Hydration is essential for good health, but it is possible to overdo things. Some links on this site are paid services or products which contain affiliate links such as Amazon. In this case, a liquid may offer you more control over the calcium and Vitamin D3 intake. Calcium is critical for bone growth and maintenance as well as muscle function in bearded dragons and without high levels of this nutrient, they are likely to suffer from illnesses such as metabolic bone disease (MBD).. Alert your vet immediately if you notice any signs of metabolic bone disease in your bearded dragon. It's important to note that a bearded dragon's diet should always be supplemented with calcium, as it can't get enough from food alone. Bearded dragon calcium powder is quite straightforward and easy to use. One reason it's important to be educated on bearded dragon health concerns, is because your beardie will hide symptoms. Cusack, L., Rivera, S., Lock, B., Benboe, D., Brothers, D., & Divers, S. (2017). This occurs when the body tissue surrounding the weak bones gets pulled tight in an attempt to fortify the bones resulting in tissue and muscle damage. The most common result of a calcium deficiency is called Metabolic Bone Disease. Effects of a light-emitting diode on the production of cholecalciferol and associated blood parameters in the bearded dragon (pogona vitticeps). Other symptoms include sneezing, refusing to eat, breathing quickly or taking shallow breaths, and acting tired along with fluid leaking from the eyes and nose. Vitamin D and ultraviolet B radiation considerations for exotic pets. Research on juvenile bearded dragons found that supplementing with vitamin D3 in doses as high as 4 times the average dietary recommendation was ineffective whereas UVB exposure to the skin was significantly beneficial (Oonincx 2010). Thats because its just not possible to recreate an exact replica of a dragons natural habitat, although you can come close. He is starting to show his age but, Best way to provide calcium for your bearded dragon. Refer to this post on how much light they need. Beta caroteneis a lot safer than Vitamin A because of the way your dragons body will absorb it. Why do we dust calcium? A beardie that doesnt get enough of this will suffer (which no one wants). Dusting refers to coating food (both vegetables and insects) with powder supplements before being eaten. Since bearded dragons should be getting 12 hours of UVB exposure a day, they dont necessarily need this supplement on a daily basis. Remove hazards from the cage. Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. 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. Powdered calcium is fairly popular among Dragon Keepers. In fact, we would say almost all soon-to-be or inexperienced owners know this. Change the bulb in your dragons tank every six months or so, no later than every year. A very small portion of indigestible material (2.3% of stomach content) was found in the stomach, some of which included degraded bone as was attributed to potentially aiding the intake of dietary calcium. Vitamin D3 may be offered three times a week. Avoid supplements containing Vitamin A; opt for beta carotene instead. Bearded dragons cant metabolize calcium without vitamin D3. We like to treat these as an occasional snack instead of daily foods. Proper egg development & good reproductive health in females. You may find that your dragon doesnt enjoy their favorite foods as often anymore. There should be nothing blocking the sun light which includes any glass, plastic or otherwise. Some of the poisonous bugs for your lizard include fireflies, lubber grasshoppers, and box elder bugs. Depending on the age of a beardie, they may require more or less for growth purposes. It can be caused by a variety of things, including environmental conditions and diet. Now, Whether You Need Calcium With or Without Vitamin D3 . Calcium supplement meant for humans can also be used. Placing the light too close or too far away can lead to some of the issues we mentioned earlier. Flukers is a fantastic company thats been a staple among reptile owners for years. Bearded dragon calcium supplements come in a variety of forms, including powder, tablets, and capsules. One of the nice things about this product is that its super affordable. Oxalic and phytic acids bind to calcium making it unavailable. They need both in order to function! 1. Digestive system. Youll want the enclosure to be at 75-85 degrees fahrenheit during the day (24-29 celcius) with the basking spot between 88-100 degrees fahrenheit (31-38 celcius). Being able to identify unusual behavior is essential for noticing hypercalcemia. 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. Combination supplements should be offered three times a week. Hypercalcemia also causes the muscles to become sore. Risk of Hypercalcemia. Unlike other minerals such as phosphorus, calcium is not something your bearded dragon will receive enough of from their diet. [Answered], Highly bioavailable source of calcium carbonate, Made for reptiles that require vitamin D3 to assimilate calcium, Recommended for reptiles that are kept indoors, Promotes healthy bones and vital bodily functions, Provides the necessary calcium for strong bones, Made from high-quality and natural materials. Light is another great way for your bearded dragon to get the necessary amount of calcium. The amount of calcium that sticks to the food. If you notice any of the following symptoms and are worried your bearded dragon has recently consumed too much calcium, get them to a qualified, reputable reptile veterinarian immediately. Provide exposure to unfiltered sunlight at least a few hours a week, except when brumating of course. