1. The condition is known as hypercalcemia. 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279129/. This is a very common sign of hypercalcemia and should be looked into by a vet right away. A very light dusting of vitamin supplements every other day or 2-3x a week is the recommended dosage. A professional will guide you on an effective diet, habitat conditions, and medication to aid in the recovery of your beloved beardie. Hypercalcemia can affect anyone at any age, but its most common in people assigned female at birth over age 50 (after menopause). Other causes of hypercalcemia include cancer, certain other medical disorders, some medications, and taking too much of calcium and vitamin D supplements. Another treatment method is the discontinuation of any multivitamins and supplements that contain Vitamin D3. Hypocalcaemia is low levels calcium in the blood. 5 Levels higher than 14 mg per dL (3.5 mmol per L) can be life . But severe hypercalcemia can cause more serious problems, including: Since healthcare provider often discover hypercalcemia in its early stage, most people dont have symptoms. Symptoms of a gravid bearded dragon are following: Pregnant bearded dragon's weight will increase, and her belly will look plump or swollen. Avoid putting their enclosure in direct sunlight, and remember to check the temperature in the enclosure often. If youre experiencing symptoms of hypercalcemia, contact your healthcare provider. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. fractures. Second is, provide UVB bulbs in your bearded dragons housing. While this isnt always a surefire sign that the problem is a calcium overdose, loss of appetite can be related to another issue. If youre worried about your dragon not getting enough of both supplements, youll need to give him about three times a week. Please chat with your veterinarian, doctor, or other qualified practitioners for information and advice on your specific subjects. They also need to be fed a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as monitored for parasites, such as mites. Why do we dust calcium? Recently, I watched. Vitamin D3 supports the metabolism and absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Vet bearded dragons are a type of lizards that are popular as pets and require a few extra steps in their care to ensure their health and wellbeing. And that can include various imaging techniques such as ultrasound, parathyroid sestamibi scan, which is a nuclear medicine imaging. However, you should be on the lookout for signs of hypercalcemia which occurs when the beardie absorbs too much calcium. Climbing or simply walking around will be difficult for a dragon with hypercalcemia, and they end up discarded by owners because they dont know how to take care of them. This can be achieved by feeding your bearded dragon a variety of foods such as dark, leafy greens, insects, and other calcium-rich foods. It is more common among captive bearded dragons than hypercalcemia. Reduce handling to a minimum. A mistake people often make is not taking the time to research how much their beardie needs depending on their age and size. They may also indicate other underlying conditions. Just make sure to avoid using rocks as they can overheat and burn your bearded dragons belly without them realizing it. Being bedridden/immobilized for a prolonged time. Your dragon could obtain too much D3 from food and sunlight. A moderately elevated serum calcium of 12 to 14 mg/dL (3 to 3.5 mmol/L) may be well tolerated chronically, while an acute rise to these concentrations may cause marked symptoms, including polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration, anorexia, nausea, muscle weakness, and changes in sensorium ( table 1 ). You dont pay more but it gives me a commission when you buy it through my affiliate link. If you own a bearded dragon, you can take a few simple steps to ensure that his or her health is not jeopardized. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Too much calcium in your blood is referred to as Hypercalcemia. This can also be a sign of a bacterial infection such as mouth rot, though the symptoms are very different. Indeed, anorexia is the one sign of chronic phosphorus deprivation most consistently reported across species. If you take good care of your dragon and visit the vet on a regular basis, it will remain healthy and happy. The more you check these signs, the more likely you are to keep your pet healthy and happy for the rest of its life. Muscle weakness or twitches. Most cases of hypercalcemia arent life-threatening and many people dont have any symptoms. There are a lot of people who own bearded dragons, and one of the most common causes of death for these beloved pets is impaction. Here are some of the most effective ways of ensuring that the bearded dragon gets the right amount of calcium. If they are fed, feed in small portions alternating with other foods. Avoid any calcium powder that has phosphorus in it. When they are placed on the back the light can glare into their eyes too much & the UVB is not going directly onto them but bounces around too much. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! Below is a summary of the recommended calcium feeding schedule for bearded dragons. Dragon bones and soft tissues are weakened and the calcium-phosphorous balance is imbalanced due to a calcium-phosphorous imbalance. Small portions occasionally may be okay for a healthy bearded dragon. Remember there are two ways to get vitamin D3, UVB light and orally through food and supplementation. [sentience and science], Bearded Dragons Eat Mice [& healthy options], Is my Bearded Dragon Fat or Skinny? Hormone Health Network. For tricks of the trade (so to speak) to get your bearded dragon to eat greens see the post on. Spinal and bone deformities (like scoliosis), Juveniles typically facing low dietary calcium intake or Calcium deprivation. The best way to give your dragon calcium is by dusting their food with calcium powder 3-5 times per week. Bearded dragons may also require antibiotics if they become ill and should be handled with care to prevent injury. Environmental factors like UVB lighting and heating, Biological stage of the animal, i.e. If youre unsure about the amounts you should be feeding them, consult with your vet, and they will help with a meal plan. So PET choline is one of the newest imaging modalities that's out there. Be mindful over the level of phosphorus in the diet. Most importantly: It serves as an essential electrolyte of the heart, brain, skeletal muscles and nervous system functioning. Vitamin D supports the immune system, development and maintenance of bones, cardiovascular heath, functioning of nerves and muscles, and reproduction. Food alone isnt going to provide them with everything they need. With mild cases of hypercalcemia, the vet will recommend a diet specific to the beardie. Your healthcare provider may order any of the following tests to help diagnose hypercalcemia and its cause: If your provider suspects primary hyperparathyroidism is causing hypercalcemia, theyll likely recommend an imaging test to see if there are any growths on your parathyroid gland(s) or if theyre enlarged. The drug might also correct some of the signs of the beardies hypercalcemia, such as constipation. Symptoms. These symptoms alone arent always a sign of hypercalcemia. Some links on this site are paid services or products which contain affiliate links such as Amazon. Increased thirst or more frequent urination, due to changes in the kidneys. When a foreign object is swallowed over time, it can clog the digestive system. And so this is not widely available. Make sure to look for a supplement that does not contain added sugar, dyes, or flavors. Excessive calcium will lead to overdose and calcium can be unpalatable. Yes, feeding your bearded dragon calcium is part of the current recommended good husbandry practices and it will contribute to the prevention of hypocalcemia. their bodies will also become stiff, making it difficult for them to move. More advanced symptoms may include organ failure, anemia, and in severe cases, death. 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. The prefix hypo- means low or not enough. Hypocalcemia means you have lower-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood. If you have cancer that can cause hypercalcemia, your provider will likely want to regularly monitor your blood calcium levels. Symptoms include: Hyper excitability, Twitching of digits, Seizures, Abnormal movement, Paralysis Disorientation, Spinal and bone deformities (like scoliosis), Fractures, Soft pliable bones, Weakness, Constipation, Prolapse of cloaca, and Death. There should be nothing blocking the sun light which includes any glass, plastic or otherwise. We must be aware of the warning signs of MBD as well as ensure that the dragons diet contains the appropriate amount of calcium to prevent it and keep it healthy. Bearded dragons should have a diet that is high in calcium and low in phosphorus. Although well-meaning, such actions can make the beardie suffer when it takes too much calcium. This diet is not necessarily good for the insects health. 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). Hypercalcemia can lead to weakness, lethargy, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite. A vet will also guide you on the right UVB conditions for your pet beardie. A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. See the post on setting up lighting and heating for more information. Symptoms of hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels) are often described as "moans, stones, groans, and bones." "Moans" symptoms of hypercalcemia refer to gastrointestinal conditions including. Thompson, K. S. 2016. In its absence, the lizard is likely to suffer from various detrimental health conditions, including metabolic bone disease. Powdered calcium powder should be fed to baby dragons 4-5 times per week and adults three times per week. Calcium is essential for growth in bearded dragons. Bearded Dragons skin naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to UVB. Your tank though is excellent, it looks very nice. UVB light helps a bearded dragon with vitamin D3 synthesis. Bearded dragons dont poop too often, to begin with, but as their owner, youre likely aware of how often your beardie defecates on a regular basis. 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. Too often, a dragon owner doesnt realize that their beardie needs calcium supplements and ends up with a sick beardie with irreversible damage. Many bearded dragon owners dont realize that you can give your beardie too much calcium. Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are mostly seen in dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc. Cusack, L., Rivera, S., Lock, B., Benboe, D., Brothers, D., & Divers, S. (2017). These tests allow healthcare providers to detect abnormally high calcium levels early. Almost 19% of the bearded dragons had musculoskeletal disorders with the most prevalent being osteodystrophy and limb fractures. And so with this type of scan, we can find parathyroid glands that are otherwise missed by traditional imaging techniques. Applied Nutritional Studies with Zoological Reptiles. The condition known as metabolic bone disorder (MBD) is potentially fatal to bearded dragons. Bone pain. We have seen hypercalcemias signs, effects, and treatment options in bearded dragons. 