Seizure, twitching, lethargy, and turning . Hypercalcemia will result in your bearded dragon becoming sick and, in some cases, it is fatal. Lack of exposure to UVB source can lead to calcium deficiency in bearded dragons. But in many cases, powder is quicker and easier. Signs of metabolic bone disease include: Bumps in the legs (that you can feel/see) Twitches, ticks, spasms, or tremors. Be diligent in changing out your UVB lamps as per the manufacturers instructions. These tumors have been classified as gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas (GNT), which readily spread to other organs. Be aware that you can overdose on vitamin D3. This warms the bearded dragon while bathing, but does not cause itching or discomfort. Instead, keep it simple. 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. Diet is another obvious but important source of calcium for bearded dragons. Why does your bearded dragon need calcium in the first place? van., Hendriks W.H. 2. This condition is more pronounced in baby dragons as need more amount of calcium to build their developing and growing skeleton. Therefore, we may collect a share of sales from the links on this page, at no extra cost to you! Elsevier Health Sciences. These foods can be added in small portions occasionally to a healthy bearded dragons diet (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). Small portions occasionally may be okay for a healthy bearded dragon. On the other hand, two or more symptoms are generally a sign that there is indeed a problem. MBD can be also caused by over supplementation with phosphorus (ratio of calcium : phosphorus in bearded dragon's diet is crucial and should be 2:1-2.5:1). you know that feeling when you want to change your profile picture, but like you dont want to lose the good one you have? You may find that your dragon isnt moving around as much as it used to and/or climbing around a lot less. Or if their cage doesnt have a place where they can take a break from basking? I would back down on the calcium to once a day and see if it helps. Severe hypercalcemia can lead to bone deformation, kidney damage, and death in bearded dragons. 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). So its down to powder or liquid. Absorbed vitamin D can be stored in the body such as the fat tissue, liver and kidneys. Vitamin D3 is required for calcium absorption and metabolism. Obtain a significant portion of your dietary intake of calcium from plant-based foods. 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. Please answer quick. Beta caroteneis a lot safer than Vitamin A because of the way your dragons body will absorb it. Vitamin D3 makes it possible for the dragons body to absorb calcium from their digestive system. Beardies are not completely covered in dirt. There are a couple of ways to go about this: You probably would have preferred I gave you an outright amount. The table below shows general estimates of how much the average bearded dragon would need: Age Dosage Frequency Baby bearded dragons Daily Juvenile bearded dragons One dose 3-4 times per week Adult dragons One dose per week. Alongside vitamin D3, calcium is probably the most vital nutrient for a bearded dragons health. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is caused by a lack of Calcium, Vitamin D3, and/or Phosphorus and is the weakening of the bones of your bearded dragon. 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. Artificial lighting is not as effective as the sun and there are many errors by novice keepers that exaggerate the problem. Remember there are two ways to get vitamin D3, UVB light and orally through food and supplementation. If left untreated, calcium overdose will quickly become deadly or, at the very least, result in permanent health defects and even bone issues. Manyexperienced Dragon Keepers will recommend providing your beardie with a multivitamin in addition to calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements. If the water is too cold, a bearded dragon can get sick. 1. Calcium is critical during their development; and. Hydration is essential for good health, but it is possible to overdo things. Stahl, S., and Donoghue, S. Nutrition of Reptiles. Baby bearded dragons require a smaller, more frequent diet due to their high metabolism. It plays a huge role in their ability to grow and maintain bone health over time. Refer to this post on how much light they need. Proper lighting and a balanced diet is the best way to prevent hypercalcemia. So its always best to check with a vet first before starting any supplementation. It may also be drooping down, and their beards may be black due to stress and discomfort. [Answered]. Dusting salad and insects with a high-quality calcium and D3 supplement is the most effective. Schmidt-Ukaj S., Hochleithner M., Richter B., Hochleithner C., Brandstetter D., Knotek Z. Hypercalcemia can lead to weakness, lethargy, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite. van., Hendriks, W. H., Poel, A. F. B. van der. While kale can be a staple food, it should also be part of a varied diet. While theyre only insects the process of gut loading is not good for their health. The effects of hypocalcemia mostly involve the muscles being more excitable. 