What is bearded dragon MBD symptoms? Bearded dragons are a popular pet choice for reptile and exotic animal lovers, especially since they tend to be more low-maintenance than some other reptiles.
But just like any other species, they can develop diseases or health issues due to improper care.
One of the most common problems bearded dragons suffer from is metabolic bone disease (MBD).
Metabolic bone disease is caused by calcium deficiency in your bearded dragon’s diet as well as a lack of vitamin D3 or incorrect levels of UVB sunlight.
Without proper levels of these vitamins, their bones become weak and deformed leading to poor health and even death in extreme cases.
It’s important to recognize the signs of MBD early on in order to give your pet the best possible chance at recovery.
In this article, we’ll discuss MBD symptoms in bearded dragons so you can better watch out for them and take quick action if needed.
Bearded Dragon MBD Symptoms
Bearded dragons are amazing, stoic creatures that require specialized care in order to remain healthy and happy.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a common but serious condition that can occur if bearded dragon’s aren’t properly cared for.
Knowing the signs of MBD is essential to keeping your pet healthy.
Here’s a list of signs to look out for:
Lethargy and Weight Loss
If your bearded dragon displays decreased activity levels or starts losing weight, it may be an early sign of Metabolic Bone Disease.
If these symptoms are observed, it’s recommended that you take your reptile to the vet as soon as possible to receive an examination.
Deformities in Limbs and Spine
MBD can cause bones to become brittle and weak due to lack of calcium in their diet, leading to deformities that you should watch for during regular inspections of your bearded dragon’s body.
Symptoms may include swelling around the legs, crookedness or wavering when walking, kinks or bends in the spine, swollen joints, bowed legs or weakness in the limbs.
Soft Shell Syndrome
If you lift up and inspect your reptile – anything from its stomach down – and discover soft spots where their shell should be hard like a rock then this could be a sign something isn’t right internally with metabolism affecting bone density/shell development.
Your veterinarian might refer to this condition as “hypocalcemia” which simply refers to having low levels of calcium circulating throughout the body due to inadequate absorption by the digestive system.
Hind Leg Paralysis
Hind leg paralysis (plyparesis) is one of advanced MBD symptoms resulting from spinal cord compressions due either skeletal misalignment caused by poor nutrition or tumor-like growth on vertebrae caused by internal organ malfunctioning such as liver disease.
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If left untreated this symptom can lead more severe conditions such as partial paralysis that hinders ambulation capabilities drastically affecting quality of life for affected lizards.
Open Sores/Mouth Swelling
One major concern with MBD is how it affects tissue healing capacity resulting in opportunistic infections due slow cellular regeneration .
This issue can sometimes leads seemingly unexplainable sores mainly located over exposed areas (eyes, nose..).
On top on these open wounds , if you notice swelling around its mouth area , then there is high chance that metabolic skewed balance caused by wrong diet has reached point where medical attention would make a difference.
Conclusion
Bearded dragon MBD is an unfortunately common illness that can be avoided if you have the knowledge to properly care for your pet.
If you notice any of the symptoms listed in this article, don’t hesitate to take your bearded dragon to the vet.
With the right care, your dragon can make a full recovery and live a happy and healthy life.
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