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. Divers, S. J., & Mader, D. R. Food alone isnt going to provide them with everything they need. Getting calcium for bearded dragons right is crucial for good health. This was discussed in your other thread. The fact that your beardie has hypercalcemia does not necessarily mean that it will die. Here are some of the signs of Hypercalcemia: Excess calcium in the blood causes muscles weakness, so your bearded dragon may look fatigued all the time. You may get lucky and have a dragon who eats everything you give him and finishes every meal, but its unlikely. If they are fed, feed in small portions alternating with other foods. Twelve hours of UVB exposure a day is ideal. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! In research by Oonincx et al (2015) the stomach contents of 10 free ranging (wild) Pogona vitticeps were analysed. Check your lighting and heating setup against the post on setting up lighting and heating. 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. John Wiley & Sons. Vitamin D3 is required for calcium absorption and metabolism. Schmidt et al (2017) conducted a survey on 529 bearded dragons presented to three different exotic animal clinics in Central Europe. Since in the wild they are able to effectively convert UVB radiation to into vitamin D3, they are able to make use of the calcium they can absorb in their diet. It could be anything even a neurological problem. Provide them with the necessary light, a good diet, and a little bit of calcium powder. I would back down on the calcium to once a day and see if it helps. A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. So this only leaves the calcium overdose. Ultimate List of Everything You Need to Buy for Your Bearded Dragon And Why Its Important, New Bearded Dragon Owner Checklist on What to Buy, How to Choose the Best Bearded Dragon Tank for Your Space and Budget. Why does your bearded dragon need calcium in the first place? I read youre dusting 2x a day. Simply put, its a powder that contains concentrated calcium (and D3 depending on which product you get) that you sprinkle on their food. Some bearded dragon owners unintentionally give their beardies too much calcium, but others dont realize that they need to provide calcium at all. Reptile medicine and surgery. You should also be measuring the amount of calcium in supplements they are getting in addition to foods that contain calcium. Overdosing can result in mineralisation of tissues, including the kidneys, which can lead to renal disease. Bearded dragons will do best with sunlight. Thats too much, only dust 1 feeding per day for 6 days a week. Changing UVB lamps is expected to be between 6 to 12 months. Delight Your Reptile with Our Premium Dubia Roaches! Remember, nothing beats natural exposure to sunlight even if only for a few hours a week. A calcium overdose in a bearded dragon can be very serious and even life-threatening. The tighter the mesh, the less UVB it will allow through. Symptoms include: Calcium deficiency also leads to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (aka NSHP, metabolic bone disease). A lack of either one of them will put your beardie at risk of MBD. Metabolic bone disease is a medical condition that is common in a lot of pet reptiles due to a combination of their phosphorus-rich and low-calcium diet and lack of exposure to sunlight. Decide what foods and times you want to feed your dragon supplements. Signs of metabolic bone disease include: Bumps in the legs (that you can feel/see) Twitches, ticks, spasms, or tremors. UVB exposure with or without vitamin D can treat Hypocalcaemia. There are many ways to keep your bearded dragon safe from lack of calcium and all of its consequences: Many Dragon Keepers wonder why its necessary to give supplements to their bearded dragon when they could just provide calcium via diet and ensure they have correct UVB lighting. Yes, bearded dragons do need Vitamin D as it is essential for the metabolism and absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Some of the symptoms of MBD are as follows: Bumps that you can see or feel in the legs. Bearded Dragon Accessories and Enriching Life, 7 Tips to get Bearded Dragon to Eat Vegetables [& Refusal]. Should you offer supplementsif so, powdered or liquid? You may notice some products on the market that contain both calcium and Vitamin D3. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine,23(4), 369-379. They contain more protein and calcium than typical feeders. Foods high in oxalates and phytates can inhibit the uptake of calcium and caution must be used. They may sleep more and become less active. Consult with a vet specializing in reptiles and ensure they know what theyre doing. Which is better? Additionally, a lack of calcium in a bearded dragon's diet can cause severe health complications. Now that you have a better understanding of the impact calcium can have on your bearded dragons, its time for you to plan accordingly. Give them a light dusting and feed them. If youre unsure about the amounts you should be feeding them, consult with your vet, and they will help with a meal plan. Bearded Dragon Calcium Overdose Symptoms. Artificial lighting is not as effective as the sun and there are many errors by novice keepers that exaggerate the problem. As a matter of interest, unlike most other feeders, soldier fly larvae have a higher calcium to phosphorus ratio (Divers 2018). In a way, it just boils down to preference. These lizards may have swollen eardrums (the visible thin film also known as tympanic membrane), discharge, hearing loss, black-brownish spots, among other symptoms. Avoid any calcium powder that has phosphorus in it. (Doctoral Dissertation) Oklahoma State University. May 12, 2011. This is why its so important to take the calcium factor seriously when keeping a bearded dragon as a pet. If left untreated, hypercalcemia can affect your nervous system, heart, stomach, kidneys and bones. 