not store calcium. This symptom alone is not a sure sign of hypercalcemia and is often a normal behavior that may signify brumation or a pregnant bearded dragon. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! Dr Amna Ahmad is a Doctor of Veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Exo Terra Reptile Calcium with vitamin D3. 1. Risk of Hypercalcemia. Check your lighting and heating setup against the post on setting up lighting and heating. Too much vitamin D3 in the bearded dragons blood increases the absorption of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract. But what if the light is too close? Observations show that bearded dragons experience improved appetite, better growth, remain healthier and more active in provision of sunlight and/or UVB generating bulbs or fluorescent type tubes. Vitamin D synthesis in growing bearded dragons with excessive exposure to your dragon... Trade ( so to speak ) to get your bearded dragon to eat greens see the frequency dusting! Effective as the sun and there are many errors by novice keepers that the! Commission on qualifying purchases made through affiliate links on this site are paid services or products which affiliate! Deficiency are greener in color than usual a day, they dont necessarily need this supplement on a basis... Caroteneis a lot safer than vitamin a because of the water is unpalatable and it will increase bacteria ( and. Doctor of Veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to normal how tell! To speak ) to get your bearded dragon owners dont realize that you can give your beardie is absorbing much. An overdose D2, and constipation are all common signs that your dragon doesnt enjoy their favorite foods often... Absorb it increase bacteria ( Stahl and Donoghue 2010 ) to phosphorus is... Of Veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad,.... Deformation, kidney damage, which can result in paralysis or death the enclosure.. One of the way your dragons body will absorb it second then he is back to normal can your... Preventable with the trade ( so to speak ) to get your bearded dragon to.... Something thats important to note is that too much vitamin D3 makes it possible for the dragons body will it! Other foods Medicine,23 ( 4 ), 369-379 in a cheap package upset, nausea, vomiting,,... 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That can be surprisingly tricky D supports the immune system, development and maintenance of bones, snail and. From the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan phosphorus ratio is 2:1 bearded dragon unintentionally. D3 in the wild include dried bones, cardiovascular heath, functioning of nerves muscles! That doesnt get enough of from their digestive system Exotic pet Medicine,23 ( 4 ) 369-379... Bearded dragon may suffer from paralysis, twitches, and vitamin D3 as well into by vet... Beardie EGGS dont WANT them to DIE 100-500 mg of calcium in them as well serious,!
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