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. We know how much you love your Dragon and we want to make it easy to show how much you care. This calcium powder is great because its one of the best mixtures in terms of impurities. Topeka (KS): Mark Morris Institute; 2010. 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. Calcium. If you don't have a mercury vapor bulb (think of the REALLY strong, high-priced reptile bulbs, such as the . They should have enough space in the enclosure to move around and also something to climb onto to bask. They end up not being able to move around as easily without experiencing pain and stiffness in their body. Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the body) is rare in bearded dragons, but it can happen, and it can result in illness and death. Delight Your Reptile with Our Premium Dubia Roaches! You can prevent hypercalcemia by feeding your bearded dragon the right amount of calcium. 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. Dusting refers to coating food (both vegetables and insects) with powder supplements before being eaten. Reptile medicine and surgery. (2014). The Exo Terra calcium liquid offers high absorption, passing the liquid directly into the small intestine. Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. Help them feel a little more like the predator they were born to be. 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. 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. Alternatively, you can buy a UV meter to the UVB output of the lamp. A beardie that doesnt get enough of this will suffer (which no one wants). Som. The taste of the water is unpalatable and it will increase bacteria (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). 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. Now, Whether You Need Calcium With or Without Vitamin D3 . This is something we think about a lot, and are constantly testing. 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. Do not drop him or pull him away forcefully to prevent tearing your skin open. 1-3 Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that it dissolves in fats and oils, and is a major part of commercially prepared diets. The fact that your beardie has hypercalcemia does not necessarily mean that it will die. Additionally, a lack of calcium in a bearded dragons diet can cause severe health complications. A calcium overdose in a bearded dragon can be very serious and even life-threatening. Bearded Dragons require an ultraviolet light to be fully healthy (and when combined with calcium supplements helps to prevent Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Metabolic Bone Disease). This liquid calcium has been carefully formulated for amphibians and reptiles. Of course, always check with your vet first, especially if your beardie is a rescue or if you notice any signs of illness (especially MBD). If your bearded dragon's head turns white, it means that the shed process begins at the head. B., Van De Wal, M. D., Bosch, G., Stumpel, J. Almost 19% of the bearded dragons had musculoskeletal disorders with the most prevalent being osteodystrophy and limb fractures. 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. Getting calcium for bearded dragons right is crucial for good health. There have been reports of some lumps here and there, so we always like to grind it up a little bit more just to be safe. Proper egg development & good reproductive health in females. Other sources for how bearded dragons get calcium in the wild include dried bones, snail shells and potentially chalky rock dust. A pet bearded dragon requires calcium powder in his diet. Of course. Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the body) is rare in bearded dragons, but it can happen, and it can result in illness and death. Yes, you must provide calcium for your bearded dragon. Depending on their age and size, theyll require a certain amount of veggies, protein, and calcium. Metabolic bone disease. Thompson, K. S. 2016. This can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination. Bearded dragons that are provided with time outdoors in direct sunlight will need lower supplementation, unlike those kept indoor. Below is a list of the most common diseases in bearded dragons. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Heat? Its also a good idea to ensure that the temperature of the room they are being kept in isnt affected by the weather outside. Bearded dragons are susceptible to calcium overdoses, which can lead to a variety of symptoms including lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite, and twitching. 