document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Baby bearded dragons require a smaller, more frequent diet due to their high metabolism. This species cant get all their calcium from supplementation alone! I really hope that whichever one of these problems it is, itll be as simple enough as refraining from calcium dust for a couple days and ordering 1/4 inch crickets in bulk! Beta caroteneis a lot safer than Vitamin A because of the way your dragons body will absorb it. See the post on setting up lighting and heating for more information. We know tons of owners who swear by this powder, and weve had great success with it as well. Scientifically, the reason MBD is so detrimental . When giving your bearded dragon an overdose of calcium, you need a balance of vitamin D3 for your bearded dragon to digest the calcium in its body. Bearded dragons cant metabolize calcium without vitamin D3. Make sure that what you feed them doesnt contain more calcium than they need. Is it possible to give your bearded dragon too much calcium? Are you using and vitamins? (5 weight loss tips). You might see them twitching or acting very skittish (even when the stimulation is mild). Why they need it, what happens if you give them too much, and the best sources of calcium are things that many new owners cant answer. I question the use of vitamin supplementation. Hydration is essential for good health, but it is possible to overdo things. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) in bearded dragons is a condition that causes their bones to form improperly. Lets say you have one of the best cages for bearded dragons and a high-quality light. Instead, keep it simple. Many bearded dragons end up with preventable diseases through lack of understanding the basics of calcium and D3 supplementation. 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. Just make sure to avoid using rocks as they can overheat and burn your bearded dragons belly without them realizing it. We are not licensed veterinarians. Keep an eye out for any signs of illness. While kale can be a staple food, it should also be part of a varied diet. 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). Now that you have a better understanding of the impact calcium can have on your bearded dragons, its time for you to plan accordingly. If youre unsure about the amounts you should be feeding them, consult with your vet, and they will help with a meal plan. Calcium is essential for growth in bearded dragons. (Doctoral Dissertation) Oklahoma State University. 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 . Why does calcium matter so much in the first place? Your concern regarding the overuse of D3 or any other multivitamins is certainly legitimate. Is it necessary? In most cases, the excess calcium in your blood was leached from your bones, which weakens them. It can result from the calcification of blood vessels in the beardies body. 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. this would also cause severe damage to the health of your bearded dragon. You can prevent hypercalcemia by feeding your bearded dragon the right amount of calcium. Help them feel a little more like the predator they were born to be. This only happens once for like a second then he is back to normal. Broccoli, Kale and Bok Choy are rich in calcium but also have high oxalate and goitrogen content that negatively affect their nutritional importance. Dandelion greens are some of the most calcium-rich vegetables out there. For most species, 0.1% calcium appears adequate for a maintenance diet. Calcium is pretty useless without D3. Companion animal care and welfare: The UFAW companion animal handbook. Remember, nothing beats natural exposure to sunlight even if only for a few hours a week. We'll Fix it. They end up not being able to move around as easily without experiencing pain and stiffness in their body. Most often, symptoms associated with weak and soft limbs indicate a low calcium and or/vitamin D3 in your bearded dragon's body. Of course, you can also mix it with water, but there is no guarantee your dragon will consume it all. These include: Even with excellent supplementation, its still very important to provide calcium-rich foods for your bearded dragon. One of the most obvious issues youll notice is in their behavior, movements, and energy. (Eds.). Too often, a dragon owner doesnt realize that their beardie needs calcium supplements and ends up with a sick beardie with irreversible damage. B., Van De Wal, M. D., Bosch, G., Stumpel, J. This is obviously a step in the right direction since its another effective and natural way for them to get calcium into their system. You probably wont be a Dragon Keeper for very long without hearing how vital calcium is for bearded dragons' health and wellbeing. The first signs of MBD are: stunted growth; a rounded skull, especially when viewed from the side; lack of appetite The effects of hypocalcemia mostly involve the muscles being more excitable. It contains 8% calcium and 1% magnesium to promote a strong bone structure. John Wiley & Sons. Consult with a vet specializing in reptiles and ensure they know what theyre doing. Which is better? Unfortunately, MBD is one of the most common diseases among domestic bearded dragons, but its so easily preventable with. Also daily baths 20 minutes at a time will help if the urates are hard. The urate is proper color, and not hard, it seems healthy. 