What to do if your chinese water dragon has metabolic bone disease?
The best solution for MBD is prevention; usually all it takes is to dust every other meal with calcium powder and to always provide exposure to sunlight and/or UVB light. If you see symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease in your Chinese water dragon, see your veterinarian immediately.
What kind of body does a Chinese water dragon have?
Chinese water dragons have a pretty iconic profile. They have massive tails that take up about 70 percent of the body. The lizards use them for balance and defense! The legs are quite strong, too. The back legs can even support the lizard as it moves on two legs!
What’s the best vitamin D3 for a Chinese water dragon?
To provide vitamin D3, you must have a UVB tube/bulb in the tank, that is positioned close enough to your Chinese water dragon. 6-10% UVB is often the best for your Chinese water dragon, depending on positioning. You can find a list of UVB tubes and distances here.
When to take a Chinese water dragon to the vet?
If you see symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease in your Chinese water dragon, see your veterinarian immediately. When Chinese Water Dragons become stressed it’s easy for parasites to multiply beyond the capability of the dragon’s body to handle. The only way to tell what kind of parasites your dragon has is to see your vet for a fecal exam.
What kind of diet does a Chinese water dragon need?
Chinese water dragons have a tendency to suffer from calcium deficiency while in captivity. Not getting enough calcium may lead to diminished bone density and various metabolic diseases. So, mixing calcium powder with their diet is necessary for ensuring your water dragon’s health.
To provide vitamin D3, you must have a UVB tube/bulb in the tank, that is positioned close enough to your Chinese water dragon. 6-10% UVB is often the best for your Chinese water dragon, depending on positioning. You can find a list of UVB tubes and distances here.
When to take your chinese water dragon to the vet?
You might also notice lethargy, deformed bones (crooked back, open jaw), swollen legs etc. If you suspect MBD, please take your Chinese water dragon to the vet for blood testing, visual examination and treatment. This can be life-threatening and effects can also be irreversible.
What kind of humidity does a Chinese water dragon need?
While Chinese water dragons require high humidity levels in the tank (75-80%), make sure to allow the cage to dry between misting sessions. 55-60% humidity levels between mistings is optimal. You must do everything to avoid soggy conditions – in the wild, Chinese water dragons get a chance to get wet and dry out fully in the sun.
