VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES: PART 2

Vitamin and mineral supplements are often added to many reptile diets. However, as with many other products, too much can be as dangerous as not enough. Preparations should contain both fat and water soluble vitamins and minerals essential for proper nutrition. Adding any supplement to your reptiles water may increase the decomposition of the product as well as decrease the reptiles water consumption. Adding supplements to salads may effect their palatability. Commercial supplements should be stored in a cool, dark place and products without expiration dates should be avoided.

Vitamin A deficiency is rare in herbivorous reptiles. Beta carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, is present in green leafy plants, yellow and orange vegetables, and fruit. Yolk remaining at the time of hatching will usually provide adequate vitamin A levels for approximately six months. Vitamin A is stored in the liver; diets heavy in animal protein can deplete these stores so ensure that your bearded is getting a balanced food source daily of proteins and leafy vegetables and fruits.  A deficiency in bera-carotine will cause the coloration of your bearded dragon to fade over time. This is especially prevalent in lizards with bright color variations. The easiest way to rectify the problem is to include carrots and yellow vegetables in the bearded dragon’s diet.


 Thiamin (Vitamin B1) deficiency is caused by feeding items that contain the enzyme thiaminase rather than by feeding a thiamin deficient diet.  Thiaminase breaks down the animals stored supply of thiamine.  Feeding your bearded large amounts of vegetables that have been frozen can create this problem because freezing decreases vitamin levels and increases thiaminase activity.  Thiamine is necessary for the proper development and function of nervous tissues. A thiamine deficiency is characterized by nervous disorders such as: twitching, spasms, blindness, abnormal posture, and an inability to use specific muscle groups.  Thiamin deficiency can also lead to dystocia, egg-retention, and other reproductive disorders. These signs may also be seen with other vitamin deficiencies such as vitamin E or selenium and they may also be related to other disease processes. Treatment with a thiamine supplement usually will correct the problem. Adding a small amount of Brewer's yeast to any frozen food item prior to feeding will also help.

 Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is produced within the kidney and gastrointestinal tract of reptiles. A herbivorous diet, rich in green, leafy vegetables and citrus fruits is sufficient to prevent this deficiency from occurring. Affected reptiles will exhibit signs of bruising, bleeding gums, separation and tearing of the skin, and occasionally diarrhea. Administration of Vitamin C, is recommended as part of the medical treatment of infectious stomatitis.

 Vitamin D deficiency will result in a decrease in the calcium absorption from the large intestine and a subsequent decrease in the quality of bone growth and development. These changes will be more obvious in young, rapidly growing reptiles.  This occurs from two sources:  when the lizards are not being fed sufficient bone material and/or  from low or no exposure to ultraviolet stimulation either from direct, unfiltered sunlight or from full-spectrum reptile lights.  They will exhibit symptoms called 'rickets' where their bones and jaw grow misshapen, gait is poor and they are sluggish.   On the other hand, vitamin D overdosage will cause an excess amount of calcium to be absorbed, resulting in calcium deposits within soft tissues,  (including the heart),  that can be seen and felt by gentle touching.

 Vitamin E deficiency is usually related to appalling husbandry practice pertaining to the reptiles diet, such as feeding rancid or spoiled food. Carnivorous reptiles may develop a deficiency because fish is high in saturated fats, resulting in this condition. If fish is fed to a reptile, you need to make sure it is either fresh or fresh-frozen and avoid fatty fish such as feeder goldfish. Signs of vitamin E deficiency include anorexia, steatitis, and swollen nodules under the skin. These nodules are actually abnormal fat deposits, the skin covering these areas is usually discolored yellow or orange.

 Vitamin K is synthesized by the normal intestinal flora of reptiles. Vitamin K deficiency may occur following long-term use of oral antibiotics, or following consumption of animals poisoned with warfarin, strychnine, or other coumadin derivatives. Feeding fresh yogurt,  will help replenish the reptiles norm.

As Always, when you suspect your reptile is ill, observe all symptoms and signs carefully, document everything and take your reptile to the vet.  It is dangerous to begin administering vitamin potions etc without professional guidance as most vitamins work as enzymes with other nutrients and this process requires fuel to occur. Administering vitamins to anorexic animals without also administering food, may result in an overdose of the vitamin. There are varied doses of most vitamins for reptiles. Because of this, specific doses should be calculated for your repitle by a Veternarian.

Bearded Dragon Greens/Vegetables/Fruits and Treats

All food information in the below tables is based on information received from http://www.greenigsociety.org/foodchart.htm.  The Green Iguana Society Site has additional information on the food items below, such as, pictures of the food and more specific nutritional information.  My purpose in reordering their tables was so I could use them as a shopping list.

