Metabolic Bone Disease in Pet Reptiles
79Baby Bearded Dragon
What is MBD?
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) a common disease in reptiles. MBD is the collective name given to a number of problems seen in reptiles related to calcium. It is different from calcium deficiency, in which there is a lack of calcium in the body, but MBD is associated with calcium disruption in the body.
What Causes MBD?
Metabolic bone disease can be caused by a number of various sources as well as the combination of various factors.
One cause of MBD is improper levels of calcium in the reptile's diet. Calcium is very important in the building of bones and muscles, as well as the functioning of nerve endings, and when there is not enough calcium in the body problems will arise. Calcium levels, also, affect phosphorus and vitamin D3 regulation within the body, which is why calcium supplements should be given when feeding reptiles.
Improper UV lighting can also cause MBD. Some reptiles need UVB light added to their enclosure. Without the UVB rays, some reptiles such as bearded dragons, iguanas, and mali uromastyx, cannot digest the calcium properly. UVB aids the production of vitamin D3 which is essential in digesting calcium. Most diurnal reptiles, are those that are in need of the extra UV light. Nocturnal reptiles, on the other hand, do not need the UVB rays, but should be given a calcium/D3 supplement at least once a week.
Improper husbandry, is another cause of MBD. Keeping proper enclosure temperatures will help reptiles to digest their foods properly. Being able to properly digest foods is essential in absorbing the nutrients available, including calcium.
Other diseases can increase the chances of a reptile getting MBD. Kidney and liver disease can impair the conversion of vitamin D to an active form. Small intestinal disease disrupts absorption rates. Disease of the thyroid or parathyroid glands can affect calcium absorption since they produce hormones affecting calcium metabolism.
Signs of Metabolic Bone Disease
Symptoms of MBD
Symptoms of MBD vary with age and degree of the disease.
Most often symptoms of MBD occur as thin, easily broken bones. Thin bones contribute to walking problems, and can hinder jumping and climbing, as the bones become weaker. You may also notice that at the joints, your reptile may not hold its feet properly, causing them to bend backwards.
As bones weaken, the body attempts to strengthen them by laying down connective tissues; this often causes swollen legs.
Breaks may cause twisted and crooked backs, toes, and limbs.
Paralysis can be a symptom, as well. Damage along the spinal cord can cause paralysis of the front or back legs.
Soft, spongy jaw bones, causing eating to become difficult and painful, causing a lack of appetite. A receding jaw line, can also be a sign of MBD.
- Stunted growth is another sign of MBD.
- Trembling and weakness in the limbs, due to damage to nerves.
- Lameness
- Tremors and jerky movements in the toes and legs of the reptile.
- Constipation.
Treatment of MBD
Correcting the diet. This can be a hard task to take in, as reptiles can be set in their ways and resist change.
Oral injection of vitamin D and calcium.
Correcting the temperatures in the enclosure.
Adding a UV light to the enclosure to assist with vitamin D3 production (only necessary with diurnal reptiles). If you have a diurnal reptile, and the enclosure already has a UV light, you may want to change the bulb, as the UV tubes must be changed every 6 months. You may want to consider the UV spot lights, which give out more UV than a tube.
If you do not see any change, see a licensed reptile vet. You should not let the disease progress to a severe state because your pet may not make it through.
You can correct Metabolic Bone Disease if you catch the signs and symptoms early on in the disease.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed veterinarian. The methods outlined above may or may not work for your pet. If you have any concerns, you should consult a specialized reptile veterinarian.
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We have a 2 year old beardie and a 2 1/2 month old beardie. The baby is currently shedding and isn't eating at all and hardly moves. I've also noticed that the baby has had little spasms that make me think of seizures when my husband or I moves it or picks it up. Just a few minutes ago I picked the baby up and its head started shaking until I began to pet the top of its head and it opened its eyes and stopped shaking, should I be concerned? I know the not eating is normal for some beardies during shedding but the baby didnt do the other stuff last time it was shedding last month.
I have two, 3 year old bds one male and one female. Recently the timer failed to turn on the lights while I was at work. I noticed the following day that the female had a twich in the top of her tail and back legs, I read up and found about mbd and decided to replace the uv light although just 4 months old, and get an extra tub of live food covered with calcium dust. But today I found she is hardly walking and her back legs are stiff. Am I too late, what can I do, these are my first bds which iv had for 6 months and have been following bd books and advice from my local specialist. Problem is is my local vets are not open til Tuesday. (sunday today) is there anything I can do? Thankyou.