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. 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. 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? Bearded dragons do not need calcium every day. Add vitamin D3 for bearded dragons into the mix and it might start to sound a little confusing. May 12, 2011. Dusting refers to coating food (both vegetables and insects) with powder supplements before being eaten. 2-3 times a week is the number of times you should sprinkle calcium powder on their food. The disease is quite painful and very difficult to reverse. So this only leaves the calcium overdose. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Heat? Calcium is essential for bearded dragons but must only be used in moderation. If your beard is more than seven years old, it may be due to age. Symptoms include: Calcium deficiency also leads to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (aka NSHP, metabolic bone disease). Its entirely possible for you to be giving your bearded dragon too much calcium without realizing it. Avoid mixing vitamins and calcium in the water. Of course, the exception would be a dragon who has metabolic bone disease or another condition which would require a more intense supplement regimen. Adding calcium-rich foods and providing fewer supplements is also possible, but more challenging to measure the amount of calcium your dragon is getting. 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). Watson, M. K., & Mitchell, M. A. The average bearded dragon's lifespan is 8-10 years, but the oldest ever recorded was 18 years old. Why Do Ball Pythons Yawn & Should You Be Worried? 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. The Surprising Answer, Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Shed? Symptoms of calcium overdose in beardies range from lethargic behavior to general weakness, constipation . Calcium is nothing to your dragon without Vitamin D3. Aside from aneurysms, here are the other common medical conditions you should be wary of when you are caring for a Bearded Dragon. Without vitamin D3, the calcium wont do much (for better or worse). Observations show that bearded dragons experience improved appetite, better growth, remain healthier and more active in provision of sunlight and/or UVB generating bulbs or fluorescent type tubes. i feel terrible for doing this. Take a look at your enclosure, lighting, and diet to see if theres anything that can be improved. How to Keep Your Iguana Healthy, Happy and Safe! Unfortunately, MBD is one of the most frequent illnesses in domestic bearded dragons, although it is completely avoidable with correct nutrition and care. Vitamin D3. This means that when one is rich in the diet, the level of other will be low and vice versa. The UVB tube length for your bearded dragon house should not cover the entire length of the house. Calcium is essential for growth in bearded dragons. Hypercalcemia is brought about by calcium overdose. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. its just peristalsis that you are seeing. Bearded dragons may be fed calcium with or without vitamin D3. One reason it's important to be educated on bearded dragon health concerns, is because your beardie will hide symptoms. 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. Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) 10. The disease may also drastically shorten their lifespan and quality of life. Try to provide a mix of these instead of just one or two (variety is important when it comes to diet). Too much calcium in your blood is referred to as Hypercalcemia. When there is not enough calcium in bearded dragon's body, it starts using the calcium from bones! It also helps prevent metabolic bone disease and keep your dragon healthy and happy. This is worth noting because calcium (as well as vitamin D3) is one of the most important minerals these animals can receive. Stomatitis or Mouth Rot. Weve hinted at each of them at one point or another above, but this section will take a deeper dive into each. 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 that don't get enough calcium can suffer from serious health conditions such as metabolic bone disease. Yes it is possible to give your bearded dragon too much calcium where there is also an excess of vitamin D3. Bearded Dragons need calcium because it's essential to grow and develop bones. 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. Toggle navigation. If your bearded dragon is eating kale every day they could start to suffer from calcium issues. Too much vitamin D3 in the bearded dragons blood increases the absorption of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract. Calcium to phosphorus ratio is crucial to understand in the bearded dragons diet. As a rule of thumb, a Vitamin D3 supplement can be safely provided about two to three times a week. Be diligent in changing out your UVB lamps as per the manufacturers instructions. For tricks of the trade (so to speak) to get your bearded dragon to eat greens see the post on. We know how much you love your Dragon and we want to make it easy to show how much you care. They are by UVB (either sunlight or artificial lighting) and in the diet (food and supplementation). The best way to know what is wrong with your bearded dragon is by taking them to the vet. Calcium, vitamin D3, or phosphorous deficiency. 