Metabolic Bone Disease
HOME CARE FOR GREEN IGUANAS AND OTHER REPTILES
WITH SECONDARY NUTRITIONAL
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM (metabolic bone disease)
Susan Horton, DVM
This disease syndrome affects any reptile but most especially those reptiles with a very
fast growth rate including but not limited to: Sulcata tortoises, Leopard Tortoises,
Bearded Dragons, Leopard Geckos, Chameleons, frogs, Thai Water Dragons, and of
course Green Iguanas. It is purely a disease of inadequate husbandry
Your reptile has been diagnosed with a metabolic condition that took many months to
develop. It is critically deficient in calcium and/or vitamin D 3.
Young reptiles have a
tremendous need for calcium as they grow. When calcium is not available to them, they
start to remove calcium from their own bones. This causes them to become soft and
rubbery. They fracture easily. Muscle also needs calcium to function properly. A
calcium deficient reptile will tremor, have difficulty eating, walking, defecating, and
urinating. Diet, as well as environment have both contributed to creating this disease
state.
The recovery process may take months. Many pets recover completely. Some are left
with permanent deformities or nervous deficits. Some will die. During the recovery
process, your reptile will need you to help feed it and nurse it back to health. Some
reptiles take weeks before they start to gain weight and eat well on their own. Their
recovery hinges on providing the correct environment and nutrition. This handout will
help you through the critical stages of recovery.
MEDICATIONS:
Calcium supplementation:
Calciliquid- Give
cc by mouth
daily for 30 days. Dose is based on
current body weight. I will prescribe this after your reptile has been examined.
Pick out a powdered commercial calcium supplement that is phosphorus free.
Use this on the days you are not using the multivitamin supplement below.
Multivitamin supplement:
A powdered supplement should be added depended on your reptile's current
needs. We will decide this after the examination.
Other:
Decided at the time of examination.
Note this guy's shell deformity. His shell was very soft.
FEEDING:
Hand feeding-choices for syringe feeding
1.
We use tube feeding formulas developed by Oxbow. The metabolic Bone
Disease hand feeding diet will probably be appropriate. The amount will be
decided at the exam.
2. Powder one part rabbit pellets (run it dry through the blender) or use critical
care by oxbow and three parts pedialyte. Freeze in ice cube tray and serve
thawed with a syringe. This will work with herbivores.
Give your reptile
cc twice daily.
SOAKING:
Soak your reptile in warm water for 20 minutes once to twice daily. The water should
not be above its shoulders. If it is very weak, you will need to monitor it the whole time
or hold up its head to make sure it does not drown.
More Shell deformities. He had severe skeletal deformities as well.
ENVIRONMENT:
Remove all climbing materials. Your reptile is delicate in this condition and will fracture
from falls.
Provide a UVB source such as the fluorescent Reptisun or mercury vapour bulb (even for
geckos, though lower intensity needed). There can be no glass or plastic between the
light and the reptile. The reptile should be no more than 12 inches away from the light,
but no closer than 2 inches. On sunny, warm days (80 +), the reptile can bask outside.
Do not put it outside in an aquarium-it will cook. Allow access to water and shade.
Provide predator protection. They are fast when they warm up, be careful!
Proper temperature gradient in the cage is important. Follow the recommended
temperature gradient for the species you keep. For Green Iguanas, there should be a
hot spot that reaches 95 – 100. The low-end temperature of the cage should be 80. Do
Not Use a Hot Rock for any species!!!! Spot light bulbs coupled with under the tank
heating systems work well. A thermostat is recommended. You should have multiple
thermometers to measure your temperature gradient.
The reptile should be kept alone during recovery. Undo stress from larger cage mates
will hinder its recovery and/or continued health.
There should be a hiding place. Sometimes covering up half the enclosure helps the
reptile to feel more secure. Often times, small reptiles respond to us as if we were
predators. Until it gets used to you, give it security.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide helpful service to you and your pet.
Please follow through with you pet’s rechecks as they are important in its recovery. If
you have any questions, give us a call at 01296 630600.
Secondary Nutritional Hyperparathyroidism (MBD) can be prevented. It will lead to the
death of the reptile if proper measures are not taken. Don't let this happen to your
beloved reptile.