I just got a bearded dragon yesterday he was fine at the store but when I brought her home she started cloesing one eye and shes with a male and I feed them banna and brocoli every day I suplement crikets and mealworms I was just wondering if thers somthing wrong
When I first got my bearded dragon, a few days ago, she was lethargic. Her toes were a bit crooken; but I thought that was normal. Then we noticed her hind legs twitching.
I looked up MBD and things leading up to it; and started to try things to make her better, trying to give her more calcium. I thought she was getting better; she was a bit more lively and I hadn't seen her hind legs twitch, but then her toe bent again. Is the toe bending by itself a problem?
can my bearded dragon sit next to the window and get uvb and if i take him outside to bask alot
I have a 7" baby BD and for the first time today I found her laying on her back. When I picked her up she was still warm and seemed to be walking and acting normal. But later when I went to feed her I noticed her left arm was limp and dragging a bit. I keep her in a 80 gallon tank and on one end I have a 100 watt bulb for basking and the other end I have her 100 watt night time bulb which I turn off during the day. I feed her two to three times a day as many crickets as she wants with calcium power with D3. And I try to feed her apples, carrots, and lettuce as well everyday but she's not a fan and usually won't eat them as much as I'd like her to. I also set her in warm water everyday as well since she doesn't pay much attention to the water bowls I place in her tank. And I mist her in her tank a few times a day. She is very actice. Loves to climb and come out to run around. I'm just wondering if this is the beginning stage of MBD? And if so, what can I do to reverse it and will her limp in her left leg get better so she can continue being active and able to climb without problems?
Please help, thank you.
i just rescued a beardie from a women who had no idea how to care for him. She was feeding him a total of twenty crickets a week and greens daily he was under the wrong lights and only going to the bathroom once every three weeks. I have rescued other beardies but never one this bad. He seems to be paralized in his hind end and barely able to control the front end. He is two years old i took him to the vet they prescribed a critical care diet mixed with bearded dragon calicum plus diet saying it was metobolic bone diease. he seems to be eating it ok when i feed him with a syringe. I also went out and bought the correct lights. In your opinion is there any thing else i could be doing.
I am hatching bearded dragons and one of the babies appear to have a problem with its back. It wasnt a problem that developed it was born with what looks like a hunched back and its sides look collapsed it doesnt seem to want to move much and I am concerned. All of the other babies appear active and normal thus far does anyone have any ideas or suggestions??
If youre temps are accurate, the BD shouldn't brumate. It's actually not recommended to do that unless you are well experienced in the particular species and creating that atmosphere. Problems do arise, as you can see, when brumation isn't done properly.
Just bump the temps, try a wide variety of foods, and if the BD starts losing weight, see a reptile vet.
I have a BD and when i first got him he ate just fine now he won't eat any veggies or greens only meal worms and crickets ; he was brimating i think he still is kind of but he doesnt sleep as much as he did. I don't want him to get sick hes 5 & my first beardie i had him since april of last year. I just want him to eat he just spits it out as soon as i force feed him.
Any suggestions ?
If you do not have the experience to diagnose, you NEED to find a vet. Without proper veterinary experience it is hard for someone with a good deal of experience to properly diagnose and treat. A vet is who you need to see. Do not guess
I adopted a beardie a few days ago from someone that didn't have the least interest in taking care of him properly. I've been treating him for MBD and in that case he appears to be improving nicely, but he has very large, hard and calloused growths all around the base of his tail and most of his hind region. It is uneven, bulbous in some places and not so in others. One of the larger bumps fell off last night a few hours after I had given him a bath. The tissue underneath it was raw and red, and the inside of the bump was concave and very dark, almost burnt looking inside. I called an emergency vet hotline and they said that as long as the wound wasn't bleeding or seeping that he -should- be okay, but I'm concerned that I might not be able to diagnosis it without bringing him to a vet. There aren't any qualified reptile vets around here for hours. Does this sound like anything you've come across in the past?
I would keep an eye on it. It could be that he stepped on something in the tank or hurt himself while shedding.
my beardie has two swollen long toes any ideas?