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. Some calcium powder thats not ground properly can cause GI issues in your reptile. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of constipation in bearded dragons. Beardies are prone to diarrhea. Environmental factors like UVB lighting and heating, Biological stage of the animal, i.e. 100% Satisfaction All Winter! Dust insects, they are naturally low in calcium. The 7th day use the vitamin and NO Calcium, Thx. Since bearded dragons should be getting 12 hours of UVB exposure a day, they dont necessarily need this supplement on a daily basis. Divers, S. J., & Mader, D. R. van., Hendriks, W. H., Poel, A. F. B. van der. This is a powder that we recommend giving a little extra love before using it. Vitamin D3 is very important since it aids in the absorption of calcium. 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. Also daily baths 20 minutes at a time will help if the urates are hard. This particularly applies when the bearded dragon is on a calcium-rich diet. And it worked. This was discussed in your other thread. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam. This guide will teach you the fundamentals of why bearded dragons need calcium, how to provide it to them (with our powder recommendations), the way other factors influence how much they need, and much more! They may even walk strangely and significantly less. While you cant rely on this entirely, this will provide a good baseline and a bit of variety. Silkworms. Read on for more information on hypercalcemia, how to spot it, and how to prevent your dragon from getting it. Well my new beardie is very active. Diet is another obvious but important source of calcium for bearded dragons. Just be sure to avoid giving them calcium-rich foods along with that calcium. Bearded Dragon Impaction: Symptoms and Treatment Causes of impaction in bearded dragons. Thompson, K. S. 2016. Any information found on this website is for entertainment purposes only. UVB exposure with or without vitamin D can treat Hypocalcaemia. Be aware that you can overdose on vitamin D3. This symptom isnt always easy to notice and can be very subtle. The effects of Vitamin D overdose will include calcium deposits in joints and bones that shouldn't be there. We also ask other owners what theyre using to see what everyone likes! This is most effectively done through powder, so thats what well speak to in this section. You can also use a live feeder that is higher in calcium, like black soldier fly larvae, and cut out the calcium supplementing entirely. Here are 5 steps to action if a bearded dragon bites you: Gently pry the jaws apart if it bites and holds on. Avoid feeding them calcium-rich foods along with any calcium powder supplements. Dubia roaches ate a hole in the egg cartons. 6 days RepCal and 1 Day Reptivite or 5 days Repcal and 2 days Reptivite. Some bearded dragon owners unintentionally give their beardies too much calcium, but others dont realize that they need to provide calcium at all. Decide what foods and times you want to feed your dragon supplements. As with other reptiles, a temperature gradient should be provided for your bearded dragon, as well as a basking spot. Providing too much calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to your bearded dragon can cause hypercalcemia. Taking excessive amounts of calcium from supplements in amounts from 1.5 to 16.5 grams per day long-term can raise calcium levels in your blood above normal, which could develop into hypercalcemia. It also helps prevent metabolic bone disease and keep your dragon healthy and happy. Thats because its just not possible to recreate an exact replica of a dragons natural habitat, although you can come close. Kale is high in calcium and it can be beneficial to the overall balanced diet of the bearded dragon. Heat. Keep an eye on the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in fruits and veggies. Swelling of lower jaw. Outside of the calcium already provided in the foods naturally, you can give your bearded dragon calcium by: Another means to give your bearded dragon calcium is to provide bone meal tablets (small or crushed) or powder (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). 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. Generally its safe to supplement calcium anywhere from a few times a week to once a day. Therefore even if you must drive a long distance for a proper vet, itll be worth it in the end. Why does your bearded dragon need calcium in the first place? Being transparent (such as glass) does not mean it allows UVB rays to pass through it. If you need calcium that has vitamin D3, the best brands to buy are: Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3. Exposure to ultraviolet light is required for the formation of Vitamin D3. Nonetheless, it is important to identify the exact factors that contribute to the development of the disease. Supplementing with calcium helps you have more control over how much calcium your dragon is actually consuming. Then, simply feed the insects to your bearded dragon. That is for you and your vet to determine. 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