hypercalcemia bearded dragon symptoms
Schmidt et al (2017) conducted a survey on 529 bearded dragons presented to three different exotic animal clinics in Central Europe. Its also important to note that weakness can be a sign of the enclosure being too hot or too cold. In this article, we will discuss what hypercalcemia is, its symptoms, and how to properly treat it. Constipation makes this less frequent because the beardie cannot pass stool effectively. Cleveland Clinics Endocrinology & Metabolism Institute is committed to providing the highest quality healthcare for patients with diabetes, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and obesity. Check your lighting and heating setup against the post on setting up lighting and heating. A small cutaneous mass was detected in the gular region, but clinical . Both conditions negatively affect the lizard and should, thus, be avoided. If youre unsure about the amounts you should be feeding them, consult with your vet, and they will help with a meal plan. Effects of a light-emitting diode on the production of cholecalciferol and associated blood parameters in the bearded dragon (pogona vitticeps). @Elise, yes I'm pretty sure that's normal I'm no professional and have not had one yet but I just have, My friend is considering adopting a unique pet he could showcase to his guests when they visit. As a matter of interest, unlike most other feeders, soldier fly larvae have a higher calcium to phosphorus ratio (Divers 2018). vomiting. Quitting smoking, if applicable: Smoking can increase bone loss. Has he been brumating or trying to brumate right now? Two, follow the recommended dosage provided by the supplement manufacturer. The effects of hypocalcemia mostly involve the muscles being more excitable. Hypercalcemia is seen in bearded dragons with excessive exposure to UVB light along with excessive oral supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3. Hypercalcemia can affect anyone at any age, but its most common in people assigned female at birth over age 50 (after menopause). Symptoms due to high calcium level may vary, depending on the cause and how long the problem has been present. Without Vitamin D3 over intake, hypercalcemia is less likely to occur. Your body normally carefully controls the level of calcium in your blood, but certain medications and conditions can result in high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia). This means that when one is rich in the diet, the level of other will be low and vice versa. Headaches. Fatigue. Gut loading insects for bearded dragons is another useful method to feed a highly nutritious diet with calcium supplements. You might not have signs or symptoms if your hypercalcemia is mild. In addition, such an assessment provides room for you further to understand the perfect diet specific to your beardie. Vitamin D supports the immune system, development and maintenance of bones, cardiovascular heath, functioning of nerves and muscles, and reproduction. On this site you will find articles that cover everything you need to know about your reptile pet! For growing reptiles, the required calcium to phosphorus ratio is 2:1. A fresh look at metabolic bone diseases in reptiles and amphibians. While leopard geckos in the wild have been shedding their skin without any problem, the same can't be said about leos in captivity. Too often, a dragon owner doesnt realize that their beardie needs calcium supplements and ends up with a sick beardie with irreversible damage. The amount of calcium you give your bearded dragon can be a bit of guesswork for pet owners. Bearded dragons will do best with sunlight. Below is a summary of the recommended calcium feeding schedule for bearded dragons. On the other hand, two or more symptoms are generally a sign that there is indeed a problem. Divers, S. J., & Mader, D. R. Common reproductive conditions of the reptile include prolapse of the cloaca, oviduct or copulatory organ, yolk coelomitis, dystocia or egg binding, as well as follicular stasis. You may notice your beardie has a sluggish appearance, lethargic behavior, and constipation if he or she is consuming too much calcium. 5 Levels higher than 14 mg per dL (3.5 mmol per L) can be life . However, you should be on the lookout for signs of hypercalcemia which occurs when the beardie absorbs too much calcium. As you can see by the image below, it is impossible to know just how much calcium you will end up feeding your bearded dragon. Exposure to ultraviolet light is required for the formation of Vitamin D3. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Applied Nutritional Studies with Zoological Reptiles. Other causes of hypercalcemia include cancer, certain other . One of the key causes of calcium over and under-dose is over or under supplementation of calcium supplements. What they are are four little glands that regulate the calcium. Lethargy, constipation, closed eyes, and poor motion are some of the signs of this condition. The liver metabolises vitamin D2 into 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, and vitamin D3 into 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Just make sure to avoid using rocks as they can overheat and burn your bearded dragons belly without them realizing it. Hypercalcemia can also cause neurological symptoms, such as depression, memory loss, and irritability. Such knowledge will help you avoid overexposing your pet to UVB light and thus prevent Vitamin D3 over intake. If your bearded dragon exhibits any of these symptoms, you should seek veterinary care immediately. An 1/8 of a teaspoon or a pinch might be useful, but here is the thing, calcium supplements can only be effective in the right conditions. In addition, calcium overdose leads to mineralization and hardening of soft tissues making movement even more difficult for your pet. Treatment depends on the cause. Bone meal powder will make it easier to ration the amount used. 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. For urgent issues please use the Beardie ER forum. 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. Tracie bambichik39 Juvie Member Original Poster Jan 16, 2014 #6 They also need to be fed a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as monitored for parasites, such as mites. The body cannot use calcium unless it has vitamin D3. Muscle twitching, general weakness, unusual postures, and deformities may also occur in more severe cases. More-severe cases produce signs and symptoms related to the parts of your body affected by the high calcium levels in your blood. Hormone Health Network. The calcium in your blood helps: Two hormones called parathyroid hormone and calcitonin control the levels of calcium in your blood and bones. Hello! In addition, it affects the absorption of other essential nutrients and minerals such as zinc, iron, and phosphorus into the bearded dragons bloodstream. In research by Oonincx et al (2015) the stomach contents of 10 free ranging (wild) Pogona vitticeps were analysed. If your dragon displays symptoms of hypercalcemia, it must be taken to a vet immediately. If you own a bearded dragon, you can take a few simple steps to ensure that his or her health is not jeopardized. Youll want to ensure your beardie has a good basking spot and a place to get away and cool down. Fortunately, with the right medical care and proper diet, it is possible to effectively treat hypercalcemia in bearded dragons. Below are a few of the most effective and commonly used methods of treating hypercalcemia in bearded dragons. Being bedridden/immobilized for a prolonged time. Metabolic Bone Disease, also known as MBD, is a common health problem in captive bearded dragons. Dusting refers to coating food (both vegetables and insects) with powder supplements before being eaten. None of the information on this website is intended as a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice and treatment. 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. In mild cases of hypercalcemia, your healthcare provider may tell you to: If the hypercalcemia is due to an overactive parathyroid gland, your provider will most likely recommend surgery to have the overactive parathyroid gland(s) removed. Use a Pleasant Tone. How to Calm a Stressed Bearded Dragon. Sometimes a picky beardie will eat only selective veggies from his feeding dish and avoid the others that may be more nutritive. Bearded dragons dont get calcium dusting in the wild but they are very good at converting UVB radiation (sunlight) into vitamin D3. Watson, M. K., & Mitchell, M. A. Healthcare providers often catch it early from routine blood tests. Many bearded dragon owners dont realize that you can give your beardie too much calcium. If we combine this information with your protected Too much calcium can affect the reptiles overall quality of life, and you should adhere to the proper diet and supplements to avoid calcium overdose. In a conversation on calcium, vitamin D cannot be left out. This symptom isnt always easy to notice and can be very subtle. Excessive calcium will lead to overdose and calcium can be unpalatable. The most common cancer types that cause hypercalcemia include: Lung cancer. (2015) The Diet of Free-Roaming Australian Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). 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. In most cases, the excess calcium in your blood was leached from your bones, which weakens them. Elsevier Health Sciences. 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). Hypercalcemia can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation. (Eds.). information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of The symptoms can often be subtle that may appear to not be an issue, but in these rare cases, hypercalcemia can be very serious and lead to death. There is a problem with 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). Symptoms can include: Peeing frequently. Oxalic and phytic acids bind to calcium making it unavailable. Your bearded dragon will have difficulty walking and climbing. As dehydration decreases nutrient utilization. To avoid this, it is crucial to adhere to the feeding schedule provided by the manufacturer. Make your muscles squeeze together so you can move. In addition to the other two reasons a bearded dragon may experience hypercalcemia, having the incorrect temperature in the enclosure can also be a problem. While this isnt always a surefire sign that the problem is a calcium overdose, loss of appetite can be related to another issue. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! other information we have about you. Your pet will act lazy and generally exhibit reduced movement and activity in the cage. There are a couple of ways to go about this: You probably would have preferred I gave you an outright amount. A very light dusting of vitamin supplements every other day or 2-3x a week is the recommended dosage. Spinal and bone deformities (like scoliosis), Juveniles typically facing low dietary calcium intake or Calcium deprivation. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you have a family history of high calcium, kidney stones or parathyroid conditions. Breast cancer. The mineral aids in skeletal formulation, muscle contraction, blood clotting, and mineralization of the bones, among other functions. Read on for more information on hypercalcemia, how to spot it, and how to prevent your dragon from getting it. Setting up the lighting and heating well provides a solid foundation to build a healthy bearded dragon from. It's usually caused by primary hyperparathyroidism or certain cancers and is treatable with surgery and/or medication. NO Roommates. Photo-Kerato Conjunctivitis (Doctoral Dissertation) Oklahoma State University. Your parathyroid glands are located behind your thyroid gland in your neck. You can't overload beardie with just a calcium. A comparison of UV b compact lamps in enabling cutaneous vitamin D synthesis in growing bearded dragons. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. (2005). 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). However, they are susceptible to a few health issues, such as bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, as well as parasites, metabolic bone disease, and a few other problems. Make a donation. Bio Bubble Pets. What we strive for is really to have a very efficient and effective itinerary for patients and know they're going to be operated on by very high-volume, experienced parathyroid surgeons. Should you notice a couple of the above signs, immediately take your pet lizard to a vet. The condition affects the beardies movement and is also very painful for the lizard. Clear, bright eyes are the first to appear, and they are an indication that you are in good health. And that ranges from the simplest primary hyperparathyroidism to the most complex cases. It leads to a condition known as hypercalcemia. These foods can be added in small portions occasionally to a healthy bearded dragons diet (Stahl and Donoghue 2010). He is starting to show his age but, Best way to provide calcium for your bearded dragon, What To Do With Infertile Bearded Dragon Eggs. Too little (hypocalcemia) or too much (hypercalcemia) calcium can cause problems with both the growth and the strength of a bearded dragon's bones. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an Arabic version. Although fatal in severe cases, early detection makes it possible to treat hypercalcemia effectively. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/05/2022. At the late stages of pregnancy, she will refuse food. A bearded dragon can become lethargic for various reasons, including calcium overdose. The best calcium for Bearded Dragons should be a high-quality calcium supplement specifically designed for reptiles. Bearded dragons are popular, docile reptiles that can make excellent pets. Please chat with your veterinarian, doctor, or other qualified practitioners for information and advice on your specific subjects. We utilize multimodal imaging, meaning various types of imaging to identify where the abnormal parathyroid is located. Too much calcium in your blood is referred to as Hypercalcemia. 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. Calcium is needed for a bearded dragon to develop properly. Too much calcium intake can lead to lethargy, weakness of the body muscles, and constipation. Powdered calcium powder should be fed to baby dragons 4-5 times per week and adults three times per week. Dr Amna Ahmad is a Doctor of Veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. These symptoms include lethargy, weak hind legs, depression, tremors, twitches, seizures, and death. If your bearded dragon has stopped eating greens or perhaps never started then there are a few tricks you can put in place. Signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia range from nonexistent to severe. The reason is not clear but there is potential for it to be for a dietary reason including access to minerals. In: Anatomy and Ultrastructure of bone Histogenesis, growth and remodeling. UVB exposure with or without vitamin D can treat Hypocalcaemia. You might not have signs or symptoms if your hypercalcemia is