Mealworms are a fine staple insect. Crickets are just an alternative. If the BD eats mealworms, then that is fine. Also make sure to add plenty of fruits and vegetables to the diet, dusting accordingly. I would suggest the calcium plus D3, as well as real UV rays.
We inherited a BD (maybe 1.5 yrs old) from a friend-BD was always properly taken care of, lights changed as needed, proper fruits/veg/cricket mix. Had been dusting food properly. I noticed after having him a short time he didn't move much-took him to vet, she said he had a clear case of MBD, and gave me a calcium supplement. He has a curvy spine, doesn't use back legs much, but can move them. Hardly ever props up off of belly, just pulls around a little. Anyways, got new light, added calc supp, been trying hard to help him. Now he doesn't eat crickets (ignores them, all sizes and variations) will only eat meal worms and some vegs/fruits. He hardly poops (maybe once a wk). I never heard of the D3 supp til now. Any hope/ suggestions?
The calcium sandican actually intice the BD to eat it, which can cause impaction, especially in a sick animal. You may need to take the BD to a vet qualified in reptiles to have a fecal test performed, and for vitamin shots. Offer more than just carrots, as carrots digest into sugars.
It will take much longer than a week for a really sick animal to get better, and you have a really sick animal on your hands. I really woudl recommend you finding an experienced keeper to help you out, especially if this is your first reptile.
Hello,
I took in a bearded dragon from my friend who didn't take proper care of it. He had no UVB light, Heat lamp or attention he is 7 months old and only a bit bigger than a baby Bearded Dragon!
I now have had him for 1week in a 4ft vivarium, with UVB light, Heat lamp, Calcium sand, plants, hides, thermostat water and food. The temp at the cool end in the day is 30 degrees Celsius. I try to hand feed him as he doesn't eat out of his bowl and he has eaten a little bit of carrot each day and 1 cricket (hand fed) he did it a little bit of carrot on his own.
Problem is, He doesn't hold up his body when he walks, he drags it. Also he doesn't move at all. And he has only 'pooped' once. I have tried bathing him and I give him lots of attention.
What's up with him I thought he would get better?
I would urge you to see a reptile vet to get a proper diagnosis and liquid calcium shots or oral meds. You can make a puree of the foods and use a syringe to try to force feed if he's not eating. Also try using a UV bulb not the tube and/or giving some supervised outside time for natural sunlight.
Hello,
My dragon is showing all the signs of MBD and keeps falling on his back. I am going change his diet and bulbs to see if there is improvement. Where would I get the calcium and vit D oral injections? How do I force feed him? Just pry open his mouth???
Impaction is a huge concern!! Not only could the BD have a concern of malnourishment but of improper housing! Definitely remove the calcium based sand. It is not good for reptiles. Basically, it entices them to eat it, but it does not dissolve in water and takes days to dissolve in stomach acid, which is enough time to start to build up and start causing problems. Remove the sand.
Xxandyr went to the vets this morning and Got blood work xrays and all sorts of tests done. He's Kinda cranky now But was found to been Healthy (His Calcium was normal) except for a small amount of calcuim sand in his colon (He gets Mineral oil for 14 days) and being over-weight( which is causing his waddle). This little guy has a New diet, lighting, and Is housed on Reptile carpet. He has actually Started to eat collared greens and not spit them out when I stick them in his mouth. Thank you for your help with the baby food. He will not be getting anymore. Just veggies/fruit and some dusted crickets!
It's hard to say. I would consider a vet to see if he can prescribe a liquid calcium to add to the diet. The baby food is a huge concern, as it has no nutritional value for reptiles; it's basically nothing but sugary junk for them. You really need to get the bearded dragon eating real fruits and vegetables. Baby food is formulated for human consumption and nutritional needs, not reptiles. It was once thought that it was fine for them to eat, but not any more.
My BD Recently started Trembling, Ie is head and body have this uncontroably trembling. His feet and legs don't twitch unless im touching him. His appetite hasen't changed much. He Prefers his Crickets without Calcium dust, So I add a scoop to veggie/fruit Baby food like the vet said I can do since he wont eat veggies. Is this sill an ok way of feeding him veggies/fruit and Calcium? His tube's changed every 7-9months, and I just got him a Bulb Uv spot light. Could this be a CD problem or MBD?
