D3 Toxicity - Help!

[Margalot]

My beardie, Valentine, is 6 months old and I believe he has D3 poisoning. What should I do?

Here's the whole story: I have been dusting his food daily with calcium + D3 supplement. In addition to a Reptisun 10.0 running the length of his terrarium, I added a MVB for spot basking at the beginning of March. He started walking clumsily after two weeks, and by the end of March he couldn't walk at all–he just failed about as though he were swimming–, he became lethargic, wanted to stay in his hide all day long, lost his appetite, and had occasional twitching. By then I had taken him to the vet, and was given medication for MBD. However, I have been giving him the medication since the end of March till now and there has been no improvement at all. During this time I have continued supplementing him with a pinch of calcium + D3 dust at feedings (I've resorted to syringe feeding). Only now have I learned that D3 toxicity is possible, and I'm afraid the combination of the MVB light and the D3 supplements have made him sick.

Since I learned about D3 toxicity, I've stopped giving him D3 supplements, and have moved the MVB a little farther away from his basking spot. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks for your help.

PS: I'm also afraid this whole thing may have stunted his growth. At six months old, he is 8.5" from tip to tip and weighs 36 grams. Is this too small?

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Sorry hes not well. I doubt its d3 over doing as thats really hard to do with just using a pinch a day. How are the temps and how do you take them? I would turn off that mvb and use regular household bulb and see if that helps. What brand is the mvb?

 

[Taterbug]

It may be worth a follow up with the vet since he hasn't shown improvement. Is a blood test within your means? It may better tell your vet whats going on with his calcium levels as well as his D3.

Do you have anything obstructing the UVB lights?

With such a little guy I would worry about offering Calcium +D3 by the pinch. The lights won't be a problem since natural D3 is self limiting, but the supplements can be. Generally its difficult to overdose with larger dragons, but size/weight is part of what determines a safe dose and he is quite small.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Which medication are you using for him, a liquid calcium supplement? How much of it are you using?
You were using the calcium with D3 along with the medication? If it is a liquid calcium & you are using it in combination with the powdered calcium with D3, then it could have caused an imbalance possibly.
Which MVB light are you using? How close is it to him?
That is fine to use a MVB in conjunction with the Reptisun 10 tube bulb.

Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[Margalot]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I'm going to try to answer everyone's questions:

Warm side is about 105-110°F and cool side is 80-85°F and I use a temp gun
The MVB is a Mega-Ray 100 Watt
The MVB had been 12" away from him, but I have recently moved it to about 14" away.
The only thing between the lights is a wire mesh with very wide holes. I'll post a pic below.
The medication is calcium syrup given .05 ml orally. (The first month I was only giving .01 ml, but on April 9th the vet increased the dosage)
Yes, I was using the pinch of calcium + D3 in conjunction with the medication.

Thank you for your help and suggestions!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Thanks for the information on the setup.
I haven't tested a Megaray in awhile but if they are roughly as strong as they have previously been then I will have to agree it is going to be D3 overdosing & possibly too much calcium also.
I would discontinue the calcium powder with D3 right now & back down on the liquid calcium too. What is the strength of the calcionate?
When did he start walking strangely, right after the start of the use of Megaray? Is the other light on top of the screen, an extra basking light?
Moving it to a distance of 14 inches was a good idea also. How close is the Reptisun 10 tube bulb to him, 8 or so inches?
Too much calcium can cause calcification of bones, along with softening of connective tissue. It can throw off the balance in the bloodstream & contribute to an imbalance of absorption of calcium & phosphorus.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[Margalot]

Valentine's energy has been declining since this weekend. On Sunday he threw up. I spoke to his vet on Monday, and she said that there's nothing more we can do for him. She said his chances of survival are slim, and should be make it he would have permanent damage to his skeletal system and organs due to the duration of his illness. I'll continue to care for him, but it's heartbreaking to see him in this state. Thank you to everyone who responded to this thread. If Valentine really does come out this all right, I'll be sure to post about it.

Tracie, to answer your questions:
I'm not sure of the strength of the calcium syrup; it's not indicated on the bottle.
He first showed signs of having trouble walking about 2 weeks after installing the Mega-Ray.
Yes, the third light in the middle is a ceramic heater I use if it is particularly cold in the apartment, but it's usually not necessary.
The Reptisun is about 10 inches away from the bottom of the terrarium.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Go ahead & try removing the Megaray & use just a regular household light or a halogen light for basking & just use the Reptisun 10 tube bulb.
Did you decrease the liquid calcium also? For now, I would cease all calcium supplementation for a little while right now to try & get his system to clean out a little bit.
Can he get around at all right now?

Please keep us posted on Valentine....

Tracie