Post by ChamZilla on Nov 13, 2007 0:44:54 GMT -5
MBD or Metabolic Bone Disease is a very crippling bone condition that can affect almost all reptiles. It is painful, disfiguring and could even cause death. If you suspect your iguana or other reptile may have MBD please contact a qualified reptile vet to seek help and treatment. We can prevent our animals ever getting this disease by having proper nutrition and UV lighting. The PREVENTION is always easier than the treatment.
Here is what can happen to your reptiles if they are not cared for properly and if you don't notice signs of MBD.....
Dragon is a 15 year old Green Iguana with Advanced stages of MBD. Dragon's spine is permenintly compressed into this accordion type compression. Which in her older state of life has received operations to relieve the pressure and tumors growing on her spine so she can do a simple function like use the washroom. After her operation last year she is able to use the washroom on her own but it was a costly operation of around $1500 American Dollars. (Dragon was owned by Marie Poyner of this site, but is now cared for by Patrick & Denise)
This next girl is RockZilla. RockZilla is of a guesstimated age of 6 and almost died from her advanced stages of MBD. She has hardening of the joints also and cannot support any weight on her hips. She cannot relive herself at any point on her own, Pressure and massage have to be applied to her abdomine to get her to go. She is also paralyzed from her waist back and has curvature of the spine and tail. She also has large bumps on her bones from breaks, expecialy on her spine. She gets around only by using her front legs. Even though these animals are AMAZING at overcoming ailments and obstacles in there lives it is devastating to the creature having things like this happen to them. (RockZilla is owned by me)
Here is a very useful website page from Melissa Kaplan on MBD. Please read this......
www.anapsid.org/mbd.html
www.anapsid.org/mbd2.html
More useful information
"In it's simplest terms, MBD results from an improper calcium to phophorus ratio in the body. Normally this ratio should be around 2:1 calcium:phosphorus (in the range of 1:1 to 2:1). When the calcium level is relatively low the body tries to compensate by taking calcium from wherever it can, for example the bones. This leads to a softening of the bones, making them susceptible to fractures and also leading to a deposition of fibrous tissue as the body tries to strengthen the bone in an absence of available calcium. Calcium also impacts a number of other physiological systems including muscle contraction (including the heart) and blood clotting. The 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus that is ideal in the diet, but calcium metabolism is not that simple. Vitamin D (especially D3) is also vital to calcium metabolism, and because some reptiles do not absorb vitamin D that well (much like humans) they need ultraviolet light exposure to manufacture their own vitamin D.
A full discussion of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D metabolism is beyond the scope of this article, but the basic factors that can skew the calcium:phosphorus ratio include:
* too little calcium or too much phosphorus (i.e. improper ratio) in the diet
* presence of substances in the diet that impair the absorption of calcium (e.g. oxalates)
* a deficiency of vitamin D
* lack of exposure to UVA and UVB (necessary for the reptile to produce it's own vitamin D)
* inadequate protein
* kidney or liver disease (which impair conversion of vitamin D to it's active from), small intestinal disease (disrupts absorption), and disease of the thyroid or parathyroid glands (produce hormones which affect calcium metabolism). These are minor contributors - most cases are nutritionally based.
* cool temperatures impair digestion and therefore calcium absorption
Signs and Symptoms:
Vary depending on the severity and length of time over which the condition has developed. Due to the importance of calcium in bone formation and muscle function, most of the signs and symptoms are related to bone and muscle effects. These include:
* bowed, or swollen legs, or bumps on the long bones of the legs
* arched spine or bumps along bones of spine
* softening and swelling of the jaw (bilateral) - sometimes called "rubber jaw"
* receded lower jaw
* in turtles, softening of the carapace or plastron (the shell)
* tremors
* jerky movements-twitching in the muscles of the legs and toes
* lameness
* anorexia
* constipation
* fractures of the bones due to bone weakness
* lethargy
* weakness and even partial paralysis (sometimes unable to lift body off ground)
The disease is distinctive enough that diagnosis is usually made based on the symptoms, physical exam, and discussion of husbandry. Radiographs (X-rays) may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and monitor treatment. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. For very mild cases a switch to a balanced diet and proper husbandry may be enough, but many cases require intensive calcium and vitamin supplementation under a veterinarian's care.
Prevention
Proper husbandry is more than just the right diet. The following are important in both prevention and treatment:
* diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy and other nutrients
* exposure to UVA/UVB for diurnal reptiles - need (fluorescent tubes, Mecury Vapour) bulbs that are rated to provide UVA and UVB
* proper heat gradients (day and night) (90 - 95F in basking area and 80 - 85 for cooler side of enclosure)
* proper light/dark cycles (12 hours of Light and 12 hours of dark)
* adequate enclosure/room to exercise "
These exerts were taken from exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/a/metabolicbd.htm
Here is what can happen to your reptiles if they are not cared for properly and if you don't notice signs of MBD.....
