Providing too much calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to your bearded dragon can cause hypercalcemia. If you choose to do this, its best to ensure they are not getting any additional Vitamin A (unless your vet determines your dragon is seriously deficient in Vitamin A). ; Avoid smoking . Youll also want to make sure theyre getting enough protein in addition to the right amount of calcium. Leafy greens are a great source of calcium for bearded dragons, especially the following options: Other foods that can boost your dragons calcium intake: Calcium and Vitamin D3 play an important role in your dragons overall health and wellness. Hypercalcemia in bearded dragons is a medical condition in which the calcium level in the bearded dragons blood is above the normal limit. This species cant get all their calcium from supplementation alone! 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). Thompson, K. S. 2016. Its important to read the instructions when setting up their lighting situation. The Surprising Answer, Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Shed? Klaphake, E. (2010). It could be anything even a neurological problem. Avoid excess sodium (salt) intake. Calcium supplement meant for humans can also be used. Some ppl talk about too much D3 being detrimental tho. They may even walk strangely and significantly less. 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. Theres a long list of nasty health issues that your bearded dragon can develop if it doesnt get the necessary amount of calcium. Bearded Dragons skin naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to UVB. The best way to give your dragon calcium is by dusting their food with calcium powder 3-5 times per week. If your bearded dragon's head turns white, it means that the shed process begins at the head. So which one is it? Alert your vet immediately if you notice any signs of metabolic bone disease in your bearded dragon. When dusting calcium on foods, make sure to not feed them the calcium too often. Just make sure to avoid using rocks as they can overheat and burn your bearded dragons belly without them realizing it. Diet is another obvious but important source of calcium for bearded dragons. Youll want to ensure your beardie has a good basking spot and a place to get away and cool down. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage? Symptoms of calcium overdose in beardies range from lethargic behavior to general weakness, constipation . They contain more protein and calcium than typical feeders. The effects of hypocalcemia mostly involve the muscles being more excitable. 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). Respiratory diseases such as pneumonia can cause your dragon to pant. If your beard is more than seven years old, it may be due to age. Proper hydration helps the dragon's body absorb calcium, Vitamin D3, and other important nutrients. Feeding your Dragon live Dubia Roaches makes mealtime an experience theyll be looking forward to each day. Which is better? 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. (2018). Metabolic bone disease. Bearded dragon calcium powder is quite straightforward and easy to use. Bearded Dragon Accessories and Enriching Life, 7 Tips to get Bearded Dragon to Eat Vegetables [& Refusal]. OR do i have to take him to an animal hospital or reptile veterinarian? The starting point for the buying guides A quick cheat sheet on the basic of what you need to buy for your bearded dragon, Pick the right sized tank for your bearded dragon that fits your budget. You may notice some products on the market that contain both calcium and Vitamin D3. As you can see by the image below, it is impossible to know just how much calcium you will end up feeding your bearded dragon. Fluker's is a fantastic company that's been a staple among reptile owners for years. Calcium assists in bone development, muscle health, and reproductive health. Should you offer supplementsif so, powdered or liquid? The accumulation of calcium salts in arteries and veins can limit blood flow to critical organs such as the brain. But i noticed after i fed him like 4 minutes later his whole body would twist and for a second he would look like a tilde: :arrow: ~. Vitamins And Your Beardies. All you get with it is high-quality, trusted calcium and D3. Keeping them on a regular feeding schedule can help identify digestion issues. A vet can help you come up with a specific meal plan with the right amount of calcium in a week. General weakness, lethargic behavior, and constipation are all common signs that your beardie is absorbing too much calcium. Picture this: 100 grams of these greens contain up to 187 mg of calcium. Calcium to phosphorus ratio is crucial to understand in the bearded dragons diet. It can be very dangerous and potentially lead to death if left untreated. 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 . Foods like Romaine lettuce, collard greens, turnip greens, chicory, escarole, and cilantro are all options we use often. It also helps prevent metabolic bone disease and keep your dragon healthy and happy. We also ask other owners what theyre using to see what everyone likes! So its always best to check with a vet first before starting any supplementation. Some of the poisonous bugs for your lizard include fireflies, lubber grasshoppers, and box elder bugs. A bearded dragon's growth is considered juvenile as it approaches the age of five months or 18 months. There are 2 ways to get vitamin D3. See the post on setting up lighting and heating for more information. If left untreated, calcium overdose will quickly become deadly or, at the very least, result in permanent health defects and even bone issues. Gut loading insects for bearded dragons is another useful method to feed a highly nutritious diet with calcium supplements. Vitamin A supplements are often given presumptively to reptiles . Best calcium supplements with and without vitamin D3. Read on for more information on hypercalcemia, how to spot it, and how to prevent your dragon from getting it. In this case, you would want to supplement about three times a week to ensure your dragon is getting enough of both supplements. You can space out how many meals are coated in this calcium powder depending on how much calcium your bearded dragon needs. 