Symptoms Listed : Shaking of head/body (Feels like a muscle spasem), Doesn't like to move/ climb except when there mealie worms involded. Then he "trips" over his front feet and kinda waddles. He doesn't runabout any more.
Thanks, Xxandyr's Concerned "Parent"
It's hard to diagnose with just that, but it sounds like MBD. It could be caused by the improper diet. He needs to have fruits and veggies daily, more so than cricket or other insects. Without it, he will become very vitamin deficient.
My bearded dragon is showing a few of the symptoms of Calcium defenciency. Things like lameness, limp limbs, loss of diet, inactivity (more of it than usual). It has both essential lights and eats healthy. I give it Rep Cal food and crickets. He hasn't been given fruits and veggies as much anymore though. I have this ReptoCal powder that I put on its food about once a month and it includes Calcium and vitamin D3. He's been like this for only about 4 days now. I even have been spraying him with T-Rex mister that helps it with shedding and such. My dfad recently put it in the bathtub with warm water (low level) to see if it would have a bowel movement. Could it have this MBD or calcium problem?
Must have been severe impaction, as the signs you described are typically of MBD. Hopefully, he will be fine.
I took him to the reptile store and they said he was impacted so they took him back so they could ty to get him to pass it.
Thankyou:)
Seek assistance of a reptile vet, as you can get prescribed liquid calcium by the vet to help boost the calcium deficiency in the body.
Ok so I just got a beardie 4 days ago and he's about 3 months old. He only eats 3 crickets a day and I always dust them with D3 supplement and offer him some 3 times a day by barley eats them. I have a UVB and a basking light and they stay on for 12 hours a day. Just recently I noticed that his hind legs are bent and he shakes and walks weird. I'm pretty sure he has MBD. His jaw is also swollen. He doesn't move alot and when he does he wabbles. This just started happening. His temps are on the cool side high 80s and on the hot high 90s to 100s. Ever sence I noticed it this afternoon it's been progressing and I have no idea what to do or what I did wrong. Please help! Thanks
whitney,my bearded dragon,dude,wont eat his veggies we tried puting them in the waterbowl and during bathtime( that wat the person at the ahop told u to do if he wouldent eat his veggies
ive put them in his mouth but he spits it out wat should i do? i dont want him to get mbd i put that calcium stuff on his crikets but he wont eat them with that calcium stuff on them what should i do ???????
That is odd, but a good thing. The lack of vegetables could have worsened the situation.
yeah it is a very quick turn around at the point where her was. The weird thing is that she never eat vegetables and had to gut load the crickets and mealworm, but now she loves vegetables.
That is very surprising, but good news.
Hi Whitney. just another little update as its been about 4 weeks now. The BD is doing really well now. She has got her appetite back and feeds for herself now, and is moving alot faster now. Her walk isn't normal but that is to be expected but she gets around enough to get crickets and is starting to try and walk upright instead of pushing herself around. Her bones are on the mend and her rubber jaw is completely gone (firm now).
That is good to hear. It will take substantial time to see results, as the BD was very severe.
Hi whitney05, just to update you now, its been about 4 days since we started to help her, and brought her back to the vets today for a calcium shot. He says she is less chesty and able to breath better and is more coherent, moves a little faster and is able to hold her head up longer now, but for proper results will take a few months, but so far so good. will check back in in a few weeks and update you again.
Please do.
ok well i'll keep you updated... thanks
It is possible, but at the stage of MBD that he was at, it's slim. He'll never be normal, and will more than likely always have some problems. Good luck.
I brought him to the vet today and he gave him a calcium shot. I bought pure calcium tablets so i can dilute them down and give it to him orally. I also got D3 drops. And i got a 10.0 UVB florescent tubeinstead of my bulb.
Do you think id i persist he will become better???. He is a little more coherent since the shots and the lighting but maybe thats just me!!!
If the BD can't move really, then it's very very severe. In my opinion, he really should be put down humanely.
Hi. I know my BD has MBD, but was wondering how serious he has it. My BD does not walk properly as it lies on the ground and kinda pushes himself, and he is never able to stand on his four legs, not able to climb or hold onto things like he has not got the energy to do it or isn't bothered.
