Accessed Jan. 22, 2020. Bearded dragons will do best with sunlight. Below, we will explore more on hypercalcemia in bearded dragons, its causes, signs, and more to help you as the pet owner know how to avoid it or detect it early enough and thus provide your pet with ultimate living conditions. Brain. Bearded dragons dont poop too often, to begin with, but as their owner, youre likely aware of how often your beardie defecates on a regular basis. As a generalisation, the recommendation of numerous veterinarians, researchers and herpetologists, suggest you should give your bearded dragon calcium and vitamin D3 supplement as follows: Shortest answer is yes you should give your bearded dragon D3 (cholecalciferol). Recently, I watched. You must monitor these symptoms as well as take appropriate action if they appear. Bearded dragons should have a diet that is high in calcium and low in phosphorus. These supplements should contain a balance of calcium and phosphorus, as well as added vitamins and minerals for optimal health. A professional will guide you on an effective diet, habitat conditions, and medication to aid in the recovery of your beloved beardie. Certain types of cancer that can cause hypercalcemia include: Common medications and supplements that can cause hypercalcemia include: Taking too much calcium carbonate in the form of Tums or Rolaids is actually one of the more common temporary causes of hypercalcemia. Muscle aches, weakness, cramping and/or twitches. Hypercalcemia is a total serum calcium concentration > 10.4 mg/dL ( > 2.60 mmol/L) or ionized serum calcium > 5.2 mg/dL ( > 1.30 mmol/L). other information we have about you. Forgetfulness, depression or irritability. 2-3 times a week is the number of times you should sprinkle calcium powder on their food. Applied Nutritional Studies with Zoological Reptiles. So PET choline is one of the newest imaging modalities that's out there. MBD symptoms can range from mild to severe and can manifest in a variety of ways. It's really only available at a few centers across the country. Offer Food Daily. Shoback D, Sellmeyer D, Bilke D. Metabolic Bone Disease. This is controlled by some hormones such as calcitonin, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D3 (an accessory hormone). You dont pay more but it gives me a commission when you buy it through my affiliate link. Yes, you must provide calcium for your bearded dragon. But if you have a severe case, it can affect different parts of your body. If their UV light exposure is limited or interrupted, Vitamin D3 supplementation is advised to ensure that they receive the recommended amount. A comparison of UV b compact lamps in enabling cutaneous vitamin D synthesis in growing bearded dragons. their bodies will also become stiff, making it difficult for them to move. Too much calcium in your blood is referred to as Hypercalcemia. Hatchlings, baby bearded dragons, and the aged ones are at a higher risk of hypercalcemia than the other moderately aged and adult bearded dragons. Gut loading insects for bearded dragons is another useful method to feed a highly nutritious diet with calcium supplements. Dragon tails should not protrude from the hips if they are well-fed, and the base of the tail should be thick. Hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia are medical conditions that both have to do with the amount of calcium in your blood the difference is how much. Calcium to phosphorus ratio is crucial to understand in the bearded dragons diet. Here at the Mayo Clinic in Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery, we treat the full spectrum of parathyroid problems. Foods high in oxalates and phytates can inhibit the uptake of calcium and caution must be used. Calcium assists in bone development, muscle health, and reproductive health. Yes, feeding your bearded dragon calcium is part of the current recommended good husbandry practices and it will contribute to the prevention of hypocalcemia. When they are placed on the back the light can glare into their eyes too much & the UVB is not going directly onto them but bounces around too much. Bearded Dragons require a lot of calcium in their diet to stay healthy and strong. The nutritional demands of adults is 1.5:1 and in egg laying periods it reaches up to the level of 10:1. At the late stages of pregnancy, she will refuse food. A very small portion of indigestible material (2.3% of stomach content) was found in the stomach, some of which included degraded bone as was attributed to potentially aiding the intake of dietary calcium. Most of the calcium is found in the bones as calcium phosphate while a small percentage is found in the cells and extracellular fluids. Dont be afraid to ask your healthcare team questions about hypercalcemia and its management. Dusting refers to coating food (both vegetables and insects) with powder supplements before being eaten. Because hypercalcemia can cause few, if any, signs or symptoms, you might not know you have the disorder until routine blood tests reveal a high level of blood calcium. In addition, it affects the absorption of other essential nutrients and minerals such as zinc, iron, and phosphorus into the bearded dragons bloodstream. 