Hypercalcemia is considered mild when the total serum calcium level is between 10.5 and 12 mg/dl. include protected health information. Lamps below 290 nm are of no use for bearded dragons. Be diligent in changing out your UVB lamps as per the manufacturers instructions. ). As a result, providing your dragon with access to a variety of Ultra Violet light sources is critical because it enables them to synthesise their own Vitamin D3 and maintains their bones strength and integrity. The nutritional demands of adults is 1.5:1 and in egg laying periods it reaches up to the level of 10:1. Sometimes bearded dragon owners unintentionally give their pets too much calcium. When a healthy dragon is basking, it transforms into a brighter color. More severe and/or long-term cases of hypercalcemia may cause the following symptoms: More than 25 separate diseases, several medications and even dehydration can cause hypercalcemia. Severe cases can cause confusion and coma. 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. Almost 19% of the bearded dragons had musculoskeletal disorders with the most prevalent being osteodystrophy and limb fractures. document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); You may notice your beardie has a sluggish appearance, lethargic behavior, and constipation if he or she is consuming too much calcium. Of those which were given blood tests, 57% showed a deviation in the calcium-phosphorus ratio and 63% showed hypocalcaemia. Topeka (KS): Mark Morris Institute; 2010. In addition, it affects the absorption of other essential nutrients and minerals such as zinc, iron, and phosphorus into the bearded dragons bloodstream. 2-3 times a week is the number of times you should sprinkle calcium powder on their food. You feel confident that they're going to come here and get the care they need and deserve. Additionally, a lack of calcium in a bearded dragon's diet can cause severe health complications. fractures. Excessive intake of vitamin D, vitamin A or calcium supplements. Foods high in phosphorus should generally be avoided. In prolonged cases, the beardie might die due to calcium overdose. Avoid mixing vitamins and calcium in the water. And finally, cutting-edge imaging such as choline PET scan. With mild cases of hypercalcemia, the vet will recommend a diet specific to the beardie. In patients with severe hypercalcemia (calcium >14 . You should notice a few physical evidence around the mouth and nares/nostrils. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/hypercalcemia), (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000365.htm), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430714/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Feeding your leopard gecko with a balanced diet is essential to its overall growth and well-being. Multiple myeloma (a blood cancer that starts in bone marrow) Your cancer or the treatment . 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279129/. Muscle aches, weakness, cramping and/or twitches. Environmental factors like UVB lighting and heating, Biological stage of the animal, i.e. Your bearded dragon will have difficulty walking and climbing. A regular vet isnt going to be as knowledgeable. As the muscles and soft tissues stiffen, there will be a lack of mobility. other information we have about you. Make a donation. Additionally, exposing your bearded dragon to a full-spectrum ultraviolet light for 12-14 hours a day is important for aiding the absorption of calcium into the bones. In most cases, Metabolic Bone Disease necessitates immediate oral calcium supplementation, rehydration with fluids, nutritional support, treatment with injectable vitamin D3, and injections of calcitonin (an antibiotic that helps to re-deposit calcium back into the bones of bearded dragons). To avoid the severe effects of calcium deficiency in bearded dragons, most pet beardie owners put extra measures to ensure that the lizard gets enough calcium. You should also be measuring the amount of calcium in supplements they are getting in addition to foods that contain calcium. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Bearded dragons do not need regular visits to the vet as much as other pets such as cats and dogs do. memory loss. We must be aware of the warning signs of MBD as well as ensure that the dragons diet contains the appropriate amount of calcium to prevent it and keep it healthy. Hypocalcaemia is low levels calcium in the blood. Lastly, it is important to supplement your bearded dragons diet with a calcium supplement, such as calcium carbonate, to ensure that your bearded dragon is getting the proper amount of calcium. 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. (Baines, 2017). Review/update the Remember, nothing beats natural exposure to sunlight even if only for a few hours a week. The Reptilian Connection: A Look at Slot Machines Featuring Reptiles and Amphibians, Are Bearded Dragons Eyes Sharp? Signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia range from nonexistent to severe. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Being bedridden/immobilized for a prolonged time. There are 2 ways to get vitamin D3. While hypercalcemia is super rare, its better to know the symptoms to watch out for in case you accidentally give them too much. This is a much similar but more severe disorder to that of osteoporosis in humans. privacy practices. AskMayoExpert. In many of these cases, we're able to treat hyperparathyroidism and watch these symptoms literally go away. UVB radiations of only 280-320 nm wavelengths are useful for bearded dragons for vitamin D production in their skin. Skin shed in large pieces is another sign of a healthy bearded dragon. When hypercalcemia happens due to a benign condition or temporary situation, it generally has a good prognosis. Symptoms of hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels) are often described as "moans, stones, groans, and bones." "Moans" symptoms of hypercalcemia refer to gastrointestinal conditions including. How to Keep Your Iguana Healthy, Happy and Safe! Increased thirst or more frequent urination, due to changes in the kidneys. Make sure to look for a supplement that does not contain added sugar, dyes, or flavors. For growing reptiles, the required calcium to phosphorus ratio is 2:1. Cleveland Clinics Endocrinology & Metabolism Institute is committed to providing the highest quality healthcare for patients with diabetes, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and obesity. Divers, S. J., and Stahl, S. J. (2016). Principal causes include hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicity, and cancer. In the end, the bearded dragons muscles grow weak, affecting its overall body functioning. We use four-dimensional CT scan, which is an advanced CT scan imaging of the