I have a UVB and change it every 2 months bulb in the tank and i feed him gut loaded crickets that are dusted with minerals. He has a "rubber" mouth which is a sign of MBD but he is kinda inbreed as well as is top lip doesn't meet his lower.
Have you got any advice and how severe it is as i don't want him to go on any longer in pain.
You can make sure that the BDs have true UV lighting for an hour a day, try finding a vet for liquid calcium dosages. Depending on the extent of the MBD, they may survive just be a little disabled.
i think i might have 2 give my beardies back to the shop because both of them have MBD and i would be heartbroken 2 see them die i just cant see them die :(
Generally, hereditary is going to be from poor breeding and improper health of the mother. If the mother is not able to provide enough calcium and nutrients to the eggs from the beginning, they may still be fertile and grow, be lain, and hatch, but the improper nutrients within the mom can cause later problems to the hatchlings. I'm don't have tons of info on this, as most MBD is not caused by hereditary issues. Generally, you'll find the improper health of the female can cause deficiencies within the hatchlings.
I wonder if you could give me some information about the hereditary of metabolic bone disease?
thanks!
Judith
You should see a vet to make sure that the BD is ok and that an infection doesn't set in. Are you also using a multi-vitamin and calcium +D3? I'm not sure what BD caclium is. All you need is a pure calcium for most of the time and a vitamin with D3 or calcium with d3. you need something that had d3 in it.
My adult BD has what looks like a broken toe. It is what would be the pinky on his left foot. It is also swollen a bit. Should I take him to the vet or will he be okay. I touched it to see if it was stuck pointing upwards and he pulled it back and gave me a look like "why did you do that?!" poor guy. He seems very healthy. I give him lots of greens, veggies, fruits and crickets (couple times a week on the crickets), plus pellets with freeze dried insects. I use BD calcium plus powder for the crickets and let them eat on veggies and fruit before I feed them to him. I am due to change my bulb, and I'm hoping he's not developing MBD. What do you think? Thanks ahead of time!
If she's gravid, it's not goign to show on her spine. It doesn't sound like a normal sign of MBD.
My 2yo female BD had developed two small boney "lumps" on each side at the base of her spine before her tail begins. Could this be a sign of MDB? We also believe she could be gravid.
You need to consult a vet. Are the temps accurate? Is the enclosure adequate? Is the BD on sand or a solid substrate like tile or reptile carpet? Do you have UV lighting?
hello, we have a baby beardie and i dont know what is wrong with him ? he looks sick his belly is all sunk in you can see his bones i feed him fruits an veggies every day and crickets every friday apprx 2 3 dozen he just doesnt seem to be getting any better can u please help
At that stage, there is slim hope, and in my opinion, the humane thing is to put the BD down. Baby food isn't much benefit to the reptile, as baby food is junk to them. It is manufactured to have perfect essentials for babies, not reptiles. It's commonly misunderstood and miscontrued as supplement and beneficial as sick reptile food, unless mixed with a highly concentrate supplement and other vitamins.
I recently took in a beardie who was beyond sick.. it has the worst case of MBD there is, his whole body looks like jello, it can bearly lift its head.. i have been orally feeding it baby food, and giving him cacium, i have the uvb light and heat lamps and proper set up.. the girl who i got it off of, told me she has already taken it to the vet. im wondering with the shots and the uvb light... will he get better? i want to save him.. please help!
I'm not sure what you mean by smelling. Have they been quarantined? Are the temps accurate? Is the UV new? When was the last time the UV was replaced? What are they eating? Are they being provided supplements? Are they housed separately?
i got 2 beardies a female and a male they are a mating pair until yesterday my male 1 went stiff and started to smell his eyes were open
If he's 2.5 years old and he's never eaten fruits or vegetables, then there could be a serious health condition that you're not seeing. MBD is very common if the BD hasn't eaten any produce ever. You'll need to forcefeed, but make sure to let him finish shedding first, as that can be stressful. Make sure the temps are good in the basking area and hot side, as well as a new UV tube (they should be replaced every 4-6 months) unless you're using the emitter then that's a little different.
hi i have a male bearded dragon he is around 2and a half, we got him when he was 1and a half, he's never ate veggies or fruit since we'v had him and we'v tried everything to get him to eat his greens, although he doesnt eat them he gets fresh ones in his viv everyday. do you have any suggestions? he's also been shedding the last few days and he's not ate alot he' keeps closing one eye aswel is something wrong with him?
