Who would have thought that a tiny, innocent-looking eggplant could be so dangerous for a bearded dragon? Eggplants contain high amounts of solanine. This chemical is harmful to most animals because it inhibits the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body.
In other words, too much solanine prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen throughout your bearded dragon’s body.
As a result, consuming too much eggplant can result in a disease called red blood cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) deficiency. This is because the excess amount of solanine interferes with the ability of SOD enzymes to protect against oxidative stress and correct any imbalances caused by it.
This article discusses everything you need to know about can bearded dragons eat eggplant safely, along with plenty of other foods too!
What is the Solanine Content of Eggplant?
All parts of the eggplant plant are toxic, with its skin containing the highest amount of solanine. The more green the skin of the eggplant is, the more solanine it contains. The leaves of the eggplant plant also contain high amounts of solanine.
If your bearded dragon consumes either the leaves or the skin of the eggplant, it can become seriously ill and even die. The amount of solanine in eggplant can vary greatly, with the amount being dependent on many factors.
These include how mature the eggplant is, the conditions under which it was grown, and how it was stored afterward.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Eggplant in Small Quantities?
Although eggplant is clearly dangerous for bearded dragons, small amounts can be eaten with no ill effects. Bearded dragons should not eat more than one fourth of an eggplant, or about 6.25 grams. This should be the maximum amount consumed each week. If your bearded dragon ingests slightly more than this amount, there may be no immediate effects. However, you should seek medical attention from a veterinarian just in case.
If your bearded dragon ingests more than this small amount, or if it ingests a large amount of eggplant regularly, it can develop red blood cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) deficiency. This can result in a drop of the body’s ability to fight off infection, as well as an increased risk of bone marrow degeneration.
If your bearded dragon ingests a very large amount of eggplant, it can develop an extremely serious condition called hyperforin-induced liver toxicity. This is a serious condition that should be treated by a veterinarian immediately. Bearded dragons should not eat more than one fourth of an eggplant per week.
What Are the Signs of Red Blood Cell SOD Deficiency?
If your bearded dragon ingests too many eggplants, it can develop red blood cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) deficiency. This occurs when the excess amount of solanine from the eggplant inhibits the normal functioning of the SOD enzymes. This can result in a reduction in the amount of SOD in the blood.
This can cause the blood to be much less capable of fighting off infection and may also lead to bone marrow degeneration. Fluid-filled cysts can develop in the lungs as a result of these problems. These cysts can cause trouble breathing and may require surgery.
Your bearded dragon may also have reduced muscle strength and a low blood pressure. It may also experience lethargy and have reduced appetite.
Conclusion
The eggplant is a dangerous food for bearded dragons. It contains high amounts of solanine, which can cause a disease called red blood cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) deficiency. SOD deficiency can result in a drop of the body’s ability to fight off infection, as well as an increased risk of bone marrow degeneration. If your bearded dragon ingests too many eggplants, it can develop SOD deficiency.
This can result in the blood being much less capable of fighting off infection and may also lead to bone marrow degeneration. It may also result in cysts forming in the lungs.
If your bearded dragon ingests a small amount of eggplant, there are no health risks. However, it should not be eaten regularly due to the high amount of solanine it contains.
My name is Brad and I am the main editor of BeardieZilla.com.
The only goal of this site is quite simply to be able to help you. To help you by the means of my experiment, of the relation which I maintain with my bearded dragon as well as some of my knowledge about beardies.
I hope that you will find answers to some of your most pressing questions here.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the blog!
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