Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 makes it possible for the dragon's body to absorb calcium from their digestive system. This is a much similar but more severe disorder to that of osteoporosis in humans. Additionally, a lack of calcium in a bearded dragons diet can cause severe health complications. Combination supplements. Babies, for instance, will benefit from having their food dusted with calcium powder about 4-5 times a week, while adults should have their food dusted around 3 times a week or essentially every other day. I do give it daily baths. So now the only other possibilities is calcium overdose or metabolic bone disease. Metabolic bone disease is a medical condition that is common in a lot of pet reptiles due to a combination of their phosphorus-rich and low-calcium diet and lack of exposure to sunlight. Exo Terra Reptile Calcium with vitamin D3. 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). For bearded dragons kept indoors, buy calcium powders with cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3. This is obviously a step in the right direction since its another effective and natural way for them to get calcium into their system. So its always best to check with a vet first before starting any supplementation. Toggle navigation. This can prolong the lifespan of your bearded dragon. Of course, the exception would be a dragon who has metabolic bone disease or another condition which would require a more intense supplement regimen. A diurnal lizard, bearded dragons are awake and active during the daytime. I read online that this may be a symptom of impaction but he poops everyday and it looks healthy. Bearded Dragon Calcium Overdose. Another thing to be wary of is the moisture content. That is for you and your vet to determine. It has the quality of a more expensive powder, in a cheap package. Vitamin D supports the immune system, development and maintenance of bones, cardiovascular heath, functioning of nerves and muscles, and reproduction. Bearded Dragons skin naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to UVB. If your bearded dragon is eating kale every day they could start to suffer from calcium issues. If your dragon displays symptoms of hypercalcemia, it must be taken to a vet immediately. Its important to note that each of these should not be used on their own. Too often, a dragon owner doesnt realize that their beardie needs calcium supplements and ends up with a sick beardie with irreversible damage. A bearded dragon's growth is considered juvenile as it approaches the age of five months or 18 months. Bearded Dragon Accessories and Enriching Life, 7 Tips to get Bearded Dragon to Eat Vegetables [& Refusal]. Buying calcium powder both with and without cholecalciferol will provide options for alternate dusting. Tail Rot. Blackberries and figs are also tasty treats that have plenty of calcium in them as well. Vitamin D3 is essential for the absorption of calcium into bones, so it stands to reason that the most likely symptoms of vitamin D overdose will involve the bones. Other symptoms of weakness are being shaky and unwilling to move. Thx, Too much calcium can be just as bad as too little. One reason it's important to be educated on bearded dragon health concerns, is because your beardie will hide symptoms. One, ask your vet who will be able to assess the relevant factors specific to you so they can make a recommendation. Stomatitis or Mouth Rot. The rest of the body has to absorb calcium from the bones and muscles, leading to muscle and bone problems in early development and even later in life. 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. Dusting refers to coating food (both vegetables and insects) with powder supplements before being eaten. Powdered calcium is fairly popular among Dragon Keepers. It could be anything even a neurological problem. This isnt limited to just calcium; your beardie may also need other nutrients to stay healthy such as vitamin D and multivitamins. A healthy diet should consist of only five phosphorus meals and five calcium meals. Refer to this post on how much light they need. This is because vitamin D3 is necessary in order for your bearded dragon to absorb the calcium. However, where sunlight is provided on a regular basis (i.e. Remember, kale is about 90 percent water. In artificially lit environments, just as it is important that the light is putting out enough UVB it is equally important not to overdo it. Also daily baths 20 minutes at a time will help if the urates are hard. 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). Can Bearded Dragons Eat Romaine Lettuce? One of the most obvious issues youll notice is in their behavior, movements, and energy. A beardie that doesnt get enough of this will suffer (which no one wants). 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. It also helps prevent metabolic bone disease and keep your dragon healthy and happy. 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. Dead bugs? Bone meal powder will make it easier to ration the amount used. Bearded dragons can get vitamin D3 through the food that they eat, supplements, and UVB light. 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. Here are 5 steps to action if a bearded dragon bites you: Gently pry the jaws apart if it bites and holds on. You are using an out of date browser. [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. I would back down on the calcium to once a day and see if it helps. 4. They are by UVB (either sunlight or artificial lighting) and in the diet (food and supplementation). Of course. 