In clinical terms, metabolic bone diseases may result in bone pain and loss of height (due to compression of vertebrae), and they predispose patients to fractures.
Does metabolic bone disease hurt bearded dragons?
As the disease progresses, your lizard’s body will start to metabolize tissue as it tries to repair the damage to bone structure. Dragons with MBD often end up with paralysis, and they may become very deformed and/or weak. Unfortunately, MBD can be fatal.
Can metabolic bone disease be cured?
Treatment and Prognosis
Fortunately, if detected early enough, MBD can often be corrected and reversed through making changes and improvements to the husbandry of the animal by providing the needed or adequate levels of UV-A and UV-B lighting and heating, proper supplementation, and other nutrients.
What are symptoms of metabolic bone disease?
Common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism can include:
- Increased thirst and urination.
- Kidney stones.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Osteoporosis.
How long does it take to reverse MBD?
Some people may go as short as four months, so we say every four to six months,” says Sadar. “We typically tell people that it [UVB] doesn’t penetrate glass and plastic so don’t put those between the light and the reptile.”
What do you feed a bearded dragon with metabolic bone disease?
Metabolic bone disease usually requires immediate oral calcium supplementation, rehydration with fluids, nutritional support, treatment with injectable vitamin D3, and injections of calcitonin (a drug which helps re-deposit calcium back into bearded dragons’ bones).
Why is my bearded dragon breathing heavy?
A bearded dragon may be breathing heavily for typical reasons such as eating, stress, and temperature regulation. Still, it is also a sign of something more severe, like a respiratory infection.
What is an example of a metabolic bone disease?
The common metabolic bone diseases (MBD) include osteoporosis, rickets/ osteomalacia, flurosis and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), while the rare MBDs include Paget’s disease, tumor induced osteomalacia, fibrous dysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta and so on.
What doctor treats metabolic bone disease?
A metabolic bone specialist is typically an Endocrinologist or a Rheumatologist who has expertise taking care of patients with osteoporosis and other mineral and skeletal diseases. They can offer additional input regarding diagnosis and treatment when needed.
How do you test for metabolic bone disease?
The diagnosis of MBD is usually made based upon a careful history, physical examination, radiographic (X-rays) examinations, appropriate lab tests, and bone biopsy if indicated.
What does a metabolic bone specialist do?
Metabolic Bone Disorder
Our practice of professionals regularly treats osteopenia, osteoporosis, and Paget’s disease of the bone, all of which can be the result of metabolic disturbances.
Is fibrous dysplasia fatal?
Although fibrous dysplasia is a genetic disorder, it’s caused by a gene mutation that’s not passed from parent to child. There’s no cure for the disorder. Treatment, which may include surgery, focuses on relieving pain and repairing or stabilizing bones.
How do you treat bone disease?
Osteoporosis drugs (bisphosphonates) are the most common treatment for Paget’s disease of bone. Bisphosphonates are typically given by injection into a vein, but they can also be taken by mouth. When taken orally, bisphosphonates are generally well tolerated but can irritate the stomach.
What is metabolic bone disease in exotics?
Metabolic bone disease (MBD), often seen in herbivorous lizards and chelonians, is associated with a dietary deficiency of Ca, a negative calcium–phosphorus ratio in the diet, or a lack of exposure to ultraviolet UVB radiation (Boyer, 1996a; Barten, 1993). Metabolic bone disease is commonly seen in juvenile reptiles.
What animals are affected by metabolic bone disease?
It is primarily reptiles that have metabolic bone disease when they come to see a veterinarian. The most common species that we see that have metabolic bone disease are bearded dragons and leopard geckos, but any reptile can have the problem.
What is reptile MBD?
MBD is the result of a calcium/phosphorous imbalance in the body which causes a weakening of the skeletal structure as well as the carapace and plastron of turtles and tortoises. In more advance cases this can lead to repeated tremors, severe weakness, and bone fractures.