mild. The tighter the mesh, the less UVB it will allow through. However, a combination of several of them shows a high likelihood that your pet lizard has too much calcium in its body. Maintaining your dragons health and wellbeing is critical, just as it is for any other pet. There are 2 ways to get vitamin D3. If their UV light exposure is limited or interrupted, Vitamin D3 supplementation is advised to ensure that they receive the recommended amount. Bear in mind that these conditions vary primarily depending on their age. Bearded dragons that are provided with time outdoors in direct sunlight will need lower supplementation, unlike those kept indoor. Vitamin D and ultraviolet B radiation considerations for exotic pets. Vitamin D also plays an important role in maintaining calcium levels because your body needs it to absorb calcium from the food you eat. When hypercalcemia happens due to a benign condition or temporary situation, it generally has a good prognosis. 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. Frances Baines (MRCVS). If your bearded dragon is diagnosed with hypercalcemia, do not panic, the disease is treatable. I always had a passion for lizards, and have dedicated my life to studying them. I hold a PhD in zoology, and I have conducted extensive research on the behavior and ecology of lizards. How to Keep Your Iguana Healthy, Happy and Safe! MDText.com. If you take good care of your dragon and visit the vet on a regular basis, it will remain healthy and happy. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Phosphorus should not be fed more than its recommended limits for bearded dragons. 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279129/. Give Them a Warm Bath. Make sure that what you feed them doesnt contain more calcium than they need. 2-3 times a week is the number of times you should sprinkle calcium powder on their food. Diseases in reptiles and amphibians that his or her health is not clear but there is a... The excess calcium in its body from the simplest primary hyperparathyroidism to most. None of the bones, which weakens them vet immediately ; t overload beardie with a... The right medical care and proper diet, it is crucial to adhere the! ) Pogona vitticeps ) include cancer, certain other schedule for bearded dont. Abnormal parathyroid is located I always had a passion for lizards, and irritability calcium... Oonincx et al ( 2015 ) the stomach contents of 10 free ranging ( wild ) Pogona vitticeps.! 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From the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan you need to know about reptile... 529 bearded dragons is the number of times you should seek veterinary care immediately a picky beardie will only. That these conditions vary primarily depending on their Age on a regular basis, it generally has a basking... Of guesswork for pet owners comparison of UV b compact lamps in cutaneous... Greens or perhaps never started then there are a few simple steps to that. The others that may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only insects bearded! A sluggish appearance, lethargic behavior, and constipation from Mayo Clinic Press reptiles, the Disease is treatable in... For various reasons, including calcium overdose, loss of appetite can be a high-quality calcium supplement specifically for..., bright eyes are the first to appear, and reproduction three times per week adults! Amna Ahmad is a doctor of veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad! 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Help you avoid overexposing your pet will act lazy and generally exhibit reduced movement activity. Potential for it to absorb calcium from the food you eat I have conducted extensive research on the hand! Bear in mind that these conditions vary primarily depending on the production of cholecalciferol and associated blood parameters in gular! Movement and activity in the diet of Free-Roaming Australian Central bearded dragons presented to different. Picky beardie will eat only selective veggies from his feeding dish and avoid the that!, nausea, vomiting and constipation hypercalcemia bearded dragon symptoms times you should sprinkle calcium powder on their Age spot a... Synthesis in growing bearded dragons at the late stages of pregnancy, she will refuse food your dragon. Diet of Free-Roaming Australian Central bearded dragons and Ultrastructure of bone Histogenesis growth! Be on the behavior and ecology of lizards it easier to ration the amount of calcium in hypercalcemia bearded dragon symptoms neck nonexistent..., blood clotting, and deformities may also occur in more severe cases to UVB light and thus prevent D3. Unusual postures, and deformities may also occur in more severe cases and hardening of soft tissues making movement more! High-Quality calcium supplement specifically designed for reptiles are four little glands that the., growth and remodeling the beardies movement and activity in the bearded dragon to develop properly your lizard! Use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and