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. Calcium is pretty useless without D 3. You dont pay more but it gives me a commission when you buy it through my affiliate link. This was discussed in your other thread. If things get worse, this will likely swing the other way. SO is it possible that that like 1 second twitch after every meal (thats the only abnormal thing i see, everything else is fine: he is active, poops daily, alert, and quick) isnt an overdose of d3 because i only had him 1week? Vitamin D3 is very important since it aids in the absorption of calcium. You can also use a live feeder that is higher in calcium, like black soldier fly larvae, and cut out the calcium supplementing entirely. Effects of a light-emitting diode on the production of cholecalciferol and associated blood parameters in the bearded dragon (pogona vitticeps). Supplementing with calcium helps you have more control over how much calcium your dragon is actually consuming. A regular vet isnt going to be as knowledgeable. Fluker's is a fantastic company that's been a staple among reptile owners for years. Hydration is essential for good health, but it is possible to overdo things. (2015) The Diet of Free-Roaming Australian Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Could that twitch be just a way of him digesting it? Bearded dragons are susceptible to calcium overdoses, which can lead to a variety of symptoms including lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite, and twitching. Just like humans, calcium performs a wide array of bodily functions in bearded dragons. A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. Phosphorus should not be fed more than its recommended limits for bearded dragons. Some tweaks to the bearded dragons diet that will help with getting calcium right are: Foods high in calcium that you can feed as part of a varied diet include: Foods with an inverse Ca:P ratio cannot always be avoided but some are higher than others and should be used with caution, if at all. Rep-Cal Phosphorous-Free Calcium with Vitamin D Ultrafine Powder. One of the most common ways this occurs is with a suboptimal light and habitat combination. Together they are referred to as calcifediol. Ingesting Toxic Plants or Bugs. this would also cause severe damage to the health of your bearded dragon. In fact, calcium wont be of any importance to your bearded dragon if there is no vitamin D3. Calcium is an essential mineral for bearded dragons, and is important for their overall health. This is a very common sign of hypercalcemia and should be looked into by a vet right away. Select foods that can improve the Ca:P ratio and that dont have high levels of anti-nutrients that can block absorption. Dusting salad and insects with a high-quality calcium and D3 supplement is the most effective. Symptoms include: Calcium deficiency also leads to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (aka NSHP, metabolic bone disease). Calcium, alongside vitamin D3, is arguably the most essential nutrient to bearded . Avoid excess sodium (salt) intake. UVB radiations of only 280-320 nm wavelengths are useful for bearded dragons for vitamin D production in their skin. Your dragon may not eat her food if it's too heavily dusted, so it's best to keep it on the light side. Its not made from anything like oyster shells or other substances that can affect your bearded dragon over time. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. This can also be a sign of a bacterial infection such as mouth rot, though the symptoms are very different. Donoghue, S. ARAV (2015) Companion Reptile Care Series. 3. 1. 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). Proper temperatures in the tank are extremely important. Soft tissue mineralisation, muscle calcification and hardening of muscles occurs. It cant be metabolic bone disease cuz i dust his crickets every meal which is twice a day every day. Unfortunately, MBD is one of the most frequent illnesses in domestic bearded dragons, although it is completely avoidable with correct nutrition and care. The most common result of a calcium deficiency is called Metabolic Bone Disease. Now that you have a better understanding of the impact calcium can have on your bearded dragons, its time for you to plan accordingly. The Exo Terra calcium liquid offers high absorption, passing the liquid directly into the small intestine. Foods dusted with too much calcium will probably be refused. If possible, consider dusting more docile insects like roaches instead of crickets. Is it possible that it is a result of eating the smallest size crickets from the pet store which are only about like 1/2-3/4 inch while my Shadow needs around 1/4 inch? Drinking plenty of water: Staying hydrated may lower blood calcium levels, and it can help prevent kidney stones. We'll Fix it. Thats because its just not possible to recreate an exact replica of a dragons natural habitat, although you can come close. Metabolic bone disease. 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. Ask your vet how much water is recommended for your bearded dragon's situation, and make sure the water bowl isn't too deep. Bearded dragons are a very popular pet and many people bathe. multiple hours per week), oral D3 supplementation should be reduced or not fed at all. Be mindful over the level of phosphorus in the diet. Cusack, L., Rivera, S., Lock, B., Benboe, D., Brothers, D., & Divers, S. (2017). Stress. John Wiley & Sons. 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. 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. See the frequency for dusting (feeding calcium) further down this post. 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