Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are mostly seen in dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc. Outside of a laboratory, its going to be impossible to be sure on how much of the calcium dusted onto insects will actually end up consumed. Of course, the exception would be a dragon who has metabolic bone disease or another condition which would require a more intense supplement regimen. Muscle contractions. multiple hours per week), oral D3 supplementation should be reduced or not fed at all. Because these tumors have only begun to be seen recently, the best treatment is yet to be found. Read on for more information on hypercalcemia, how to spot it, and how to prevent your dragon from getting it. 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. Feeding your Dragon live Dubia Roaches makes mealtime an experience theyll be looking forward to each day. Cusack, L., Rivera, S., Lock, B., Benboe, D., Brothers, D., & Divers, S. (2017). It can be very dangerous and potentially lead to death if left untreated. General weakness, lethargic behavior, and constipation are all common signs that your beardie is absorbing too much calcium. Bruce, H.M.; Parkes, A.S. 1950. At night, keep the enclosure at around 70-75 degrees fahrenheit (21-24 celcius). Setting up the lighting and heating well provides a solid foundation to build a healthy bearded dragon from. 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. Overdosing can result in mineralisation of tissues, including the kidneys, which can lead to renal disease. Bearded dragon calcium powder is quite straightforward and easy to use. Together they are referred to as calcifediol. [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. In the wild, this species heavily uses UVB rays from the sun to fulfill this requirement. [Answered]. Is it possible to give your bearded dragon too much calcium? Too much D3 leads to toxicity in the blood, which can be problematic for bone development and other body functions. In severe cases, a bearded dragon may suffer from paralysis, twitches, and seizures. Best calcium supplements with and without vitamin D3. You can get sick from touching your bearded dragon or anything in its environment, and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs. 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). The most common result of a calcium deficiency is called Metabolic Bone Disease. Your dragon could obtain too much D3 from food and sunlight. Bearded Dragon Calcium Overdose. Proper egg development & good reproductive health in females. 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). You dont want to feed your dragon foods that have a very high phosphorus content compared to the calcium content, as this will deplete your dragons calcium supply. Fortunately, this is an easy thing to fix. Normal serum calcium levels range from 8-10 mg/dL in non-laying hens, while healthy layers have calcium levels ranging from 15-30 mg/dL. Cuz i hear calcium overdose can lead to future complications Thx. 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. If the urates are not bright white and are of a different color then yes it is possible. This will, in turn, cause the bearded dragon to be less responsive to stimuli. 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. 1. Yes, bearded dragons can eat fresh kale regularly so long as it is washed and free of pesticides. Make sure your bearded dragon gets enough water. Exposure to ultraviolet light is required for the formation of Vitamin D3. Check your lighting and heating setup against the post on setting up lighting and heating. That is for you and your vet to determine. Being transparent (such as glass) does not mean it allows UVB rays to pass through it. Instead, keep it simple. The effects of Vitamin D overdose will include calcium deposits in joints and bones that shouldn't be there. The more I keep reading about the problems with the dying dragons' liver failures, etc. Weve hinted at each of them at one point or another above, but this section will take a deeper dive into each. I started doing that. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. Check the ingredients of the food before supplementing. This condition is more pronounced in baby dragons as need more amount of calcium to build their developing and growing skeleton. At the same time, no matter how good the environment and the diet, your dragon still needs supplements. So its always best to check with a vet first before starting any supplementation. ANd i am refraining from the use of calcium for 2 days just in case. However, too much of it can impact the beardies health. It could be anything even a neurological problem. Generally its safe to supplement calcium anywhere from a few times a week to once a day. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. 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). In comparison, broccoli contains only about 47 mg of calcium, while spinach bears 99 mg of the mineral per 100 grams. 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. van den., Leeuwen J.P.T.M. High levels of phosphorus cause harm. Decide what foods and times you want to feed your dragon supplements. NAVO Revised. 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. B. G., Heijboer, A. C., van Leeuwen, J. P. T. M., Hendriks, J. P. & Kik, M. (2013). It has the quality of a more expensive powder, in a cheap package. Choose a powder that has a reputation for sticking to insects. If left untreated, hypercalcemia can affect your nervous system, heart, stomach, kidneys and bones. Too much vitamin D3 in the bearded dragons blood increases the absorption of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract. Oonincx, D. G. A. But for 3 days i used no calcium, to get most of it out of his system. Too much phosphorus in the diet removes the calcium from the body. The symptoms are very similar to hypercalcemia, but the physical alterations are often more noticeable and permanent. 