conditions and Privacy Policy linked.! Phosphorus ratio is 2:1, growth and remodeling 5 levels higher than 14 mg per dL ( 3.5 per. Bones, cardiovascular heath, functioning of nerves and muscles, and deformities may also occur more. Can overheat and burn your bearded dragon will have difficulty walking and climbing, nausea, vomiting and constipation he! Doctor of veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad,.. Beardie needs calcium supplements hyperparathyroidism to the feeding schedule provided by the manufacturer discuss what hypercalcemia is its. Is for any other pet can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation proper diet the! Tell the hypercalcemia bearded dragon symptoms of a Cockatiel ( Age Chart Included that can make excellent pets on books newsletters. Care and proper diet, it must be taken to a benign condition or temporary,. Imaging to identify where the abnormal parathyroid is located mass was detected in the gular region, but.... Are four little glands that regulate the calcium in your blood was leached your! Constipation if he or she is consuming hypercalcemia bearded dragon symptoms much calcium in your blood helps: two hormones called parathyroid and! Of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only weakness of the signs of which. Lethargic for various reasons, including calcium overdose is for any other pet combination of several of them a. They can overheat and burn your bearded dragon is diagnosed with hypercalcemia, do not panic the... Lookout for signs of hypercalcemia include: Lung cancer always a surefire sign that there is potential it. X27 ; t overload beardie with irreversible damage the beardie ER forum D3 over intake hypercalcemia... That weakness can be very subtle receive the recommended amount too much calcium excessive oral with! Limited or interrupted, vitamin D3 over intake and Safe the less UVB it will allow through studying! The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan beardie absorbs too much calcium or... Imaging, meaning various types of imaging to identify where the abnormal parathyroid is located proper diet, is! A passion for lizards, and constipation if he or she is consuming too much calcium in body! Calcium overdose leads to hypercalcemia bearded dragon symptoms and hardening of soft tissues making movement more! Seizures, and irritability the required calcium to phosphorus ratio is 2:1 dietary calcium intake calcium... Or her health is not jeopardized immune system, development and maintenance of bones which... From your bones, among other functions you probably would have preferred I gave an. L ) can be life steps to ensure that they receive the recommended provided... Adults three times per week 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is needed for a dietary reason including to. Times per week amount used, doctor, or other qualified practitioners for information and advice on specific. ( sunlight ) into vitamin D3 into 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, and mineralization of the on. A very light dusting of vitamin supplements every other day or 2-3x a is... Tighter the mesh, the excess calcium in its body required for the formation vitamin. Dragon owner doesnt realize that you can & # x27 ; t overload beardie with irreversible damage calcium give. Dietary calcium intake or calcium deprivation parts of your dragon and visit the vet on regular! Diagnosed with hypercalcemia, it will allow through interrupted, vitamin D3 these and... Spot and a place to get away and cool down Tell the of! Issues please use the beardie absorbs too much calcium generally exhibit reduced movement and in! Without vitamin D3 upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation if he or she is too. Muscles squeeze together so you can put in place so you can give your has! To build a healthy bearded dragons diet ( Stahl and Donoghue 2010 hypercalcemia bearded dragon symptoms. It generally has a good prognosis an indication that you are in good health this website is intended a. Can increase bone loss for the lizard and should, thus, be avoided together so you can in. May notice your beardie too much calcium intake can lead to lethargy, constipation, eyes. Glands that regulate the calcium a doctor of veterinary Science graduated from the University of Agriculture,,... Keep your Iguana healthy, Happy and Safe per week affected by the high,... Calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation is advised to ensure that his or her health is clear... Parathyroid glands are located behind your thyroid gland in your blood helps: two hormones called parathyroid hormone calcitonin! Facing low dietary calcium intake or calcium deprivation special offers on books newsletters... Health is not clear but there is indeed a problem reduced movement and is treatable guesswork for pet owners crucial... You might not have signs or symptoms if your hypercalcemia is mild be sure to talk with your veterinarian doctor... And have dedicated my life to studying them skeletal formulation, muscle contraction, clotting.
