what is metabolic bone disease?

Question

our iguana could possibly have MBD and we have been given meds by the vet but were wondering if there are any other suggestions and if anyone knows exactly what MBD is?

Answer 1

MBD covers a group of related diseases. You need to find out from your vet exactly which one you're dealing with. Definitely look at the info at the anapsid website. Here's the link http://www.anapsid.org/mbd2.html Print the info and give it to your vet, also, with the following:

In addition to getting too little dietary calcium and too much dietary phosphorous, also consider the lighting your iggy is getting. Most reptiles need vitamin D3 in order to process calcium. Your iggy should be able to make D3 itself, if it has the proper UVB lighting. If you are giving UVB and using D3, you will be overdosing your lizard. D3 is not flushed from the body and overdosing can lead to toxicity.

Also, are you giving your iggy spinach, parsley, or broccoli? These foods contain high amounts of oxalic acid which bind to calcium and limit the amount a lizard can absorb. While it's okay to feed these occassionally, don't make them a major part of the diet. Here's a chart showing the amount of calcium oxalate vs, calcium in popular foods: http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/cal_ox.html

Reptiles magazine had an article about metabolic bone disease in the June 2002 issue (Reptiles 10(6):58-67). This will be informative to you and the vet if you can get a copy of this article (local library, or library interloan?).

Also on the anapsid website is a page for veterninarians that will work with/consult on reptiles by state. Maybe you can find one in your area that your vet can consult with, if he/she is willing to do so. A reptile vet will have more knowledge about the subject and can advise you or your vet on what you will need to do. http://www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html#vetlist

And THANK YOU for taking your animal to a vet! I have dealt with far too many reptile owners who seem to think their animals aren't worth the trouble. Hope your's is in the early stages and can be treated.

Answer 2

taken from anaspid.org


Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is an umbrella term that covers a number of disorders related to the weakening of the bone or impaired systems function caused by an imbalance in vitamin D3, calcium and phosphorus. This imbalance may be caused by a lack of or too much of one of these three essential elements or the failure to provide one or more of them in a bioavailable form. Many foods highly touted for their calcium content, such as spinach, carrots, collards, chards and other thick leafy greens, contain calcium oxalates that bind calcium. This renders most or all dietary calcium, both that contained in the foods and that added to the foods as supplements, unavailable for maintenance and growth, depending on the quantities ingested. MBD and calcium metabolism is discussed in great detail in many texts and so will not be elaborated upon here.

Answer 3

It is a Generic term pertaining to bone vitamin defecincy. It means that bones in the body are weak, malformed, or too thick. It is caused by any number of problems, mostly vitamin D3, Phosphorus, and Calcium Deficency or Overdose. Mostly its a term used for a Deficency. It just means the the reptile isnt receiving enough of a balanced diet or is having problems digesting and metabolizing the calcium and vitamins it is getting.

Answer 4

Most metabolic diseases in reptile are caused by poor diet. Make sure you are feeding a wide variety of dark green leafy vegetables, like kale and spinach. Doing routine bloodwork checks will also help you evaluate what kind of supplements to be giving.