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 . Calcium supplementation is necessary for egg production . These foods can be added in small portions occasionally to a healthy bearded dragons diet (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). If you make a change in the tank whether it's just taking a rock out, changing where the basking spots are, or switching . It includes calcium and magnesium. They need both in order to function! Thats because its just not possible to recreate an exact replica of a dragons natural habitat, although you can come close. Hypercalcemia in bearded dragons is a medical condition in which the calcium level in the bearded dragons blood is above the normal limit. If calcium isnt something you havent been paying much attention to, its likely the opposite. Calcium is pretty useless without D 3. Getting calcium for bearded dragons right is crucial for good health. Lack of calcium in the diet, not gut-loading live feed and absence of UVB tube light in a tank will cause Metabolic bone disease.. Any broken bones can be as a result of soft bones when suffering from a deficiency. Many bearded dragons end up with preventable diseases through lack of understanding the basics of calcium and D3 supplementation. 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. Dandelion greens are some of the most calcium-rich vegetables out there. Bearded Dragons need calcium because it's essential to grow and develop bones. The disease is quite painful and very difficult to reverse. These lizards may have swollen eardrums (the visible thin film also known as tympanic membrane), discharge, hearing loss, black-brownish spots, among other symptoms. This was discussed in your other thread. Some of the symptoms of MBD are as follows: Bumps that you can see or feel in the legs. Alongside vitamin D3, calcium is probably the most vital nutrient for a bearded dragons health. Many bearded dragon owners dont realize that you can give your beardie too much calcium. Frances Baines (MRCVS). Hypercalcemia will result in your bearded dragon becoming sick and, in some cases, it is fatal. We know how much you love your Dragon and we want to make it easy to show how much you care. B., Van De Wal, M. D., Bosch, G., Stumpel, J. Expert Tip: You might also see other issues arise like seizures and constipation. See the post on setting up lighting and heating for more information. Avoid supplements containing Vitamin A; opt for beta carotene instead. Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a powder that we recommend giving a little extra love before using it. Blackberries and figs are also tasty treats that have plenty of calcium in them as well. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. you know that feeling when you want to change your profile picture, but like you dont want to lose the good one you have? If your dragon displays symptoms of hypercalcemia, it must be taken to a vet immediately. This will allow your bearded dragon to digest it more efficiently, and reduce the risk of any GI issues that lumpy powders can cause. (Baines, 2017). 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. 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. Calcium, vitamin D3, or phosphorous deficiency. Refer to this post on how much light they need. Feed your dragon calcium-rich foods that are low in phosphorus and oxalates. Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. Additionally, you can limit UVB exposure when necessary. Oxalic and phytic acids bind to calcium making it unavailable. B., Leeuwen, J. P. Why Do Ball Pythons Yawn & Should You Be Worried? 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( Stahl and Donoghue 2010 ) additionally, you can limit UVB exposure necessary! Common signs that your beardie is absorbing too much calcium but this section will take a deeper into... Yet to be seen recently, the best treatment is yet to be.! Dragon too much D3 from food and sunlight overdosing can result in your bearded dragon may suffer paralysis! In dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc D deficiencies are seen. Against the post on setting up lighting and heating well provides a solid to! Alongside vitamin D3, calcium is probably the most common result of a dragons natural habitat, although can. Want to make it easy to use: bearded dragon calcium overdose symptoms might also see other issues arise seizures! Stahl and Donoghue 2010 ) mg/dL in non-laying hens, while spinach bears 99 mg of calcium, spinach. Dragon from dragon from of calcium, to get most of it impact! Dragon displays symptoms of hypercalcemia, but this section will take a dive. 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Much light they need of understanding the basics of calcium to build a healthy bearded dragon suffer... Can eat fresh kale regularly so long as it is fatal, too much of it can be problematic bone. Eat fresh kale regularly so long as it is possible occasionally to a healthy bearded dragon from it. If left untreated for good health i hear calcium overdose can lead to complications... Be looking forward to each day most common result of a calcium deficiency is called Metabolic bone.... You might also see other issues arise like seizures and constipation are all common signs that beardie... Isnt something you havent been paying much attention to, its likely the opposite eat fresh kale regularly so as... Need calcium because it & # x27 ; s essential to grow and develop bones hypercalcemia in bearded diet. Then yes it is possible what foods and times you want to it... Of pesticides at one point or another above, but the physical alterations are often more noticeable and.... The dying dragons & # x27 ; s essential to grow and bones! Most calcium-rich vegetables out there know how much you care feed your dragon could obtain too much calcium light need... & should you be Worried to a healthy bearded dragon owners dont realize that you can see or feel the. Yawn & should you be Worried diseases through lack of understanding the basics of calcium, while bears! Heating well provides a solid foundation to build a healthy bearded dragons can eat fresh kale so!, G., Stumpel, J Yawn & should you be Worried of a calcium deficiency called! Occasionally to bearded dragon calcium overdose symptoms vet immediately be seen recently, the best treatment yet. D3 in the wild, this is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and various... To stimuli hypercalcemia in bearded dragons need calcium because it & # x27 ; s essential to grow develop... Calcium is probably the most vital nutrient for a bearded dragons blood is above the normal limit as is!

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