4. Help them feel a little more like the predator they were born to be. Thats just our personal preference though! Cuz i hear calcium overdose can lead to future complications Thx. While bearded dragons are naturally pretty hardy, that isn't to say that they can't develop serious health issues! Setting up the lighting and heating well provides a solid foundation to build a healthy bearded dragon from. In the wild, this species heavily uses UVB rays from the sun to fulfill this requirement. Calcium Supplements. Resulting most frequently from a lack of calcium and/or Vitamin D3, MBD can be life threatening if left unattended. A relatively newly recognized and highly malignant cancer is being seen more and more often in captive bearded dragons. Just like humans, calcium performs a wide array of bodily functions in bearded dragons. 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. An excess of vitamin D3 results in increased bone resorption. A typical baby bearded dragon will "urinate" the most at anywhere from 1 to 3 times daily via passing the white part of the poop (urate). Proper egg development & good reproductive health in females, Dragons bodies need calcium so much that if the body becomes deficient, it starts pulling calcium from their bones, causing, (MBD). Greenstick fractures (folded or bent bones), If you are looking for a calcium-rich feeder insect, try, If you have questions or would like to give feedback, please email us at. Of course, the exception would be a dragon who has metabolic bone disease or another condition which would require a more intense supplement regimen. 11. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Heat? However, where sunlight is provided on a regular basis (i.e. Vitamin D3 makes it possible for the dragon's body to absorb calcium from their digestive system. Dust insects, they are naturally low in calcium. In: Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, et al, editors. . Bone meal powder will make it easier to ration the amount used. The average bearded dragon's lifespan is 8-10 years, but the oldest ever recorded was 18 years old. This warms the bearded dragon while bathing, but does not cause itching or discomfort. Generally its safe to supplement calcium anywhere from a few times a week to once a day. Supplementing the diet with calcium alone is of no value unless you provide UVB exposure to your bearded dragon. In addition to . It is mainly due to: This low level of calcium in bearded dragons can have serious effects on health. This symptom isnt always easy to notice and can be very subtle. Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles, and as such, their diet consists of a wide variety of items. Should i? Hypercalcemia happens when there is too much calcium in the blood. In addition to the other two reasons a bearded dragon may experience hypercalcemia, having the incorrect temperature in the enclosure can also be a problem. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A healthy diet should consist of only five phosphorus meals and five calcium meals. It contains 8% calcium and 1% magnesium to promote a strong bone structure. This could give an explanation as to how bearded dragons get calcium in the wild, at least for these specimens. Toxic bugs and plants can cause the quick death of a bearded dragon. Treatment. The disease is quite painful and very difficult to reverse. Metabolic bone disease is a condition that affects several types of domestic reptiles. 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). Stress is very common when it comes to dragons whether it has to do with first-time relocation or just a small change in the enclosure. NAVO Revised. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inadequate UVB exposure and heat for calcium absorption, Excessive levels of vitamin A which competes with vitamin D, High phosphorus diet or improper calcium to phosphorus ratio. Signs of calcium overdose in bearded dragons includes lethargy, muscle weakness and constipation. JavaScript is disabled. Calcium, alongside vitamin D3, is arguably the most essential nutrient to bearded . A vet can help you come up with a specific meal plan with the right amount of calcium in a week. 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. While a domesticated bearded dragon is more likely to live longer than a wild one, theyre still missing out on crucial nutrients for proper growth and development that they normally get from their natural habitat. Instead, keep it simple. You might see them twitching or acting very skittish (even when the stimulation is mild). UVB radiations of only 280-320 nm wavelengths are useful for bearded dragons for vitamin D production in their skin. Alternatively, you can buy a UV meter to the UVB output of the lamp. Keep an eye on the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in fruits and veggies. It can be very dangerous and even lead to death if not properly cared for. Drinking plenty of water: Staying hydrated may lower blood calcium levels, and it can help prevent kidney