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. How to Keep Your Iguana Healthy, Happy and Safe! Severe cases can cause confusion and coma. You feel confident that they're going to come here and get the care they need and deserve. 4. As a matter of interest, unlike most other feeders, soldier fly larvae have a higher calcium to phosphorus ratio (Divers 2018). 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. About 2% of all cancers are associated with hypercalcemia, and cancer-related hypercalcemia cases (also called hypercalcemia of malignancy) often have a rapid onset and are severe. (Ed.). Drinking plenty of water: Staying hydrated may lower blood calcium levels, and it can help prevent kidney stones. Read on for more information on hypercalcemia, how to spot it, and how to prevent your dragon from getting it. Bearded dragons that are provided with time outdoors in direct sunlight will need lower supplementation, unlike those kept indoor. Symptoms of hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels) are often described as "moans, stones, groans, and bones." "Moans" symptoms of hypercalcemia refer to gastrointestinal conditions including. van., Hendriks, W. H., Poel, A. F. B. van der. This can also be a sign of a bacterial infection such as mouth rot, though the symptoms are very different. We have seen hypercalcemias signs, effects, and treatment options in bearded dragons. Bruce, H.M.; Parkes, A.S. 1950. This can be achieved by feeding your bearded dragon a variety of foods such as dark, leafy greens, insects, and other calcium-rich foods. Such efforts include providing foods with a calcium to phosphorus ratio above, proper UVB light, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3 supplements, calcium supplements, and gut loading insects with calcium-rich foods. Approach to hypercalcemia. More-severe cases produce signs and symptoms related to the parts of your body affected by the high calcium levels in your blood. Yes, bearded dragons can get calcium deposits. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Hypercalcemia can affect anyone at any age, but its most common in people assigned female at birth over age 50 (after menopause). Your dragons beard should normally be flat. In research by Oonincx et al (2015) the stomach contents of 10 free ranging (wild) Pogona vitticeps were analysed. It can be very dangerous and potentially lead to death if left untreated. It refers to a condition where bone tissues form within the beardies muscles leading to the hardening and weakening of the muscles. She will look stressed, dig a lot (prior to choosing a nesting site) and might poop more often. Klaphake, E. (2010). They may also indicate other underlying conditions. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Such knowledge will help you avoid overexposing your pet to UVB light and thus prevent Vitamin D3 over intake. Additionally, look for a supplement that is made with a form of calcium that is easily absorbed by the body, such as calcium citrate. Examples include: Contact your doctor if you develop signs and symptoms that might indicate hypercalcemia, such as being extremely thirsty, urinating frequently and having abdominal pain. If you have cancer and experience any symptoms of . A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. 2017. Make sure to look for a supplement that does not contain added sugar, dyes, or flavors. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! Bearded dragons are popular, docile reptiles that can make excellent pets. Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are mostly seen in dragons fed on diets high in fruits, celery etc. Your parathyroid glands are located behind your thyroid gland in your neck. Oxalic and phytic acids bind to calcium making it unavailable. Ten bearded dragons with histories of anorexia (8), vomiting (3), hyperglycemia (2), and anemia (3) were included in this study. (2015) The Diet of Free-Roaming Australian Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). 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. 5 yr. ago. Hello! Although well-meaning, such actions can make the beardie suffer when it takes too much calcium. Second is, provide UVB bulbs in your bearded dragons housing. Aside from swelling in the face, mouth, and/or back legs, lethargy, and trembling limbs are common symptoms. Divers, S. J., and Stahl, S. J. There should be nothing blocking the sun light which includes any glass, plastic or otherwise. 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). Once that step is complete, then the patient can very confidently move towards the next step, which is treatment. Avoid feeding them calcium-rich foods along with any calcium powder supplements. What causes hypercalcemia? 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