Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is an increasingly recognized and prevalent problem among pet reptiles. MBD results from an imbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio in their bodies, leading to softened or damaged bones and other symptoms that impact bone growth and development. Other terms for MBD may include fibrous osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis or even rickets.
What Is Metabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles? mes Metabolic bone disease (MBD) in reptiles is a complex illness. At its core lies disruption of calcium metabolism which results in numerous health issues; most signs and symptoms involve bone and muscle formation/function development, though there may not be an identifiable single cause; rather the disease cannot simply be reduced to calcium deficiency alone.
Symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles
The signs and symptoms of metabolic bone disease vary depending on its severity and length of time since its onset, so to best detect metabolic bone disease symptoms a veterinarian with expertise in reptiles and amphibians will be necessary. Common examples include:
Leg Abnormalities
A reptile suffering from MBD may develop abnormal legs which appear bowed or swollen, with bumps appearing along its long bones to strengthen skeletal structure with fibrous tissue in an attempt to make up for calcium deficiencies in bones.
Spinal Aberrations A reptile showing symptoms of spinal aberration will have an arched spine or develop bumps along its bones; other parts of its skeletal structure that require reinforcement might also develop fibrous tissue overgrowth in this case.
Distortions to Jaw Distortions
Bones in the jaw can become depleted of calcium, leading to its malfunction. A reptile’s jaw will soften, swelling may occur (hence “rubber jaw”) and their lower jaw may recede as a response.
Shell Softening
MBD can lead to softening of turtle carapaces or plastron (shells).
Uncontrolled Movements
Reptiles suffering from MBD often display uncontrollable muscle tremors, jerky movements or twitching in their legs and toes, often with accompanying muscle twitches or spasms.
Anorexia Reptiles affected with this illness will no longer be able to eat or drink due to damage done to their jaw and tongue, rendering them incapable of eating or drinking normally.
MBD causes reptiles to experience either constipation or complete obstruction (not defecating at all).
MBD (Multiple Bone Fractures) can cause bones to break due to muscle weakness and a deficiency of calcium in the bone matrix.
Reluctance to Move
MBD can lead to weakness, lameness and partial paralysis in reptiles. Their legs may feel weak or lethargic and they may struggle to lift themselves off the ground due to reduced calcium stores in their bones. This condition may even result in reptile deaths.
Causes of Metabolic Bone Disease
An ideal ratio in reptile body of calcium-phosphorus ratio should be approximately two parts calcium to one part phosphorus (2:1). When calcium levels drop too low, their body seeks a way to compensate by taking calcium from other places in their system – such as bone tissue. When this happens, softening occurs which makes fractures more likely as well as deposition of fibrous tissue to reinforce weak bones in its absence. Calcium also has other significant physiological functions including muscle contraction and blood clotting systems impacted.
Your reptile should consume an ideal 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus in its diet, yet calcium metabolism is far from straightforward. Vitamin D3 plays a key role in this regard and some reptiles require ultraviolet light exposure in order to produce its own supply, further complicating matters.