Therefore, calcium overdose occurs when there is an overdose in Vitamin D3 to facilitate calcium over absorption. Hypercalcemia can also cause neurological symptoms, such as depression, memory loss, and irritability. 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). If your bearded dragon requires calcium, adding calcium powder to its diet is the best way to get it. We use four-dimensional CT scan, which is an advanced CT scan imaging of the neck and parathyroid glands. (2005). Avoid putting their enclosure in direct sunlight, and remember to check the temperature in the enclosure often. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. Cleveland Clinics Endocrinology & Metabolism Institute is committed to providing the highest quality healthcare for patients with diabetes, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and obesity. Further, the vet might recommend giving fewer or no supplements to the beardie for a specific time. Bearded dragons need full spectrum or high UVB reptile bulbs provided overhead. Besides building strong bones and teeth, calcium helps muscles contract and nerves transmit signals. Preventative health care, such as regular check-ups, proper nutrition, and a clean environment, is essential to ensure your bearded dragons long-term health. A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. Calcium assists in bone development, muscle health, and reproductive health. Hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia are medical conditions that both have to do with the amount of calcium in your blood the difference is how much. In: Anatomy and Ultrastructure of bone Histogenesis, growth and remodeling. Symptoms due to high calcium level may vary, depending on the cause and how long the problem has been present. They may also indicate other underlying conditions. Other symptoms of weakness are being shaky and unwilling to move. Being transparent (such as glass) does not mean it allows UVB rays to pass through it. These four tiny glands are situated in the neck, near the thyroid gland. 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). Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Sufficient exposure to UVB light, is necessary. You might not have signs or symptoms if your hypercalcemia is mild. The following blood calcium levels indicate different levels of diagnosis and severity of hypercalcemia: If you have symptoms of hypercalcemia or are at risk for developing hypercalcemia due to having a certain kind of cancer, your provider will order different blood tests to determine if you have hypercalcemia. B., Leeuwen, J. P. The parathyroid glands lie behind the thyroid. Some links on this site are paid services or products which contain affiliate links such as Amazon. Exploring The Facts About A Popular Pet Reptile. In captivity, they are typically kept indoors in artificial lighting. This can cause bone pain and muscle weakness. Some products on the market contain both calcium and vitamin D3. ). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Give them a light dusting and feed them. In addition, such an assessment provides room for you further to understand the perfect diet specific to your beardie. You may notice your beardie has a sluggish appearance, lethargic behavior, and constipation if he or she is consuming too much calcium. Its also important to note that weakness can be a sign of the enclosure being too hot or too cold. Environmental factors like UVB lighting and heating, Biological stage of the animal, i.e. The professional will assess the health status of the lizard and verify the underlying problem. Keeping them on a regular feeding schedule can help identify digestion issues. See the frequency for dusting (feeding calcium) further down this post. And most often, it's just one of them that develops a tumor of it. Calcium is needed for a bearded dragon to develop properly. Both are inversely related and negatively affect the level of each other. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! Shoback D, Sellmeyer D, Bilke D. Metabolic Bone Disease. Maintaining your dragons health and wellbeing is critical, just as it is for any other pet. Hypercalcemia is caused by: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. A five-year-old male central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for investigation of blood in the voided urates. Photo-Kerato Conjunctivitis Hypercalcemia can lead to weakness, lethargy, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite. The taste of the water is unpalatable and it will increase bacteria (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). (Baines, 2017). This means that when one is rich in the diet, the level of other will be low and vice versa. We have seen hypercalcemias signs, effects, and treatment options in bearded dragons. Calcium to phosphorus ratio is crucial to understand in the bearded dragons diet. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Discuss health questions, issues, problems, etc! Food alone isnt going to provide them with everything they need. Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. The amount of calcium you give your bearded dragon can be a bit of guesswork for pet owners. Proper lighting and a balanced diet is the best way to prevent hypercalcemia. c). Mayo Clinic; 2019. Dr Amna Ahmad is a Doctor of Veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. And that can include various imaging techniques such as ultrasound, parathyroid sestamibi scan, which is a nuclear medicine imaging. Minimize Sensory Overload. Setting up the lighting and heating well provides a solid foundation to build a healthy bearded dragon from. Calcium is vital to the growth, development, and overall health of a bearded dragon. The following table shows this data with the amount of calcium to be fed as a percentage of the dry matter and the calcium to phosphorus ratios: How often you give your bearded dragon calcium with D3 greatly depends on the amount of UV light exposure. The drug might also correct some of the signs of the beardies hypercalcemia, such as constipation. Other less common causes of hypercalcemia include: Hypercalcemia is a fairly common finding on routine blood tests such as a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) or basic metabolic panel (BMP), which include a calcium blood test. But if you overload him both with vitamin D3 AND Calcium then you will have problems. link to What Vitamins Do Leopard Geckos Need. (Doctoral Dissertation) Oklahoma State University. Youll want the enclosure to be at 75-85 degrees fahrenheit during the day (24-29 celcius) with the basking spot between 88-100 degrees fahrenheit (31-38 celcius). Vitamin D3 supports the metabolism and absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Is it possible to give your bearded dragon too much calcium? Another preventive measure is to avoid calcium supplements with Vitamin D3 if you are already providing your pet with proper UVB conditions. MDText.com. Calcium is the most abundant cation found in the human body and plays an integral role in neural transmission, enzyme activity, myocardial function, coagulation and other cellular functions. These foods can be added in small portions occasionally to a healthy bearded dragons diet (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/hypercalcemia. Vitamin D and ultraviolet B radiation considerations for exotic pets. Bear in mind that these conditions vary primarily depending on their age. In severe cases, it can even cause death. Alternatively, you can buy a UV meter to the UVB output of the lamp. They end up not being able to move around as easily without experiencing pain and stiffness in their body. You may find that your dragon doesnt enjoy their favorite foods as often anymore. This article describes a newly recognized highly malignant neoplastic entity in young bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas, which readily metastasize. Bearded dragons will do best with sunlight. 