neck and parathyroid glands. Calcium deficiency is often accompanied by vitamin D3 deficiency. Hypercalcemia happens when you have higher-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood. Elsevier Health Sciences. Applied Nutritional Studies with Zoological Reptiles. Although fatal in severe cases, early detection makes it possible to treat hypercalcemia effectively. There is a serious health risk associated with MBD for bearded dragons, and they should be kept well away from it. This can also be a sign of a bacterial infection such as mouth rot, though the symptoms are very different. Health. Hypercalcemia will result in your bearded dragon becoming sick and, in some cases, it is fatal. High levels of phosphorus cause harm. In addition to the above, other signs of calcium overdose in bearded dragons include bloody stool, closing the eyes frequently, lack of appetite, avoiding the basking area, and any other heat source. Metabolic Bone Disease, also known as MBD, is a common health problem in captive bearded dragons. Hypercalcemia is caused by: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Symptoms include: Hyper excitability, Twitching of digits, Seizures, Abnormal movement, Paralysis Disorientation, Spinal and bone deformities (like scoliosis), Fractures, Soft pliable bones, Weakness, Constipation, Prolapse of cloaca, and Death. 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. Hypercalcemia is considered mild if the total serum calcium level is between 10.5 and 12 mg per dL (2.63 and 3 mmol per L). Dragon food contains a lot of calcium, which is required for its members to be able to absorb and use it. Blood tests can also show whether your parathyroid hormone level is high, indicating that you have hyperparathyroidism. (Eds.). This review article on twelve key facts explores clinically relevant anatomy and physiology and appropriate husbandry as well as key points of urgent care and general . Environmental factors like UVB lighting and heat including amount of exposure to direct sunlight versus artificial UVB. This can cause bone pain and muscle weakness. Spinal and bone deformities (like scoliosis), Juveniles typically facing low dietary calcium intake or Calcium deprivation. growing, gravid, The amount of calcium that sticks to the food, Ineffective or absent gut loading of insects, Amount of phosphorus o Level of anti-nutrients that can bind calcium (oxalates) or decrease absorption (phytic acid), Keep diets low in phosphorus and calcium binding oxalates and phytates. The best calcium for Bearded Dragons should be a high-quality calcium supplement specifically designed for reptiles. Bearded dragons may be fed calcium with or without vitamin D3. A swollen beard will be slightly raised above the neck. c). Post thread. The disease may also drastically shorten their lifespan and quality of life. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium. Absorbed vitamin D can be stored in the body such as the fat tissue, liver and kidneys. Is it possible to give your bearded dragon too much calcium? Overdosing lowers the use of fat, protein and minerals like zinc, iodine, manganese, iron and phosphorus. It may also be drooping down, and their beards may be black due to stress and discomfort. They produce parathyroid hormone, which plays a role in regulating the body's blood level of calcium and phosphorus. Elsevier Health Sciences. Hypercalcemia. Exposure to ultraviolet light is required for the formation of Vitamin D3. Your dragon could obtain too much D3 from food and sunlight. It is often coupled with a loss of appetite and is one of the initial signs of calcium overdose in bearded dragons. MDText.com. Some bearded dragon owners unintentionally give their beardies too much calcium, but others dont realize that they need to provide calcium at all. 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. Dr Amna Ahmad is a Doctor of Veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice. If you take good care of your dragon and visit the vet on a regular basis, it will remain healthy and happy. Keeping them on a regular feeding schedule can help identify digestion issues. Treatment and prevention Diagnosis involves looking at the patient's history, clinical signs, radiograph (X-rays), bloodwork, including those that measure blood calcium level, among other tests. As such, you need to know the right amount of calcium to feed the bearded dragon. It may also be drooping down, and their beards may be black due to stress and discomfort. Click here for an email preview. But if you have a severe case, it can affect different parts of your body. Bearded dragons are popular, docile reptiles that can make excellent pets. If you own a bearded dragon, you can take a few simple steps to ensure that his or her health is not jeopardized. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Bearded dragons are generally very hardy lizards and can live a long, healthy life in proper conditions. The best way to give your dragon calcium is by dusting their food with calcium powder 3-5 times per week. Phosphorus-deprived young animals grow slowly, develop rickets , and tend to have a rough hair coat, whereas adult animals in early stages may become lethargic, anorectic, and lose weight. Stop taking or lower your dose of calcium supplements and calcium-containing supplements, such as multivitamins. A beardie needs Vitamin D3 to absorb calcium. Aside from swelling in the face, mouth, and/or back legs, lethargy, and trembling limbs are common symptoms. For bearded dragons kept indoors, buy calcium powders with cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3. Hypercalcemia happens when there is too much calcium in the blood. The importance of giving a beardie enough amounts of calcium is well understood among most beardie pet owners. Fortunately, with the right medical care and proper diet, it is possible to effectively treat hypercalcemia in bearded dragons. Therefore even if you must drive a long distance for a proper vet, itll be worth it in the end. Bearded dragons that are provided with time outdoors in direct sunlight will need lower supplementation, unlike those kept indoor. It's really only available at a few centers across the country. Being transparent (such as glass) does not mean it allows UVB rays to pass through it. If your bearded dragon requires calcium, adding calcium powder to its diet is the best way to get it. Another treatment method is the discontinuation of any multivitamins and supplements that contain Vitamin D3. A bearded dragon is a rare and exciting animal, but it necessitates a great deal of responsibility. Signs of calcium overdose in bearded dragons includes lethargy, muscle weakness and constipation. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020. 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