Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a common and easy to recognize disease of captive reptiles.
The primary problem is a disruption of calcium metabolism which causes a number of related problems.
It is almost always a result of poor husbandry and is, in many cases, preventable by providing a proper diet and environment.
This is not always the easy or inexpensive way to go, but is essential to the health of captive reptiles.
Metabolic Bone Disease is a rather complex disease, but, broken down to its simplest form, it results from an improper calcium to phosphorus ratio in the body.
The normal ratio is 2:1 (calcium: phosphorus).
When the calcium level drops the animal's body tries to compensate by taking calcium from wherever it can, for example the bones.
This leads to bone softening and a gathering of fiber like tissue as the body tries to strengthen the bone without available calcium resulting in severe deformities of the spine, broken legs, and soft jaws.
Vitamin D (especially D3) is also important to calcium metabolism, and because some reptiles do not absorb vitamin D well they need ultraviolet light exposure to manufacture their own vitamin D.
Normally this is accomplished with natural sunlight.
Reptiles in captivity seldom have access to sunlight so special bulbs giving off UVA and UVB light may be used as a substitute.
The basic factors that can affect the calcium: phosphorus ratio include: 1.
Improper calcium to phosphorus ratio in the diet 2.
Presence of substances in the diet that impair the absorption of calcium (e.
g.
oxalates) Foods such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage in large servings have this affect.
3.
Lack of exposure to UVA and UVB light prohibiting the animal from making its own vitamin D 4.
Inadequate protein 5.
Cool temperatures impair digestion and therefore calcium absorption in the body The signs and symptoms of this malady vary depending on the length of time over which the condition has developed.
Because of the importance of calcium in bone formation and muscle function, most of the signs and symptoms are related to bone and muscle issues including: 1.
Swollen or bowed legs or bumps on the long bones of the legs 2.
Arched spine or bumps along bones of spine 3.
Softening of the shell in turtles 4.
Tremors or twitching in the muscles of the legs and toes 5.
Broken bones due to bone weakness 6.
Weakness and even partial paralysis resulting in the inability for the animal to lift his legs or body off of the ground MBD is easy enough to diagnosis based on the symptoms in a physical exam.
X-rays may be used to confirm the diagnosis and monitor treatment.
Treatment always depends on the progress of the disease.
For milder cases a switch to a balanced diet and proper husbandry may be enough, but advanced cases require intensive calcium and vitamin supplementation under a veterinarian's care.
The best way to avoid this scourge is prevention.
If you provide your pet with a diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy and other nutrients, a good UVA/UVB light source, proper heat gradients, proper light/dark cycles (day and night) and adequate space to exercise Metabolic Bone Disease should seldom invade your reptile collection.
The primary problem is a disruption of calcium metabolism which causes a number of related problems.
It is almost always a result of poor husbandry and is, in many cases, preventable by providing a proper diet and environment.
This is not always the easy or inexpensive way to go, but is essential to the health of captive reptiles.
Metabolic Bone Disease is a rather complex disease, but, broken down to its simplest form, it results from an improper calcium to phosphorus ratio in the body.
The normal ratio is 2:1 (calcium: phosphorus).
When the calcium level drops the animal's body tries to compensate by taking calcium from wherever it can, for example the bones.
This leads to bone softening and a gathering of fiber like tissue as the body tries to strengthen the bone without available calcium resulting in severe deformities of the spine, broken legs, and soft jaws.
Vitamin D (especially D3) is also important to calcium metabolism, and because some reptiles do not absorb vitamin D well they need ultraviolet light exposure to manufacture their own vitamin D.
Normally this is accomplished with natural sunlight.
Reptiles in captivity seldom have access to sunlight so special bulbs giving off UVA and UVB light may be used as a substitute.
The basic factors that can affect the calcium: phosphorus ratio include: 1.
Improper calcium to phosphorus ratio in the diet 2.
Presence of substances in the diet that impair the absorption of calcium (e.
g.
oxalates) Foods such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage in large servings have this affect.
3.
Lack of exposure to UVA and UVB light prohibiting the animal from making its own vitamin D 4.
Inadequate protein 5.
Cool temperatures impair digestion and therefore calcium absorption in the body The signs and symptoms of this malady vary depending on the length of time over which the condition has developed.
Because of the importance of calcium in bone formation and muscle function, most of the signs and symptoms are related to bone and muscle issues including: 1.
Swollen or bowed legs or bumps on the long bones of the legs 2.
Arched spine or bumps along bones of spine 3.
Softening of the shell in turtles 4.
Tremors or twitching in the muscles of the legs and toes 5.
Broken bones due to bone weakness 6.
Weakness and even partial paralysis resulting in the inability for the animal to lift his legs or body off of the ground MBD is easy enough to diagnosis based on the symptoms in a physical exam.
X-rays may be used to confirm the diagnosis and monitor treatment.
Treatment always depends on the progress of the disease.
For milder cases a switch to a balanced diet and proper husbandry may be enough, but advanced cases require intensive calcium and vitamin supplementation under a veterinarian's care.
The best way to avoid this scourge is prevention.
If you provide your pet with a diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy and other nutrients, a good UVA/UVB light source, proper heat gradients, proper light/dark cycles (day and night) and adequate space to exercise Metabolic Bone Disease should seldom invade your reptile collection.
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