Metabolic bone disease can be a very dangerous for bearded dragons. In today’s article, I will explain the causes and how to prevent metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons.
How Does Metabolic Bone Disease Affect The Bearded Dragon?
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a common disease in reptiles that can cause bones to become brittle and break easily. It can also lead to a broken toe or bearded dragon tail rot.
Unfortunately, MBD cant lead to paralysis and eventually kill your bearded dragon.
What causes Metabolic Bone Disease in Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons usually develop MBD when they do not have enough calcium in their diet. Other causes of MBD are
- If there is no ultraviolet light available bearded dragons can’t produce vitamin D3, so calcium is not absorbed correctly.
- If the temperature of their enclosure is not optimum, food will not be adequately digested.
- Diseases like thyroid dysfunction, parathyroid disease, and the small intestine can disturb calcium metabolism.
- Liver and kidney diseases become hurdles in activating vitamin D.
Signs of metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons
Common symptoms of MBD in bearded dragons are:
- Inflammation in the face, mouth, or legs/toes
- Shaking legs
- Twitching
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Walking with a limp
How to prevent metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons?
The best way to prevent metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons is to feed your dragon a high calcium diet.
A great option is to feed your bearded dragon a lot of leafy vegetables. Vegetables with a high calcium content include
- Spring greens
- Dandelion leaves
- Timothy hay
- Figs
- Mustard Greens
- Squash
You should avoid feeding your bearded dragon spinach, because this actually prevents the absorption of calcium.
Aside from diet, you can also prevent MBD in bearded dragons by keeping your bearded dragon hydrated, providing enough UV lighting and wattage, and maintaining the proper temperature in their habitat.
Can bearded dragons recover from metabolic bone disease?
Yes, bearded dragons can recover from metabolic bone disease if you catch it early. It is important that you begin treatment as soon as you notice that your dragon has MBD.
How to treat metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons?
The key to treating metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons is to add calcium to their diet, administer calcium supplements, keep them hydrated, maintain a proper temperature, and provide adequate lighting.
Add calcium to their diet: As mentioned above, the number 1 cause of MBD in bearded dragons is calcium deficiency. You should feed your dragon a diet that is heavy in calcium to help restore strength in their bones.
Calcium supplements: If your dragon’s calcium deficiency is severe, your vet might give you some calcium supplements to administer.
Hydration: Keeping your bearded dragon hydration will help it absorb calcium and other important nutrients. Dehydration will further weaken your bearded dragon’s body.
Proper temperature: Your dragon should be kept in a habitat with the appropriate temperature. If their habitat is too hot or too cold, it can cause digestion issues.
Proper UV lighting: Your dragon also requires UV light since they are cold blooded. UV lighting helps maintain their circadian rhythm and aids digestion and calcium absorption.