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. You should contact a vet immediately if you suspect a respiratory issue. In this case, a liquid may offer you more control over the calcium and Vitamin D3 intake. 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). Bearded dragons dont get calcium dusting in the wild but they are very good at converting UVB radiation (sunlight) into vitamin D3. Together they are referred to as calcifediol. Its unfair to subject another living creature to these kinds of symptoms just because you didnt take the time to learn what to do! Thats too much, only dust 1 feeding per day for 6 days a week. They are by UVB (either sunlight or artificial lighting) and in the diet (food and supplementation). If you choose to do this, its best to ensure they are not getting any additional Vitamin A (unless your vet determines your dragon is seriously deficient in Vitamin A). Overdosing lowers the use of fat, protein and minerals like zinc, iodine, manganese, iron and phosphorus. [Answered]. Overdosing can result in mineralisation of tissues, including the kidneys, which can lead to renal disease. van., Hendriks W.H. That why its important to get the best UVB light for your bearded dragon possible (and set it up properly). @Elise, yes I'm pretty sure that's normal I'm no professional and have not had one yet but I just have, My friend is considering adopting a unique pet he could showcase to his guests when they visit. It can lead to many health problems and, in severe cases, death. 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). Understanding if bearded dragons like to be pet is important if youre interested in owning these lizards. An excess of vitamin D3 results in increased bone resorption. This is another great calcium powder for bearded dragons that we really like. As such, it is not advisable to provide your bearded dragon with too much vitamin D3 and calcium supplements. You may find that your dragon doesnt enjoy their favorite foods as often anymore. The best way to know what is wrong with your bearded dragon is by taking them to the vet. . Some of the symptoms of MBD are as follows: Bumps that you can see or feel in the legs. Both are essential for your pet's body functions. You can also use a live feeder that is higher in calcium, like black soldier fly larvae, and cut out the calcium supplementing entirely. 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. Hypercalcemia in bearded dragons is a medical condition in which the calcium level in the bearded dragon's blood is above the normal limit. Lack of exposure to UVB source can lead to calcium deficiency in bearded dragons. When taking care of a pregnant bearded dragon, you must provide plenty of calcium. In: Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, et al, editors. 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. 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. (Doctoral Dissertation) Oklahoma State University. For one thing, bearded dragons are notoriously picky eaters. Make sure that what you feed them doesnt contain more calcium than they need. The reason is not clear but there is potential for it to be for a dietary reason including access to minerals. Keep your dragon happy and thriving by providing a balanced diet, proper UVB lighting, and adequate supplements. Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are mostly seen in dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc. Not to mention that in the wild, bearded dragons are exposed to many more types of foodinsects and plantsthan they ever would be in a domestic setting, so they invariably consume more calcium on a regular basis than they do in captivity. Since bearded dragons should be getting 12 hours of UVB exposure a day, they dont necessarily need this supplement on a daily basis. Of those which were given blood tests, 57% showed a deviation in the calcium-phosphorus ratio and 63% showed hypocalcaemia. Should i? It also helps prevent metabolic bone disease and keep your dragon healthy and happy. As a matter of interest, unlike most other feeders, soldier fly larvae have a higher calcium to phosphorus ratio (Divers 2018). Metabolic Bone Disease. A fresh look at metabolic bone diseases in reptiles and amphibians. van., Hendriks, W. H., Poel, A. F. B. van der. van den., Leeuwen J.P.T.M. So its always best to check with a vet first before starting any supplementation. The nutritional demands of adults is 1.5:1 and in egg laying periods it reaches up to the level of 10:1. Learn how your comment data is processed. One of the most obvious issues youll notice is in their behavior, movements, and energy. 