How do you fix turtle metabolic bone disease?
Treatment of MBD depends on the severity of the disease. For very mild cases, a switch to a balanced diet and proper husbandry may be enough. Severe cases require intensive calcium and vitamin supplementation as well as an increase in high-intensity UVB rays under an exotics veterinarian’s care.
Is metabolic bone disease painful for bearded dragons?
When a bearded dragon has metabolic bone disease, his bones become very frail and easily broken or fractured. Additionally, it’s very difficult and painful for him to get around, even in earlier stages of the disease.
How do you fix metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons?
How are diseases in bearded dragons treated? Metabolic bone disease usually requires immediate oral calcium supplementation, rehydration with fluids, nutritional support, treatment with injectable vitamin D3, and injections of calcitonin (a drug which helps re-deposit calcium back into bearded dragons’ bones).
How to tell if a bearded dragon has metabolic bone disease?
The radiograph above depicts both a healthy bearded dragon (top) and a bearded dragon with Metabolic Bone Disease (bottom). Dragons that have a severe case of MBD will very clearly look deformed. Often times, limbs will appear frail and limp, being drug along as the dragon walks, unable to support the weight.
Why does a bearded dragon not have enough calcium?
It stems from a lack of calcium intake in the reptile’s diet. Bearded dragons need calcium to build strong bones, and without enough of it the skeletal system becomes very brittle. Metabolic Bone Disease can lead to deformed and brittle bones.
What are the causes of death for bearded dragons?
Let’s discuss some of the most common causes of death for bearded dragons. Metabolic Bone Disease is very common among captive-raised bearded dragons. It stems from a lack of calcium intake in the reptile’s diet. Bearded dragons need calcium to build strong bones, and without enough of it the skeletal system becomes very brittle.
Can you tell if a bearded dragon is getting ready to brumate?
If you can discern that your temperatures are spot-on, then it could simply be that your bearded dragon’s lethargy could actually be a sign that he or she is getting ready to brumate. Fortunately, if you believe your bearded dragon is getting ready to brumate, there are things you can do to make brumation successful for them.
The radiograph above depicts both a healthy bearded dragon (top) and a bearded dragon with Metabolic Bone Disease (bottom). Dragons that have a severe case of MBD will very clearly look deformed. Often times, limbs will appear frail and limp, being drug along as the dragon walks, unable to support the weight.
What causes a bearded dragon to have MBD?
MBD is caused by a range of nutrient issues. The nutrient in question is almost always calcium, but vitamin D and phosphorous can also be culprits. Too little (hypocalcemia) or too much (hypercalcemia) calcium can cause problems with both the growth and the strength of a bearded dragon’s bones.
What happens if a bearded dragon is left untreated?
Due to the bone, muscle, and tissue damage caused by metabolic bone disease, the affected bearded dragon becomes weak and deformed. Left untreated, MBD can end in death. It’s important to know the signs of metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons so you can alert your vet immediately if you detect any of them.
Is there too much calcium in bearded dragons?
In an effort to provide enough calcium for optimal health, some bearded dragon owners go overboard. They give their beardies far too much calcium in the form of high calcium foods along with overdoses of calcium supplements. Most of the calcium we give our beardies as supplements are not very bioavailable.
