Come on down to Devlyn Town ... Smart little guy! When they are upside down, their stomach pushes directly on their lungs, which constricts their breathing greatly. If you’ve already looked into it, you know there are primarily two ways you can offer your dragon supplements at home: liquid or powder. Another reason that your bearded dragon may be upside down is because of metabolic bone disease or MBD, which is basically when the calcium deficiency poses long-term health consequences on your bearded dragon. Occasionally, twitching of toes and limbs is noted prior to handling. I now have the UVB light above him and he is placed gently in his basking spot. Luckily, all three of these causes are easy to fix. Do you give him vegetables? Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the body) is rare in bearded dragons, but it can happen, and it can result in illness and death. Similarly, too narrow of a basking area makes it difficult for the bearded dragon to move without falling off, thus increasing the chances of him falling off the ledge. When the calcium level is relatively low the body tries to compensate by taking calcium from wherever it can, including from the bones. Unfortunately, MBD is one of the most common diseases among domestic bearded dragons, but it’s so easily preventable with. If you find your bearded dragon upside down, it is important to put him back on his stomach immediately. My bearded dragon has a calcium deficiency please help !? Lack of calcium in the diet, not gut-loading live feed and absence of UVB tube light in a tank will cause Metabolic bone disease. In other words, your beardie cannot function properly without calcium. Keep an eye out for any signs of illness. Calcium is important to every creature, but bearded dragons especially need to keep their bones sturdy. Poor supplementation. If your bearded dragon has an underbite alongside any of the symptoms of metabolic bone disease, you should immediately contact your vet. Calcium deficiency causes a number of negative health concerns for bearded dragons, such as muscle twitches or metabolic bone disease. Of course, the exception would be a dragon who has metabolic bone disease or another condition which would require a more intense supplement regimen. However, if you rely on more than 50% bearded dragon commercial diets including pellets, live or dried feeder insects, and so on, do not supplement any multivitamin or calcium these diets will meet your pet’s nutritional needs (Stahl Donoghue 2010).. 1. Talk to your vet and see if they have any other notes or recommendations for your beardie. Although it can be a bit stomach-wrenching to feed your bearded dragon these hoppity little insects, bearded dragons absolutely love crickets. In addition, you should consider upping your bearded dragon’s calcium intake just in case. To be on the safe side, peel your fruits before adding them to your bearded dragon’s menu. In addition to the three reasons discussed above, there are other reasons that your bearded dragon may be upside down. Metabolic Bone Disease can even leave bearded dragons deformed, with limbs that curl up or drag along as they move. Just make sure to keep an eye on your beardie while offering treatment to make sure that he doesn’t fall on his back again and injure himself. 6 month to 1 year bearded dragon should take calcium every other day and vitamins 3 times a week. Trouble getting my Dragon to... Hives When Holding Beardie Bearded … If you wish, you could also add in a secondary calcium supplement to your dragon’s feeding schedule, but it isn’t necessarily something you have to do. Once you place the bearded dragon back on his stomach, begin to find the cause. Very young dragons may be tremendously bloated and uncomfortable. Fruits such as apples and pineapples have a tough outer skin, which a bearded dragon is unable to swallow. This site is owned and operated by ReptileJam.com, a limited liability company headquartered in Indiana, USA. Generally it’s safe to supplement calcium anywhere from a few times a week to once a day. Why does calcium matter so … But in many cases, powder is quicker and easier. It is commonly associated with calcium deficiency and weakens the bones. This is worth noting because calcium (as well as vitamin D3) is one of the most important minerals these animals can receive. Offer calcium and Vitamin D3 regularly. After you have set your bearded dragon back on his stomach, try to figure out the cause. All you will need to do is purchase a different basking area that is neither too high nor too narrow. In short, all of the same treatments for calcium deficiency will apply here. Additionally, consider feeding your bearded dragon crickets. The disease causes serious bone, muscle, and tissue damage, which can result in paralysis or death. One of the most common reasons that your bearded dragon is upside down is calcium deficiency. The vet will do advanced checked, usually including blood tests and depending on the result of the blood test they will often administer oral injections of calcium and vitamin D. Bearded dragons spend most of their lives on their feet and stomach. These are oxalate and phosphorus levels, … If you choose to do this, it’s best to ensure they are not getting any additional Vitamin A (unless your vet determines your dragon is seriously deficient in Vitamin A). Supplementing with calcium helps you have more control over how much calcium your dragon is actually consuming. A deficiency in this fat-soluble vitamin will result in calcium deficiency since it is vital in the intestinal absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus. It's extremely important that you buy an additional light that produces UVB rays. As a rule of thumb, a Vitamin D3 supplement can be safely provided about two to three times a week. A healthy and balanced diet can make all the difference in keeping your beardie healthy. The shaking seems prevalent when Zeus moves toward his food bowl. You may notice some products on the market that contain both calcium and Vitamin D3. Help them feel a little more like the predator they were born to be. When it comes to their multi vitamin, mix it in with their calcium just one time a … Calcium is nothing to your dragon without Vitamin D3. To prevent it from happening in the first place though, always make sure that your bearded dragon is getting enough calcium. Dragons can develop a calcium deficiency from typically one or two things: Not enough proper UVB exposure or not enough calcium (duh). 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