The tweezers are more for feezing snakes than lizards. How old is the BD? Just leave the fresh vegetables in the tank and it'll get used to them. It would take way too much time to smoosh the appropriate amount of vegetables onto a cricket. You'd probably kill the crickets while doing that, as well. Plus, the BD would get more crickt than vegetable, and they need more vegetable than cricket. Try brightly colored thigns as well, such as carrots, squash, etc.
Having read all the posts, my beardie also does not like fruits and veggies. He/she eats crickets just fine, though. How do I 'force feed' the fruits, greens and veggies? I got a pair of those long feeding tweezers - can I put some smooshed fruit onto the cricket and feed it, so my beardie gets used to the taste? I have left many different kinds of greens, freshly cut, and they are untouched. Please help with any advice - other than this, my beardie seems healthy. Thanks, Jennie
I would wait until you know that he is good to go before breeding. That's just me.
Btw, yes this would be her first Breed.. The male is moving around again and showing his dominance. I did dose up on hic calcium intake though and I do believe that lite was the case! Ill keep you up to date......
Thanks, L
She is probably pregnant, unless this is her first breed, then the odds are slimmer. You never know. You have done the right thing so far. Good luck, and let me know how it goes and what the vet says. Just keep an eye on the male.
No they get crikets during the week with silkies witch are awsome... And I agree about the breeding, I ment after a few monthes if there weight is up and he is better, and I also will get vet checked first! I have another pair as well..But these two where housed together up untill a month ago I found them doing the nasty...lol.. witch I have video of it cause I caught it at the last 2 minutes of it!!!! So I seperated them and here we are. I just hope she does not get pregnant! I have been keeping a close eye on her but no signs yet! But just incase the hovabator is ready...lol... As always its a pleasure talking to ya.....
Thanx, L
You don't necessarily need to bump the supers. I thought they only got insects twice a month. I would be leery of introducing them again to breed. Definitely wait to make sure that it's something environmental and not hereditary. At their age it should really be their first breed.
Sorry forgot again, they only get the supers once or twice a month but I will give them more often. She gets them alot more often when prenant cause It fattens her up..
Thanks, L
Well I just got the new bulbs up and running, they are by zoomed the Repisun 10.0 uvb and 36 inches long and 30watts, so now the whole cage lights up..lol.. I would take him outside but to cold as I live in PA! YUCKKKK..... I have the green hammocks about 5 inches from the tube so they should be getting enuff now.. So now if he does get better I may introduce the female in again!! More Babies wooohooooooooo...... Thanks again,
Lance
It sounds like their diets are good. I would say it's probably time to change the UV tube. They should be changed every 4-6 months. Also make sure that the BD can get about 6 inches from the tube, bc after that the efficiency of the tube is minimal. I'd also provide crickets or supers more often than twice a month. I'd go with once a week, and make sure they are coated with calcium.
You may consider taking him outside if it's warm for about 10 minutes to get true UV rays. But make sure that you're with him.
I would just keep an eye out. It doesn't seem too severe as of now.
Also forgot to metion Monday, wed, friday and sunday they get greens, squashes, mustard greens,dandelions ( witch are hard to find),escarole and different fruits. Tues, thursday and saturday they get 3/4`` crikets and twice a month they will get super worms...He also poops everyday! they also get a bath 1-2 times a week..I just hope that the lite is the cause..............
L
Hello, so yesterday I seen that my BD was shaking on his right rear leg while laying down! Now I do suppelment him everyday, calcium monday, wed, friday, sunday and a multi vitimin tues, thurs and sat. Cold side stays between 50-68 as the warm side stays around 90-100. I just checked the light and seen it was a small maby 18 inch long exo terra uvb 10.0. But after checking the site I seen that this lite is crap. So now I got the reptisun10.0 36 inch long uvb. So im hoping that this is the problem and if not imma run to the vet. Also he is 1 and a half about 12`` long. I also have a female in another cage with the same setup and is doing great. Both in 50 gal breeders.. Do you think that the lite could be the cause?
Thanks so much, L
You need to force feed and find means to get the BD to eat the veggies. Without fruits and vegetables, your BD will have severe health problems in the end.
what do i do if my BD doesnt eat vegies
Sounds like you need a reptile vet ASAP! do you have lighting and uv? Are you supplementing? Are you offering high quality foods (IE not iceburg lettuce but darker greens and even some romaine)?