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. If the urates are not bright white and are of a different color then yes it is possible. This is a very common sign of hypercalcemia and should be looked into by a vet right away. The mixture is extremely fine which makes it easier to digest. And it worked. Some supplement manufacturers such as Vetark have brought their measures down to pinches, This may make it easy to follow however keep in mind some of the variables that influence how much calcium supplementation is required: It is not enough to just give calcium to your bearded dragon; it must also be in the right ratio. This is another great calcium powder for bearded dragons that we really like. Cusack, L., Rivera, S., Lock, B., Benboe, D., Brothers, D., & Divers, S. (2017). Avoid mixing vitamins and calcium in the water. Most often seen in bearded dragons with weak or no UVB exposure. As a generalisation, the recommendation of numerous veterinarians, researchers and herpetologists, suggest you should give your bearded dragon calcium and vitamin D3 supplement as follows: Shortest answer is yes you should give your bearded dragon D3 (cholecalciferol). Kindly take your bearded dragon to an experienced vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. Bearded Dragons that don't get enough calcium can suffer from serious health conditions such as metabolic bone disease. 1. In fact, calcium wont be of any importance to your bearded dragon if there is no vitamin D3. Check your lighting and heating setup against the post on setting up lighting and heating. Recently, I watched. Oonincx, D. G. A. Is it necessary? Most vitamin D3 and calcium supplements will also have phosphorous. See the frequency for dusting (feeding calcium) further down this post. Simply revisit the recommended setup guidelines in order to ensure you have everything positioned properly. Mesh screens reduce the amount of UVB that transmits through it. multiple hours per week), oral D3 supplementation should be reduced or not fed at all. Another issue Dragon Keepers wonder about is exactly how often they need to provide supplements with calcium and Vitamin D3. Its also important to note that weakness can be a sign of the enclosure being too hot or too cold. All rights reserved. Avoid supplements containing Vitamin A; opt for beta carotene instead. Both are inversely related and negatively affect the level of each other. If youre certain theres something that needs to be addressed, improve it slowly. Calcium Supplements. Metabolic bone disease. Ask your vet how much water is recommended for your bearded dragon's situation, and make sure the water bowl isn't too deep. This particularly applies when the bearded dragon is on a calcium-rich diet. There are other methods as well that come in a liquid form. For most species, 0.1% calcium appears adequate for a maintenance diet. We are not licensed veterinarians. General weakness, lethargic behavior, and constipation are all common signs that your beardie is absorbing too much calcium. You can space out how many meals are coated in this calcium powder depending on how much calcium your bearded dragon needs. Furthermore, why bearded dragons require calcium powder in the first place, and how it is made. Youll also want to make sure theyre getting enough protein in addition to the right amount of calcium. A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. This is controlled by some hormones such as calcitonin, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D3 (an accessory hormone). If you notice any signs of discomfort in your bearded dragon, it could be that they are in pain. Mild cases can be treated by proper diet. Should you offer supplementsif so, powdered or liquid? Flukers is a fantastic company thats been a staple among reptile owners for years. Its unfair to subject another living creature to these kinds of symptoms just because you didnt take the time to learn what to do! In captivity, they are typically kept indoors in artificial lighting. Most commonly, the cause is a hard substrate such as sand, or chitin shells of insects that are too hard to digest, such as beetles or mealworms. That is for you and your vet to determine. Watson, M. K., & Mitchell, M. A. Too much calcium is called hypercalcemia, and this condition happens in lizards when they eat more than their bodies need. However, where sunlight is provided on a regular basis (i.e. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. 100% Satisfaction All Winter! I like your, I found it interesting when you explained how you'd bond with your pet snake and improve recognition. 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. What calcium-rich foods are good for your bearded dragon? Food alone isnt going to provide them with everything they need. Proper temperatures in the tank are extremely important. It's caused by calcium and vitamin D deficiency, which is often the result of poor diet and inadequate lighting (a lack of UVA and UVB). Technically supplements can be given by injection, but this would usually only be in the case of a vet treating a dragon for metabolic bone disease or another condition which would require such an intervention. At night, keep the enclosure at around 70-75 degrees fahrenheit (21-24 celcius). Aside from aneurysms, here are the other common medical conditions you should be wary of when you are caring for a Bearded Dragon. Keep an eye on the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in fruits and veggies. While bearded dragons are naturally pretty hardy, that isn't to say that they can't develop serious health issues! Calcium is nothing to your dragon without Vitamin D3. 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.