Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a common and easy to recognize disorder of pet reptiles. It is a complex disease, but, broken down to its simplest form, it results from an improper calcium to phosphorus ratio in the body. It is almost always a result of poor husbandry and is, in many cases, preventable by providing the proper diet and environment for your pet. This is not always the easy or inexpensive way to go, but is essential to the health of captive reptiles.
The normal calcium to phosphorus ratio is 2:1 (calcium: phosphorus). When the calcium level drops the animal’s body tries to correct it by taking calcium from wherever it can, for example the bones. This leads to bone softening and a gathering of fiber like tissue as the body tries to strengthen the bone without available calcium resulting in severe deformities of the spine, broken legs, and soft jaws. Vitamin D (especially D3) is also important to calcium metabolism, and because some reptiles do not absorb vitamin D well they need ultraviolet light exposure to manufacture their own vitamin D. Normally this is accomplished with natural sunlight. Reptiles in captivity seldom have access to natural sunlight so special bulbs giving off UVA and UVB light must be used as a substitute.
The signs and symptoms of MBD vary with the length of time over which the condition has developed. Because of the importance of calcium in bone formation and muscle function, most of the signs and symptoms are related to bone and muscle issues including:
1. Swollen or bowed legs or bumps on the long bones of the legs
2. Arched spine or bumps along bones of spine
3. Softening of the shell in turtles
4. Tremors or twitching in the muscles of the legs and toes
5. Broken bones due to bone weakness
6. Weakness and even partial paralysis resulting in the inability for
the animal to lift his legs or body off of the ground
Diagnosis is easy enough based on the symptoms in a physical exam. X-rays may be utilized to confirm the diagnosis and monitor treatment. Treatment always depends on the progress of the disease. For milder cases a switch to a balanced diet and proper husbandry may be enough, but advanced cases require intensive calcium and vitamin supplementation under a veterinarian’s care.
The most efficient way to avoid this malady is prevention. By providing your pet with a diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy and other nutrients, a good UVA/UVB light source, proper heat gradients, proper light/dark cycles (day and night) and adequate space to exercise Metabolic Bone Disease should not invade your reptile collection.
We do carry a number of products to help you offset the scourge of MBD. We now know that most diurnal (daytime active) reptiles require UVB light. Since the release of Zoo Med’s ReptiSun UVB lamps, dozens of scientific studies have confirmed their beneficial effect on reptiles. This series includes:
1. ReptiSun 5.0 and 10.0 Linear Fluorescent Bulbs - fits into standard fluorescent fixtures, is offered in two different models (5.0 and 10.0). The model used depends on the distance of the lamp to the reptile and the amount of UVB required. These lamps come in a variety of lengths depending on the size of the cage. Independent scientific studies have shown that these lamps are effective for a minimum of 12 months. These lights do not provide heat.
2. ReptiSun 5.0 and 10.0 Compact Fluorescent - These lamps offer the convenience of providing UVB using a standard screw-base type fixture. They are self-ballasted and do not require a separate
ballast. These also provide UVB, UVA, and visible light. They do not provide heat.
3. PowerSun UV Mercury Vapor - provide UVB, UVA, visible light and heat. This is the only lamp that provides heat in addition to UV. These lamps screw into a clamp lamp fixture with a ceramic/porcelain socket and do not require a separate ballast.
Zoo Med also produces calcium and vitamin supplements with the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorous. Their Repti Calcium and Reptivite lines provides this proper ratio and is available with or without vitamin D3 depending on the species involved and whether or not they are exposed to proper sunlight of UVB light. The various reptile diets produced by Zoo Med also contain the proper proportions of calcium to phosphorous and protein levels to assist in preventing Metabolic Bone Disease. Heat for proper metabolism may be provided by heat rocks, under tank heaters or by heat producing bulbs.
Utilizing these products you should be able to escape the ravages of MBD.
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