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. Indeed, anorexia is the one sign of chronic phosphorus deprivation most consistently reported across species. Avoid mixing vitamins and calcium in the water. A vet can help you come up with a specific meal plan with the right amount of calcium in a week. Gut loading insects for bearded dragons is another useful method to feed a highly nutritious diet with calcium supplements. There is a problem with health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Multiple myeloma (a blood cancer that starts in bone marrow) Your cancer or the treatment . 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. In: Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, et al, editors. Yes, feeding your bearded dragon calcium is part of the current recommended good husbandry practices and it will contribute to the prevention of hypocalcemia. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. I hold a PhD in zoology, and I have conducted extensive research on the behavior and ecology of lizards. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with The professional may perform a physical exam on the reptile and blood tests to ascertain that the bearded dragon is suffering from hypercalcemia. When hypercalcemia happens due to a benign condition or temporary situation, it generally has a good prognosis. This is a very common sign of hypercalcemia and should be looked into by a vet right away. This can also be a sign of a bacterial infection such as mouth rot, though the symptoms are very different. Symptoms of a gravid bearded dragon are following: Pregnant bearded dragon's weight will increase, and her belly will look plump or swollen. (2010) Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation and UVb exposure on the growth and plasma concentration of vitamin D3 metabolites in juvenile bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). van., Hendriks, W. H., Poel, A. F. B. van der. They know how to regulate their internal temperature and arent always capable of doing so if the temperature is too hot or cold for them. When hypercalcemia is severe, the vet might recommend medication that will help control calcium levels in the bearded dragon. Additionally, a lack of calcium in a bearded dragon's diet can cause severe health complications. As dehydration decreases nutrient utilization. Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. Depending on the age of a beardie, they may require more or less for growth purposes. (2018) Maders Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery- E-Book. 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279129/. The Bearded Dragon is a well-known lizard and currently considered one of the best pet lizards. Review/update the So PET choline is one of the newest imaging modalities that's out there. Calcium supplement meant for humans can also be used. Be aware that you can overdose on vitamin D3. Hypercalcemia can be mild or severe and temporary or chronic (lifelong). Forgetfulness, depression or irritability. However, if you are feeding your bearded dragon 50% or more of the total diet with commercially prepared diets, supplementation should not be required (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). Yes, it is possible to give a reptile too much calcium. It refers to a condition where bone tissues form within the beardies muscles leading to the hardening and weakening of the muscles. Aside from swelling in the face, mouth, and/or back legs, lethargy, and trembling limbs are common symptoms. 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). Accessed Jan. 22, 2020. It is critical to keep an eye on your dragon after each visit to keep an eye out for any signs of illness, such as a lack of appetite, discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth, and diarrhea. In addition, learn your dragons eating behaviors so that you can notice any changes that could lead to an underlying problem such as hypercalcemia. Hormone Health Network. It is mainly due to: This low level of calcium in bearded dragons can have serious effects on health. You dont pay more but it gives me a commission when you buy it through my affiliate link. B. G., Heijboer, A. C., van Leeuwen, J. P. T. M., Hendriks, J. P. & Kik, M. (2013). When a foreign object is swallowed over time, it can clog the digestive system. Lethargy A bearded dragon can become lethargic for various reasons, including calcium overdose. Bearded dragons may be fed calcium with or without vitamin D3. Changing UVB lamps is expected to be between 6 to 12 months. In addition, it affects the absorption of other essential nutrients and minerals such as zinc, iron, and phosphorus into the bearded dragons bloodstream. As the muscles and soft tissues stiffen, there will be a lack of mobility. In the wild, this aids them in being able to use calcium efficiently. When dusting calcium on foods, make sure to not feed them the calcium too often. Shane E. Clinical manifestations of hypercalcemia. In the end, the bearded dragons muscles grow weak, affecting its overall body functioning. Investigating The Vision Of Pogona Vitticeps, The Pros And Cons Of Using Puppy Pads For Bearded Dragons, Discovering The Sexy Leg In Bearded Dragons: Exploring The Leg Health Of Your Reptilian Pet, One Side Only: Understanding The Lighting & Heating Requirements For Bearded Dragons, Understanding The Complexities Of Keeping Bearded Dragons And Snakes Together, Weighing Your Bearded Dragon: How To Easily And Safely Measure Your Pets Weight. Dusting refers to coating food (both vegetables and insects) with powder supplements before being eaten. A mistake people often make is not taking the time to research how much their beardie needs depending on their age and size. Hypercalcemia is a medical condition in bearded dragons that results from excess calcium intake. Just like humans, calcium performs a wide array of bodily functions in bearded dragons. See the post on setting up lighting and heating for more information. 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