Are your temps right?
I GOT MY SON A BD IN AUG OF THIS YEAR HE WAS DOING GOOD UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO WHEN WE NOTICED HE STOPPED WALKING. IT SEEMS LIKE HIS BACK LEGS ARE PARALAZED. HE HASNT EATEN SO WE FORCED FED HIM AND HE ATE A LIITLE. IN HIS TANK WE HAVE A LIGHT THAT STAYS ON ALL DAY AND NITE AND A DAY LIGHT. HE EATS LIT CRICKETS WORMS LETTUCE AND CARROTS. AS OF YESTERDAY HE IS NOT OPENING HIS EYES.WHAT CAN I DO
Nicky you didn't give me any symptoms as to determine whether or not the BD has MBD or calcium deficiency. I would actually recommend that you purchase the UV bulbs and not tubes, Unless that is what you are talking about. Also, try liquid calcium supplements from a reptile vet. And, consider taking the BD outside during the peak sun ray times; because of the cooling weather you want to make sure that it's the warmest part of the day and that you only do it for a short period; otherwise I would recommend a few hours mid-morning, depending on where you are located. Also from now on remember to change the tube (if you're using UV tube) every 4-6 months. More than likely the vet is not wrong.
Hi there
I bought an 18 month old bearded dragon (my first ever) and very quickly realised something was wrong as he was walking on the back of his feet and dragging his back legs along. I took him to the vets and they said he was calcium defficient and that I need to give him extra calcium supplements to his diet. I started to do this and layed off the cabage etc which has something in it that can remove calcium from a beardies diet. Still though a week or two later he is not better. So I went to my local reptile breeder who asked me to check his UV light bulb to see what level UV he had been getting (bear in mind that this poor chap had had this bulb in from when he was a baby beardie i.e 18 months!!!!!!!) I checked the buld and he was on UV bulb 2 and he should have been on a ten. So yesterday I purchased a new UV 10 bulb and I am hoping that Oscar will now start to get better.
Do you think that this is Metabolic Bone Disease rather than just a calcium defficiency as I think the vet was wrong.
I think it is disgusting that some people are to ignorant to ask for advice or take the proper advice and let a poor animal like Oscar suffer the way he has it is pure cruelty to animals.
Thanks
Nicky
I have never tried the Solar drops, although I have heard of them. I would consult a vet before using them so that you can see how much to give your BD. Otherwise, just following whatever instructions are on the box. Try changing out your UV tube, and letting the BD get natural rays from the sun, if possible, in addition to the tank.
Hello I have a problm I hope you can help me with.I just bought th t-rex bone aid liquid calcium and the solar drops. I was wondering since my beardie kind of already has MBD(swelling of the arms,partial paralysis of the legs) about how many drops of the bone aid should i give her and how often and also about the solar drops.
Thank you
OKay then thanks
The UTH goes on the hot side of the tank. You should really have all lighting and UTH all on one side to create the warm side.
Does the UTH go on the Basking Side or the UVB side of the tank?
You still need to use UV lighting. I've never used the drops, but you really can't replace the UV lighting. Could be an inner ear concern; keep an eye on it, and if it continues, you'll want to see a reptile vet, as it could be something serious. I'm not sure. Make sure that your temperatures are accurate in the tank at the basic spot, and definitely get the UV lighting. Also, make sure that he's getting his supplements on his feeders as well as his fresh veggies daily.
I give my Beardie this stuff callled T-Rex Solar Drops(Liquid UVB)as an alternative to using UVB lighting, is this good for my pet or should I get the real deal?. Also, my pet has been doing the weirdest thing lately. He turns his head up & to the left and holds it there for long periods of time, he even does this during bath time and it causes him to swim in circles. What could be causing this?
Mandii 6 weeks ago
My beardie is almost 2 years old. He wont eat much of anything or at all. He has working UV lights and a clean home. He dosnt move around much at all and he is only a little bigger then he was the day i got him when he was 6 weeks old. I have tryed bathing him rubbing his belly and feeding him little amounts of calsium and baby food. I dont know what else to do. He isent active or responsive 98 % of the time. any suggestions?