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Metabolic
Bone Disease (Scroll down for other health and disease links) |
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Metabolic
Bone Disease (Scroll down for other health and disease links) |
What is Metabolic Bone Disease?
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is one of the most common problems seen in Green Iguanas today. The most common form occurs when there is a deficiency of calcium in the diet coupled with an excess of phosphorus. Your iguana's bones become weak and spongy, enlarge, have irregular bumps/swellings, and break easily. MBD will not correct itself, and if left untreated will result in slow, painful death.
What are the symptoms of MBD?
How do I prevent MBD?
You can prevent MBD by providing your iguana with a diet that has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1, vitamin supplements, and exposure to UVB light. A cage that is large enough for your iguana to get exercise and proper heating are also very important to its overall health and the prevention of MBD.
I think my iguana is showing signs of having MBD. What do I do now?
Take your iguana to an experienced veterinarian that specializes in reptile care. After that you will need to provide your iguana with the proper care it needs. You can find information on how to properly care for your iguana at my Care Guide Section. Be sure to read ALL sections, as there are many aspects of care that will need correcting, not just diet. An iguana has very specific needs. If even just one area of care is neglected, you could be endangering your iguana's health. *See Caring For Your Green Iguana
What will the vet do to correct the problem?
There are many treatments your veterinarian may perform. It will all depend on how severe the MBD is at the time of treatment. Some treatments include:
Remember: Iguanas are wild animals. They survive very well in their natural wild enviornment. They did not ask to be brought here and be put in cages. But now that they are, it is OUR responsibility to make sure they get the care they need and deserve. They can't tell us what they need, THEIR OWNERS need to go find the information. I hope your visit here is to find out how to prevent MBD, not how to cure it.
Other
Links On Health And Disease 
Carmen Iguana's Metabolic Bone Disease Pages
Pet Service.com - MBD in Green Iguanas from their Drug and Disease Reference Library
Dino's Page - One iguana's survival of Metabolic Bone Disease
Cripple - A very special "Pet of the Day" with an incredible survival story
Blackening Skin Syndrome- by Melissa Kaplan
Preparing For Egg-Laying And Incubation Of Potentially Fertile Eggs - by Melissa Kaplan
DYSTOCIA - Egg-Binding / Fetal Retention - by Melissa Kaplan