Hypocalcemia In Reptiles

Symptoms

• The early-stage symptoms of hypocalcemia include sluggishness, swollen limbs and lack of appetite. The reptile may also appear weak. If it is an arboreal reptile, it may no longer climb and instead spend the majority of its time on the ground.

  The symptoms of advanced hypocalcemia include tremors (the reptile will shake) and rubbery-looking limbs. The limbs look flexible and rubbery because the bones have become so soft that they can be bent easily, resulting in lumps and kinks, particularly in the spine or tail. The reptile may also no longer be able to eat on its own. In reptiles with shells such as turtles, the shell may soften and bend.

Causes

• Hypocalcemia is most often caused by a lack of calcium in the reptile's diet or by the lack of adequate UVB lighting. If calcium is not offered, the reptile's bones will weaken. If calcium is offered but vitamin D3 via a UVB light is not, the reptile will not absorb or "synthesize" the calcium it is given.

  Hypocalcemia can also result when the reptile's calcium-to-phosphorous body ratio is out of balance. Ideally, it should be 1:1 or 2:1. If there is more phosphorous in the system, the reptile's body may pull calcium from the bones to compensate.

  Diurnal lizards and geckos are far more likely to develop hypocalcemia than nocturnal lizards, geckos and snakes because nocturnal animals do not generally require as much vitamin D3 as diurnal animals. Also, snakes swallow their prey whole, including the internal organs, fur and bones. This provides the snake with a much more complete diet that is similar to their diet in the wild, whereas the wild diets of other reptiles are more challenging to recreate in captivity effectively and generally require supplements.

  Hypocalcemia can also be observed in female reptiles who are about to lay eggs. If not supplemented with additional calcium during this time, the reptile can suffer a deficiency that leads to hypocalcemia.

Treatment

• Treatment of advanced hypocalcemia should involve introducing a UVB light to the reptile's enclosure and supplementing the reptile with liquid calcium, which is available through a veterinary prescription or at most drug stores. It is safer to obtain the calcium from a veterinarian, because the veterinarian can recommend a safe dosage for the reptile.

  Mix one to two drops of this calcium with the reptile's food, or give it alone orally with a syringe. In extreme cases, a veterinarian may inject the reptile with calcium.

  Caution should be taken to ensure the reptile is getting enough food and water; hand feeding may be necessary while the reptile is too weak to get to its food.

X-rays

• Because some reptile owners may not recognize the more extreme symptoms of hypocalcemia, and because general sluggishness or lack of appetite are symptoms of many reptile illnesses, a veterinarian may take x-rays of the affected reptile for a more accurate diagnosis. Bones in a reptile affected by hypocalcemia will show up extremely faint on x-rays.

Prevention/Solution

• Meeting the reptile's dietary and habitat needs is the best way to prevent hypocalcemia.

  You can prevent hypocalcemia by making sure that the reptile is in the proper habitat and is receiving the proper supplementation with its food, depending on the species. For most reptiles, this means dusting feeder insects with a calcium and vitamin powder before feeding.

  If required, ensure the reptile has a properly functioning UVB light and that the light is on for approximately 12 hours per day. The calcium levels of female reptiles who are laying eggs should also be closely monitored.

  Because skeletal damage like kinks and lumps is permanent even if the reptile recovers from hypocalcemia, prevention is key to ensuring the long lifespan of the reptile.