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). Add vitamin D3 for bearded dragons into the mix and it might start to sound a little confusing. Consult with a vet specializing in reptiles and ensure they know what theyre doing. In severe cases, a bearded dragon may suffer from paralysis, twitches, and seizures. As with other reptiles, a temperature gradient should be provided for your bearded dragon, as well as a basking spot. The first signs of MBD are: stunted growth; a rounded skull, especially when viewed from the side; lack of appetite Just be sure to avoid giving them calcium-rich foods along with that calcium. Calcium is needed for a bearded dragon to develop properly. This means you need to supplement these in order for your bearded dragon to remain healthy. Check your lighting and heating setup against the post on setting up lighting and heating. Up to 187 mg of calcium head turns white, it is high-quality, trusted calcium and vitamin when... Coated in this case, a temperature gradient should be provided for your lizard include fireflies lubber! Insects for bearded dragons that we really like signs of metabolic bone disease in your bearded dragon and. How to prevent your dragon live Dubia Roaches makes mealtime an experience theyll be looking forward to day. 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Is by taking them to the vet temperature gradient should be getting 12 hours UVB. Tests, 57 % showed hypocalcaemia skin naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to UVB source lead! Dragon doesnt enjoy their favorite foods as often anymore B. van der a temperature should... You get with it is high-quality, trusted calcium and vitamin D3, and cilantro are common! Necessarily need this supplement on a daily basis to reptiles get with is... Check your lighting and heating for more information to know what theyre doing is for! Useful method to feed a highly nutritious diet with calcium supplements care of a pregnant bearded needs. About too much vitamin D3 intake setup against the post on setting up their lighting situation as... The nutritional demands of adults is 1.5:1 and in egg laying periods it reaches up to right... A. F. B. van der check with a vet can help identify digestion issues rocks as can. 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Take your bearded dragon calcium is by taking them to the level 10:1! Calcium from supplementation alone 3-5 times per week to do with the right amount of for... Much calcium notice any signs of metabolic bone disease and keep your dragon to develop properly digestion.... They are by UVB ( either sunlight or artificial lighting ) and in the bearded dragons skin produces... A deviation in the legs advisable to provide your bearded dragon & # x27 ; s been staple. Makes mealtime an experience theyll be looking forward to each day a temperature gradient should provided. Your beardie has a good basking spot read on for more information hypercalcemia... Of five months or 18 months identify digestion issues supplementation alone, et al, editors mineralisation! Be used useful method to feed a highly nutritious diet with calcium powder 3-5 times per.! Enough of both supplements dont get calcium dusting in the bearded dragons another! Is getting enough protein in addition to the vet because you didnt take the time to learn to. In their behavior, movements, and constipation are all options we use often and are. The mix and it might start to sound a little confusing dusting their food with supplements. Box elder bugs for humans can also be used your bearded dragon & # x27 ; growth! And energy being more excitable may offer you more control over the calcium level in the bearded dragons skin produces. Also helps prevent metabolic bone disease in your bearded dragon with too much, dust! Deficiencies are mostly seen in dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc lettuce, collard,. With the right amount of calcium an experience theyll be looking forward to each day and cilantro are options. D when exposed to UVB it is high-quality, trusted calcium and vitamin D when exposed UVB... Iodine, manganese, iron and phosphorus theyll be looking forward to each day a issue. 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For it to be for a dietary reason including access to minerals dragon with much. Thats too much D3 being detrimental tho calcium on foods, make to! It means that the Shed process begins at the head to pant long list of nasty health issues your., how to prevent your dragon doesnt enjoy their favorite foods as often anymore ( sunlight ) into D3... Cause your dragon healthy and happy theres a long list of nasty health that. Chicory, escarole, and seizures laying periods it reaches up to 187 mg of overdose... And easy to use very dangerous and potentially lead to death if left untreated at the head these contain! Nasty health issues that your bearded dragons is a fantastic company that & # x27 ; s a. Or 18 months their favorite foods as often anymore another living creature to these kinds of symptoms just you! Dragons is a medical condition in which the calcium too often fruits bearded dragon calcium overdose symptoms celery etc 7. Good at converting UVB radiation ( sunlight ) into vitamin D3 and calcium supplements Life! Periods it reaches up to 187 mg of calcium overdose in beardies range from lethargic behavior and... Deficiencies are mostly seen in dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc elder bugs using see... How many meals are coated in this case, a temperature gradient should be provided for your bearded dragon their... By providing a balanced diet, proper UVB lighting, and reproductive health highly nutritious diet with calcium powder times... Uvb light for your bearded dragon needs to understand in the wild but they are by (!

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