Calcium:
Calcium is lost every day through urine, feces, nails and skin. The only way to get more of this Calcium is through the diet. If the Calcium is not taken in, the body will take what it needs from the bones, which in turn will make the bones weak and brittle.
Calcium is a very important mineral in the body. The skeleton is built up by Calcium and stores what the body will need to use for other purposes. Calcium's major jobs, other than strengthening the bones and teeth, are to help the blood clot and the nerves work properly. It helps transmit signals for muscles to work correctly, which include making the heart work properly and beating steadily.
From the time your dragon is in the egg, Calcium will play an important part in its development. Calcium is deposited into the shell of the egg by the mother's body. The baby will intake the Calcium it needs from the shell to start developing into a beautiful little dragon.
From hatching to 18 months of age, your Bearded Dragon's bones are forming and growing. Calcium is very important at this stage. Choose the correct greens and supplements to provide the most that will help your dragon grow strong and healthy.
Vitamin D3
The major function of Vitamin D3 is to help maintain normal blood levels of Calcium and Phosphorus. It helps your body to absorb the Calcium via the gastrointestinal tract so bones become strong and healthy.
Vitamin D3 dissolves in fats, therefore making some forms of Vitamin D3 inactive in the body. The liver and kidneys help convert the Vitamin D3 into its active form.
Ultra Violet rays from sun light trigger Vitamin D3 to be synthesized through your skin.
Too much Vitamin D3 can cause toxicity.....symptoms are nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness and weight loss. It can also raise blood levels of Calcium which can cause confusion. High blood levels of Calcium can also cause heart rhythm abnormalities, and the deposition of Calcium and Phosphate in the kidneys (ie kidney stones).
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
Respiratory Tract Infections
Gastrointestinal Parasites
Coccidiosis/Coccidia
Pin Worm
Flagellates
Gout
Hepatic Lipidosis Syndrome
Partial Paralysis Associated with Hind Leg Extension
Yellow Fungus
Mites
Prolapse
Egg Binding (Dystocia)
Periodental Disease
Mouth Rot (Ulcerative Stomatitis)
Hypercalcemia
Hypervitaminosis A
Hypothiaminosis
Impaction
Tail Rot
Injuries