Hypocalcemia in terrapins

Hypocalcemia refers to low levels of calcium (calcium deficiency) in the bloodstream. It is also referred to as ‘metabolic bone disease’.

Calcium is one of the most important elements found inside the body. It has many jobs, but the most important one for understanding the effect on calcium in the body, is that it makes muscles contract. Calcium moves in and out of muscle cell walls causing the muscle fibre to contract.

Calcium enters the body through food. In the wild the terrapin would eat a huge variety of food such as mice, fish small frogs. These have also been feeding in the wild environment increasing the nutritional value of that food. Terrapins also eat whole animals which in turn have an excellent vitamin D3 and calcium store in the form of the skeleton. However, some terrapins are fed strips of meat or fish which are not whole and therefore can lack in vitamins and minerals.

A common method of increasing the amount of calcium in the body is to dust the food with calcium powder. This will help provide your terrapin with the required calcium amounts.

Calcium cannot enter the body without vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 acts as a key in the intestine to let calcium into the blood stream. This is one of the reasons why  UV light (wavelength 290-350 nm) is important.

UV light reacts with cholesterol in the skin and changes it through several chain reactions in the liver and finally in the kidney to make active vitamin D3 that the body is able to use. Reptiles cannot store Vitamin D3 and are unable to change vitamin D2 to D3 as mammals can. A good source of UV light at the correct height is vital (30-45 cm away from the terrapins main basking spot).

In terrapins this can cause weakening of the bones causing them to bend or break. The shell may be forced to  grow into strange shapes as the muscles are stronger than the soft bendy bone.

There are several times in a terrapin’s life when calcium has an elevated role. Growth demands a lot of calcium to support lengthening bones. As the terrapin becomes an adult, the amount of calcium required is reduced.

Female terrapins also need extra calcium when they reach reproductive age. The ovaries and eggs require huge amounts of calcium. The body sacrifices the calcium in the bones to help calcify the eggs and to support growth.

To prevent this occurring, you will need to ensure your terrapin’s house is warm to help the digestion process of food. A good quality UV bulb at the correct distance to maximize calcium absorption is required for optimal health.

A good balanced diet with calcium and vitamin supplements is essential to make sure the muscles work correctly.

If your terrapin has a low calcium condition he or she will need to go to the veterinarian for calcium treatment. This may mean your terrapin will have to stay in hospital whilst his calcium levels are stabilized.