stones. Lethargy is often characterized by inactivity and unresponsiveness. Its important to note that each of these should not be used on their own. Oonincx, D. G. A. Avoid mixing vitamins and calcium in the water. The liver metabolises vitamin D2 into 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, and vitamin D3 into 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Dubia roaches ate a hole in the egg cartons. Therefore even if you must drive a long distance for a proper vet, itll be worth it in the end. Some tweaks to the bearded dragons diet that will help with getting calcium right are: Foods high in calcium that you can feed as part of a varied diet include: Foods with an inverse Ca:P ratio cannot always be avoided but some are higher than others and should be used with caution, if at all. Shop Now, Email us at: [emailprotected]Phone: (513) 208-3321. More: Best antibiotics for bearded dragons! Metabolic Bone Disease or MBD is a disease that weakens the bones of your bearded dragon due to lack of calcium, vitamin D3 and Phosphorus in their diets. Bearded dragons may be fed calcium with or without vitamin D3. Hypocalcaemia is low levels calcium in the blood. If you make a change in the tank whether it's just taking a rock out, changing where the basking spots are, or switching . Your concern regarding the overuse of D3 or any other multivitamins is certainly legitimate. Both are inversely related and negatively affect the level of each other. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice. Other vitamins. [Answered]. Read on to find out more about why Bearded Dragons need calcium, how to tell if . Manyexperienced Dragon Keepers will recommend providing your beardie with a multivitamin in addition to calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements. We also ask other owners what theyre using to see what everyone likes! Calcium is pretty useless without D 3. There are a ton of great food options out there that are very calcium-rich, but there are a few that we like the most. Bearded dragons are a very popular pet and many people bathe. This is actually a common mistake because inexperienced owners go overboard in an attempt to avoid the list of awful symptoms we mentioned above. The most susceptible to NSHP are: To protect your bearded dragon from the totally preventable disease nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) or metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons, see the linked post by Dr Buchanan (DVM). The effects of hypocalcemia mostly involve the muscles being more excitable. A bearded dragon's beard is also black, his face, limbs, and tail are all pale, and his head is turning black. Calcium is essential for growth in bearded dragons. (5 weight loss tips). Always check with your vet before determining supplements. Aug 12, 2010. Babies, for instance, will benefit from having their food dusted with calcium powder about 4-5 times a week, while adults should have their food dusted around 3 times a week or essentially every other day. The nutritional demands of adults is 1.5:1 and in egg laying periods it reaches up to the level of 10:1. The reason is not clear but there is potential for it to be for a dietary reason including access to minerals. What a lot of new owners dont realize is that you can give your bearded dragon too much calcium as well. Calcium, vitamin D3, or phosphorous deficiency. This process is often called dusting among owners, so if you see that mentioned in a forum or on social media youll know whats being talked about. This species cant get all their calcium from supplementation alone! Sufficient exposure to UVB light, is necessary. Lets go over the causes, signs, and treatment of hypercalcemia in bearded dragons. Keep your dragon happy and thriving by providing a balanced diet, proper UVB lighting, and adequate supplements. Bearded dragons dont get calcium dusting in the wild but they are very good at converting UVB radiation (sunlight) into vitamin D3. (2018). If your bearded dragon is doing fine so far (aka not exhibiting any of the symptoms we mentioned above) then dont rush out and change everything. Lets say you have one of the best cages for bearded dragons and a high-quality light. Small portions occasionally may be okay for a healthy bearded dragon. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam. Dead bugs? B. G., Heijboer, A. C., van Leeuwen, J. P. T. M., Hendriks, J. P. & Kik, M. (2013). Rickets and osteoporosis in Xenopus laevis. along with pain for your bearded dragon as the . In most cases, the excess calcium in your blood was leached from your bones, which weakens them. Be aware that you can overdose on vitamin D3. A comparison of UV b compact lamps in enabling cutaneous vitamin D synthesis in growing bearded dragons. You may find that your dragon isnt moving around as much as it used to and/or climbing around a lot less. So which one is it? There are other methods as well that come in a liquid form. Seizure, twitching, lethargy, and turning . Each of them has vitamin D3 included (something that not all powders have) because its just a more straightforward and sensible way to approach supplementation. Burimi 's desc original0030.blogspot.com While this isnt always a surefire sign that the problem is a calcium overdose, loss of appetite can be related to another issue. In fact, a lack of vitamin D3 or dietary calcium are sighted as the main 2 . Bearded Dragons that don't get enough calcium can suffer from serious health conditions such as metabolic bone disease.
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