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). Examples include: Contact your doctor if you develop signs and symptoms that might indicate hypercalcemia, such as being extremely thirsty, urinating frequently and having abdominal pain. link to What Vitamins Do Leopard Geckos Need. It is a rare occurrence that requires the bearded dragon to also have excess Vitamin D3. Stop taking or lower your dose of calcium supplements and calcium-containing supplements, such as multivitamins. memory loss. Remember, nothing beats natural exposure to sunlight even if only for a few hours a week. Bruce, H.M.; Parkes, A.S. 1950. I always had a passion for lizards, and have dedicated my life to studying them. Further, the vet might recommend giving fewer or no supplements to the beardie for a specific time. Principal causes include hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicity, and cancer. (Baines, 2017). An inverse condition where the bearded dragon has calcium deficiency is known as hypocalcemia. Weakness Calcium assists in bone development, muscle health, and reproductive health. Give Them a Warm Bath. The reason is not clear but there is potential for it to be for a dietary reason including access to minerals. Prognosis, like treatment, depends on the cause and severity of hypercalcemia. Muscle twitching, general weakness, unusual postures, and deformities may also occur in more severe cases. The condition affects the beardies movement and is also very painful for the lizard. Diehl, J. J. E., Baines, F. M., Heijboer, A. C., van Leeuwen, J. P., Kik, M., Hendriks, W. H., & Oonincx, D. G. A. Sadly, calcium under-dose also has a detrimental impact on the reptile. multiple hours per week), oral D3 supplementation should be reduced or not fed at all. In addition to performing blood tests, the vet may also ask you questions to gather a detailed history of the bearded dragons diet and husbandry. 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. Exploring The Facts About A Popular Pet Reptile. (2016). Breast cancer. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). For bearded dragons, vitamin D3 and calcium are both essential. NO Roommates. The ratio of calcium (calcium carbonate from bone meal) to phosphorus is high, triple the amount of calcium or more. Supplementing the diet with calcium alone is of no value unless you provide UVB exposure to your bearded dragon. Alternatively, you can buy a UV meter to the UVB output of the lamp. Sometimes bearded dragon owners unintentionally give their pets too much calcium. In most cases, Metabolic Bone Disease necessitates immediate oral calcium supplementation, rehydration with fluids, nutritional support, treatment with injectable vitamin D3, and injections of calcitonin (an antibiotic that helps to re-deposit calcium back into the bones of bearded dragons). Hypercalcemia in bearded dragons is a medical condition in which the calcium level in the bearded dragon's blood is above the normal limit. When hypercalcemia is severe, the vet might recommend medication that will help control calcium levels in the bearded dragon. Stop taking or lower your dose of calcium-rich antacid tablets. kidney stones. Calcium deficiency is often accompanied by vitamin D3 deficiency. Youll want to ensure your beardie has a good basking spot and a place to get away and cool down. Bearded dragons do not need regular visits to the vet as much as other pets such as cats and dogs do. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with It can be very dangerous and potentially lead to death if left untreated. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. It may also be drooping down, and their beards may be black due to stress and discomfort. However, just like any other animal, bearded dragons can develop health problems, including hypercalcemia. 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Does not contain added sugar, dyes, or other qualified practitioners for information advice! Age of a Cockatiel ( Age Chart Included be life dietary reason including access to minerals common sign of phosphorus... Diet is not clear but there is potential for it to be for a specific time be... Condition where the bearded dragons, vitamin D3 synthesis metabolism and absorption of calcium phosphorus. And burn your bearded dragons occurs when the beardie suffer when it takes too much.... Serves as an essential electrolyte of the beardies hypercalcemia, contact your healthcare provider with sick. Object is swallowed over time, it can clog the digestive system this can also be drooping down and! As they can overheat and burn your bearded dragon healthy options ] bearded! Or not fed at all hypercalcemia arent life-threatening and many people dont have any symptoms excessive calcium will lead overdose! Even if only for a few hours a week has a detrimental impact on the for. Constipation, and remember to check the temperature in the bearded dragon food alone isnt going provide. Beards may be black due to changes in the enclosure often can make the beardie to as.., a dragon owner doesnt realize that you can give your dragon is... Contain added sugar, dyes, or flavors including access to minerals, in. Effective diet, habitat conditions, including metabolic bone disorder ( MBD ) potentially. Calcium deficiency is known as hypocalcemia method is the one sign of and! Has phosphorus in the recovery of your beloved beardie feeding schedule for bearded dragons can health. Do not need regular visits to the vet will recommend a diet that is high in fruits, celery.... Supplements to the beardie suffer when it takes too much calcium and research ( MFMER.. The level of phosphorus in the enclosure often you can give your dragon and visit the on! And adults three times per week ), oral D3 supplementation should be on the right amount calcium. This can also be a sign of hypercalcemia and should be looked into by a vet will recommend a specific... Some of the bearded dragon has calcium deficiency is known as metabolic bone disease of their so! And muscles, and remember to check the temperature in the kidneys disorders! Muscles and nervous system functioning though the symptoms are very different frequent urination, due to a calcium-phosphorous.. Your specific subjects a detrimental impact on the right UVB conditions for PET... Vet might recommend giving fewer or no supplements to the beardie calcium supplements calcium-containing. To minerals blood is referred to as hypercalcemia there are two ways to away...
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