Bearded Dragon Head Twitching Or İs He Sick?
A bearded dragon twitches due to a chronic lack of vitamin D and calcium.
These are necessary for a bearded dragon’s health and play a part in various body activities and processes.
Twitching is most likely a symptom of Metabolic Bone Condition (MBD), the most frequent disease in this reptile that necessitates medical care.
Seeing your bearded dragon twitch may be frightening and perplexing, mainly if it is the first time you have seen it.
You may have noted certain body parts twitching or observed this reaction across your bear’s body.
In any case, what does this signify, and is there anything we can or should do to help them at this challenging time?
Of course, it begins with determining the reason and answering the question, “Why is my bearded dragon twitching?”
Swollen legs, brittle bones, and abnormalities in the limbs, jaw, spine, or tail are other indications and symptoms of MBD.
Specific dietary and living situation adjustments, such as getting enough calcium and vitamin D, may help prevent or treat MBD.
Twitching is a prominent symptom that something is amiss with your bearded dragon.
Owners may notice this early on, generally in a single limb such as the head or tail.
Why is my bearded dragon twitching his head?
Others may have a more advanced deficit, with twitching occurring over the whole body.
In any case, it often needs the assistance and knowledge of a veterinarian who can do examinations/tests and prescribe a proper course of therapy for your beardie.
To begin with, as a bearded dragon owner, there are things you can do to assist avoid and reversing minor instances.
It is our obligation as reptile owners to make sure they have all they need to be healthy and satisfy their wants and expectations.
To begin, plenty of leafy green veggies are required. This ensures that kids are getting enough calcium in their diet.
Second, make sure your bearded dragon‘s habitat is appropriately warmed since heat helps reptiles absorb the calcium in their food.
Finally, make sure your bearded dragon is exposed to UV light since these assist reptiles in getting enough Vitamin D and adequately absorbing and utilizing calcium.
How do I know if my bearded dragon is deficient in calcium?
All reptiles, including the bearded dragon, are vulnerable to metabolic bone disease (MBD).
MBD occurs as a result of low amounts of Vitamin D3 and calcium in a reptile’s system.
It is most often encountered by youngsters (beardies under the age of two years), although it may and does develop in bearded dragons of all ages.
The major reasons for the start of this condition are an insufficient diet with an uneven phosphorous to calcium ratio (in favor of phosphorous), a lack of nutritional forms of Vitamin D3, and a lack of adequate and suitable light exposure (UVB light, particularly).
Unfortunately, MBD is a prevalent sickness in bearded dragons, and every responsible beardie owner should be aware of the signs and remedies for this condition.
MBD may take months or years to develop, and it does not progress fast.
Twitching is one of the signs of MBD, which also causes swelling of legs and fragile bones and may lead to irreversible malformations in the jaw, spine, tail, and limbs.
These symptoms are caused by a vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous imbalance in the body.
All of which must be in the proper proportions for a bearded dragon’s biological systems to function properly.
The calcium-phosphorus ratio should be two parts calcium to one component phosphorus.
Take notice that twitching is an indication that MBD has progressed and must be treated by a veterinarian.
What Are Metabolic Bone Disease Symptoms? (Mild And Severe)
The whole range of MBD symptoms vary depending on the severity and duration of the disorder.
The majority of the symptoms listed below are related to muscle and bone effects:
- Arched spine or bumps on the spine’s bones
- Jaw is swollen and squishy.
- Lower jaw retraction
- Jerky movements and muscular tremors, or muscle twitching in the toes and legs
- Swollen or bent legs, or bulges on the leg’s long bone
- Partial paralysis and weakness ( due to their physical weakness)
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Constipation
- Limping and immobility
And Result
- Finally, twitching is a strong indication that your bearded dragon is suffering from metabolic bone disease and requires emergency medical intervention.
- MBD is exceedingly lethal to your reptile, and the prognosis may vary from moderate to severe depending on the stage of the ailment at the time of diagnosis.
- Captive bearded dragons often lack the nutrients of a seasonal and diverse diet that their wild counterparts enjoy, which contributes to MBD.
- However, MBD may be avoided by practicing appropriate husbandry, which involves feeding your dragon a balanced diet with the right calcium-to-phosphorous ratio.
- Second, provide appropriate warmth for your dragon, since warm temperatures assist bearded dragons to absorb calcium in their body.
- Make sure your pet’s cage has some cool spots.
Third, UV lights aid in the calcium digestion of your bearded dragon.
Finally, your reptile will need specific calcium soaks.
Their bodies have calcium-absorbing vents.
It takes a lot of work to maintain a bearded dragon healthy, but your efforts should result in no twitching and no bone illness.