Staple Greens	Information	Preparation
Chicory Greens (Escarole)	Excellent Staple when mixed with other greens.  High in Calcium.	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop, shred or discard stems.
Collard Greens	Excellent Staple.  High in Calcium and Goitrogens.	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop, shred or discard stems.  Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Dandelion Green	Excellent Staple.  High in Calcium.	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop, shred or discard stems.  Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Endive	Excellent Staple when mixed with other greens.  High in Calcium.	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop, shred or discard stems.  Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Mustard Greens	Excellent choice for greens. High in calcium, but somewhat high in goitrogens.	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop, shred or discard stems.  Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Turnip Greens	Very high in Calcium.  Somewhat high amount of Oxalates and Goitrogens.	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop, shred or discard stems.  Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Watercress	Very high in Calcium

Staple Vegetables	Information	Preparation
Acorn Squash	Good Fiber	Discard rinds.  Finely chop/shred core.
Butternut Squash	Very good Staple.  Excellent Fiber.	Discard peel and core.  Finely chop/shred.
Green Beans	Good Staple	Finely chop/shred.
Kabocha Squash		Discard peel and core.  Finely chop/shred.
Okra		Finely chop/shred.
Parsnip	High in Fiber and Carbohydrates.	Peel and shred.
Snap Peas		Finely chop.
Sweet Potato		Peel and finely chop.
Yucca Root (Cassava)		Peel and finely chop/shred.

Staple Fruit	Information	Preparation
Cactus Leaves (Prickly Pear)	High Calcium.	Finely Chop/Shred.
Mango		Peel, Pit, Finely Chop/Crush.
Papaya	Good source of fiber.	Peel, Remove Seeds, Finely Chop/Shred.

Other Staples	Information	Preparation
Alfalfa

Occasional Greens	Information	Preparation
Beet Greens	High in Oxalates	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop or discard stems.
Bok Choy	High in Goitrogens.	Cut green portion into large pieces or strips.  Finely chop white portion or discard.
Carrot Tops	High in Oxalates.	Finely chop.
Coriander (Cilantro)	High in Oxalates.	Finely chop.
Kale	High in Oxalates and Goitrogens.	Cut into larger pieces or strips.  Finely chop, shred or discard stems.  Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Parsley	High in Calcium.	Finely Chop.
Spinach	High in Calcium, Oxalates and Goitrogens.	Finely Chop.
Swiss Chard	High in Oxalates.	Finely Chop.

 

Occasional Vegetables	Information	Preparation
Asparagus	Good source of protein.	Finely chop/shred.
Beets	High in Oxalates.	Finely chop.
Bell Peppers	Great taste and color enhancer.	Discard core.  Finely chop/shred.
Broccoli	High in Oxalates and Goitrogens.	Finely chop/shred.  Can also feed leaves.
Brussels Sprouts	High in Goitrogens.	Finely chop/shred.
Cabbage	High in Goitrogens.	Finely chop/shred.
Carrots	May cause extremely runny and smelly poop.	Discard peels.  Finely chop/shred.
Cauliflower	High in Goitrogens.	Finely chop/shred.
Celery		Very Finely chop/shred.
Cucumber	Lacks nutrition.  Good for Water.	Finely chop/shred.
Mushrooms	Very high in phosphorus.	Finely chop.
Pumpkin		Remove rind, core and finely chop/shred.
Rutabaga		Peel and finely chop/shred.
Spaghetti Squash		Peel, core and finely chop.
Yellow Squash		Very Finely chop/shred.
Zucchini		Very Finely chop/shred.

Occasional Fruits	Information	Preparation
Apples		Peel, core and finely chop.
Bananas		Peels can be fed if organically grown.
Blackberries	Great Treats.
Cantaloupe	Great source of Water.	Discard rinds and core.  Finely chop.
Grapes	Great Treat.  High in Oxalates.  High in Water.	Crush/chop.
Honeydew Melon		Discard rinds and core.  Finely chop.
Kiwi		Discard peel and seeds.  Finely chop/crush
Peaches	High Goitrogens.	Peel, remove pitts and chop.
Pears	High in Oxalates.	Peel, core and finely chop.
Raspberries	High in Fiber	Only give whole to adult beardies.  Crush otherwise
Strawberries	High in Oxalates and Goitogens.	Remove stems and tops, finely chop.
Tomatoes	High in Oxalates.  Great color enhancer.	Finely chop.
Watermelon	High Water.  Little nutrition.

Other Occasionals	Information	Preparation
Dahlia	Great Treat.
Hibiscus	Great Treat.  Don't use if treated with pesticides or chemicals.	Feed flower and leaves.
Lentils		Cook, Finely Chop
Nasturtiums	Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.
Pasta (cooked)		Cook, cool and chop.  Only use pasta made without egg.
Rice (cooked)		Cook, drain and cool.
Whole Wheat Bread	Just use as an occasional treat.  Great to hide liquid medicine in.

Rare or Never	Information	Preparation
Corn	Extremely low in Calcium and high in Phosphorus.  Use only if diet is high in Calcium.	Finely chop.
Cabbage	High in Goitrogens.	Finely chop/shred.
Lettuces	Poor in overall nutritional value.  Romaine lettuce can also cause extremely runny and smelly poop.
Chemically treated foods	Avoid feeding any vegetables, flowers, fruits that have been treated with any pesticides.

Source:  http://blackninjakitty.com/herps/care/troystuttlegreeniglist.htm