MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease)

[wildheart]

I thought that I will post some info on this subject because it is such a serious problem with all reptiles.

In general, metabolic bone disease (MBD) is the weakening of the bone of your reptile caused by an imbalance in vitamin D3, calcium, and
phosphorus. Several foods, which have a high calcium content, such as spinach, carrots, collards, chards and other thick leafy greens, also contain oxalates, which bind to calcium. When foods high in oxalates are eaten by a reptile, the oxalates attack the calcium and make it useless in their body.

Food that are high in oxalates and that should be avoided are: Spinach, beets, beet greens, swiss chard, dock, sorrel, whole grains, celery stalk, kale, carrot tops/ carrots, brocolli, cabbage, bok-choi, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, rutabaga, tofu.

Vitamin D3, calcium, and phosphorus interact together to perform a number of functions besides bone growth and maintenance, including muscle contractions and blood coagulation. Too much phosphorus can throw this balance off, as can too much or too little vitamin D3 or too little access to UVB light. As the dangers of calcium deficiency become more widely known, there is also the risk of too much calcium (hypercalcemia), which is rare.
This happens when you dust the food too much.

Signs of metabolic bone disease include hard knobs in the long bones of the
legs, bumps along the vertebral column of the back and tail, and softening or hard swelling of the lower jaw. Regular physical exams are important as these bumps may be felt before they can usually be seen. Visible signs of moderate to severe metabolic bone disease include jerky movements when walking, repeated tremors, twitches, or spasms in the limbs and muscles of the legs and toes when at rest or after exercise, and shakiness when being held.

More advanced cases of MBD include all the above signs plus constipation, anorexia, and fractured bones. Severely deficient reptiles tend to be lethargic and may only be able to drag themselves along the ground.

There are several treatment options available for reptiles suffering from MBD. Moderate to severe cases of MBD require the proper diet, temperatures, and UVB as well as a more powerful calcium supplement than those found in pet stores. Oral administration of calcium glubionate (NeoCalglucon®, 1cc/kg) or injections of calcium lactate (Calphosan, 250 mg/kg) or calcium gluconate (100 mg/kg) are generally prescribed by veterinarians. Studies have shown a faster recovery with calcitonin (Calcimar, Miacalcin, 50 IU/kg in the front leg, repeated
once a week for two weeks) when it is administered to reptiles who have a
normal serum calcium level. A blood test by your vet will determine your
reptiles serum calcium level. The use of calcitonin before normal levels have
been established, may cause hypocalcemic tetany and death.

In mild cases of metabolic bone disease, where the signs are felt or just barely visible, can be treated by correcting the diet and environment.

The proper amount of UVB light is important and necessary in treating and
preventing MBD. Vets have prescribed the use of mercury vapor UVB/heat
bulbs as part of the treatment for MBD. These bulbs have a UVB element and a heat element, all rolled into one. After a few weeks of installing the new bulbs, you can notice a major color enhancement in your reptile!
Along with proper day and night temperature gradients and a nighttime dark period, proper diet is essential to recovery. During recovery, your reptile should be fed calcium-rich, nutrient dense foods such as squashes, green beans, mustard greens, dandelions, escarole, and papaya. The food should be supplemented with additional calcium and a multi-vitamin formulated for reptiles.

Hope this helped somebody. Please ad anything that I left out.

[ShaneLuvsMonitors]

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/lizar...ease-info.html

been done mate

[wildheart]

Yip, I see that, I actually posted this on the wrong forum! Well, maybe I said something that was not said before? Especially because I see so many members feeding their bearded dragons the wrong greens.

[ShaneLuvsMonitors]

Originally Posted by wildheart

Yip, I see that, I actually posted this on the wrong forum!

Easily done mate although the stuff on oxilates and the list of veg that contains it is deffinetly usefull

[wildheart]

Ya, I will post a list tomorrow of all the greens, veggies and fruit and their nutritional breakdown. It helped me a lot when I had to decide what to plant and what not.

[James D]

Was this all written by yourself?
I would have thought that only a veterinarian would feel comfortable stating doses for treatment and as you said the following:

'Vets have prescribed the use of mercury vapor UVB/heat bulbs as part of the treatment for MBD.

I would assume you aren't a vet...

[wildheart]

[QUOTE=James D;5154525]Was this all written by yourself?
I would have thought that only a veterinarian would feel comfortable stating doses for treatment
QUOTE]

That is a strange question, I did not prescibe anything I just said what the vets here in SA general prescribe for MBD. (Maybe the translation got screwed up?)