MBD - Metabolic Bone Disease Info

[ToxicSiren]

I thought id write a thread on MBD seen as though its becoming more of an issue within reptiles.

What is MBD?

First of all MBD stands for Metabolic Bone Disease. It is a very common and well recognized syndrome found in reptiles as well as other animals and people. Other names MBD can go by are fibrous osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, and rickets.But these are more genetic terms and most people will only see MBD from lack of calcium in diets. Many people believe MBD is caused by a calcium deficiency but it has more under laying causes and is more complex.

What causes MBD?

The primary cause for MBD is a lack of calcium in the reptiles diet. Although reptiles can also be born with MBD if the mother has not received enough calcium whilst being gravid.
Other causes include

• Too littler calcium and too much phosphorus, ratio should be 2:1 and lack of d3 and other nutrients can prevent the absorbtion of calcium
  . D3 can come in forms of UVA/UVB light or in powders such as nutrobal

• Inadequate protein

• Cool temperatures as they impair digestion and therefore calcium absorption.

MBD is a result from improper calcium to phrosphrus levels. When the calcium levels are pretty low the body has to try take calcium from somewhere else to compensate for example the bones. This makes them softer making them easier to break and fracture. Calcium also impacts a number of other physiological systems including muscle contraction and blood clotting. The ratio 2:1 ( calcium:phrosphrus) is ideal for controling this. Although calcium metabolism is not that simple, as vitamin D (D3) also plays a vital role. Because reptiles dont absorb vitamin D that well they need ultraviolet light exposure to manufacture their own vitamin D.
A nice simple way to look at this is UVB exposure = D3 production = successful calcium uptake



Signs and symptoms.

Symptoms can be different as it depends on how long the reptile has had the disease etc. But typical symptoms to look out for are:

• Bowed or bent/twisted legs/limbs

• Receded lower jaw line

• Softening and swelling of the jaw which almost looks like rubber

• In severe cases arching in the back and tail

• Lethargy

• Going off food due to not being able to eat because of rubber jaw or cannot hunt

• Muscle twitches and in worse cases seizures due to lack of calcium in diet. As calcium not only affects bones but causes impaired nerve function, major organ damage and even damage at a cellular level

• Constipation and/or prolapse

• Fractures of the bones due to bone weakness

• Muscle weakness and partial paralysis

Treatment.

Depending on how advance the disease treatment can be costly, and if the disease has been caught in time. All cases should be seen by a proper herp vet as x-rays and blood tests will need to be carried out to check for bone density and calcium levels. Once MBD has been confirmed treatment can begin. First of all though MBD cannot be cured but can be halted.The damage already done to organs and bones cannot be undone, but MBD as an active progressing disease can be cured/stopped.
For mild cases MBD is treated with a change in diet e.g. more calcium added and make sure proper husbandry is of the reptile is carried out. For more severe cases the reptile normally need more treatments like calcium injections and vitamin supplementation, and possibly therapeutic use of a higher than normal level of UVB to aid recovery and utilisation of supplimentary calcium which will probably be carried out by your herp vet. They may also need help with eating again if they have stopped eating. This again is best carried out under supervise of your herp vet, so you can give the best help to your reptile.

Prevention:

The best way to prevent MBD is by proper husbandry. Make sure you research any reptile/pet you buy first and problems like this may be avoided in the future.
Best prevention tips are as followed:

• A varied balanced diet with a high calcium:phosphorus ratio

• Provide UVA and UVB for your reptiles

Thanks for reading this, I hope it helps. xxx Feel free to add more info and your experiences and pics! xxx

[jools]

Good thread. Nice and simple. Thanx

[ToxicSiren]

Originally Posted by jools

Good thread. Nice and simple. Thanx

Your welcome hun, just to try let people know about it simply. x

[ToxicSiren]

Sticky anyone??? Lol

[ToxicSiren]

[Adam W]

I say this should be a sticky as its very informative and usefull

[ToxicSiren]

Originally Posted by Adam W

I say this should be a sticky as its very informative and usefull

Thank you! x

[elljhitch]

Definately should be a sticky. Very very informative!

[ToxicSiren]

Doubt it will get made one......id like it to tho???? Hmmm how do we do it lol. x

[suez]

good post another point to make is not mbd can be halted though.depending on the severity of the mbd.
example.

gecko rescued looking not great but no to bad condition from premises where husbandry was minimum to bad
vet appointment booked as usual gecko placed in quarantine and given correct enviroment and supplements.
VERY quickly the gecko showed signs of deterioration and vet appointment brought forward as emergency.
within three weeks the back legs looked like they could swivel and the spine had curved.
x ray showed multiple fractures all over the body of the gecko.the fact the deterioration happened so quickly was because proper husbandry was in place and actually speeded up the problems that had been kept at bay with sub optimal conditions.
the gecko was put to sleep so no more suffering