Dragon is a 15 year old Green Iguana with Advanced stages of MBD. Dragon's spine is permenintly compressed into this accordion type compression. Which in her older state of life has received operations to relieve the pressure and tumors growing on her spine so she can do a simple function like use the washroom. After her operation last year she is able to use the washroom on her own but it was a costly operation of around $1500 American Dollars. (Dragon was owned by Marie Poyner of this site, but is now cared for by Patrick & Denise)
This next girl is RockZilla. RockZilla is of a guesstimated age of 6 and almost died from her advanced stages of MBD. She has hardening of the joints also and cannot support any weight on her hips. She cannot relive herself at any point on her own, Pressure and massage have to be applied to her abdomine to get her to go. She is also paralyzed from her waist back and has curvature of the spine and tail. She also has large bumps on her bones from breaks, expecialy on her spine. She gets around only by using her front legs. Even though these animals are AMAZING at overcoming ailments and obstacles in there lives it is devastating to the creature having things like this happen to them. (RockZilla is owned by me)
Here is a very useful website page from Melissa Kaplan on MBD. Please read this......
www.anapsid.org/mbd.html
www.anapsid.org/mbd2.html
More useful information
"In it's simplest terms, MBD results from an improper calcium to phophorus ratio in the body. Normally this ratio should be around 2:1 calcium:phosphorus (in the range of 1:1 to 2:1). When the calcium level is relatively low the body tries to compensate by taking calcium from wherever it can, for example the bones. This leads to a softening of the bones, making them susceptible to fractures and also leading to a deposition of fibrous tissue as the body tries to strengthen the bone in an absence of available calcium. Calcium also impacts a number of other physiological systems including muscle contraction (including the heart) and blood clotting. The 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus that is ideal in the diet, but calcium metabolism is not that simple. Vitamin D (especially D3) is also vital to calcium metabolism, and because some reptiles do not absorb vitamin D that well (much like humans) they need ultraviolet light exposure to manufacture their own vitamin D.
A full discussion of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D metabolism is beyond the scope of this article, but the basic factors that can skew the calcium:phosphorus ratio include:
* too little calcium or too much phosphorus (i.e. improper ratio) in the diet
* presence of substances in the diet that impair the absorption of calcium (e.g. oxalates)
* a deficiency of vitamin D
* lack of exposure to UVA and UVB (necessary for the reptile to produce it's own vitamin D)
* inadequate protein
* kidney or liver disease (which impair conversion of vitamin D to it's active from), small intestinal disease (disrupts absorption), and disease of the thyroid or parathyroid glands (produce hormones which affect calcium metabolism). These are minor contributors - most cases are nutritionally based.
* cool temperatures impair digestion and therefore calcium absorption
Signs and Symptoms:
Vary depending on the severity and length of time over which the condition has developed. Due to the importance of calcium in bone formation and muscle function, most of the signs and symptoms are related to bone and muscle effects. These include:
* bowed, or swollen legs, or bumps on the long bones of the legs
* arched spine or bumps along bones of spine
* softening and swelling of the jaw (bilateral) - sometimes called "rubber jaw"
* receded lower jaw
* in turtles, softening of the carapace or plastron (the shell)
* tremors
* jerky movements-twitching in the muscles of the legs and toes
* lameness
* anorexia
* constipation
* fractures of the bones due to bone weakness
* lethargy
* weakness and even partial paralysis (sometimes unable to lift body off ground)
The disease is distinctive enough that diagnosis is usually made based on the symptoms, physical exam, and discussion of husbandry. Radiographs (X-rays) may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and monitor treatment. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. For very mild cases a switch to a balanced diet and proper husbandry may be enough, but many cases require intensive calcium and vitamin supplementation under a veterinarian's care.
Prevention
Proper husbandry is more than just the right diet. The following are important in both prevention and treatment:
* diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy and other nutrients
* exposure to UVA/UVB for diurnal reptiles - need (fluorescent tubes, Mecury Vapour) bulbs that are rated to provide UVA and UVB
* proper heat gradients (day and night) (90 - 95F in basking area and 80 - 85 for cooler side of enclosure)
* proper light/dark cycles (12 hours of Light and 12 hours of dark)
* adequate enclosure/room to exercise "
These exerts were taken from exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/a/metabolicbd.htm
