Iggy Owner’s Guide To Iguana Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone disease is a collective term. It refers to various conditions that cause iguanas to develop bone deformities. Iguanas in the wild never suffer from this condition. Improper care by the owner is typically the cause. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about metabolic bone disease in green iguanas.
Causes
One or more factors can contribute to MBD. Most iguanas develop this disease because of a lack of calcium. When there isn’t another source available, the body will start leeching it from bones. The bones will weaken dramatically which can cause your iguana to sustain a fracture easily.
Some iguanas develop the disease because the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in their diet isn’t right. Other iguanas develop MBD because of lack of exposure to UVA and UVB light. Iguanas need vitamin D to metabolic calcium. If they don’t receive enough UVB light, they will be unable to manufacture their own vitamin D. The risk of MBD also increases because of various diseases and improper temperatures in the enclosure.
Symptoms
One of the first signs of metabolic bone disease isn’t visible. The lower jaw bone will feel spongy or soft. The jaw bone may also start to swell. This will make it more difficult for your iggy to eat. This is why loss of appetite is a common sign. Your iguana’s thinning bones will also cause him to suffer easily broken bones.
As the disease progresses, he may start experiencing episodes of twitching and tremoring. Tremoring usually occurs in the leg and toe muscles. He will also likely develop a jerky gait that you can easily notice when he walks.
Treatment
Your iguana’s treatment options depend on the severity of the disease. The good news is that metabolic bone disease in iguanas can usually be treated when detected early. If your iguana has suffered any broken bones, they will need to be allowed to heal. Iguanas that lack calcium may be prescribed a strong supplement. Any other issues dealing with improper care will also need to be addressed.
All owners need to know as much as they can about caring for iguanas. If you’re looking for a comprehensive resource to learn from, make sure you check out green-iguana-care.com. Click over right now.
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