Reptiles and Amphibians Q&A 12

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Reptiles and Amphibians Q&A.

These two three-yearold female red-eared slider turtles are being kept under different captive husbandry conditions. The turtle on the right is normal.

Question	Answer		Article
What is your diagnosis of the turtle on the left?	Metabolic bone disease.		Link to Article
What poor techniques of captive management might be the cause of this turtle’s disorder?	A diet rich in phosphorus and low in calcium; hypovitaminosis D3; and lack of exposure to unfiltered sunlight or full-spectrum ultraviolet light can cause metabolic bone disease.		Link to Article
How is this condition treated?	Change to a more natural high-calcium, moderate-phosphorus diet that contains bony tissue, eg, live fish or commercial floating turtle chow, and calcium-rich leafy vegetation and algae. If deemed appropriate, calcium lactate or gluconate can be administered orally or parenterally (1.0–2.5mg/kg daily). Although the bony carapace and plastron will eventually become remineralised when the turtle’s diet is improved, the deformities are likely to remain apparent for the life of the turtle.		Link to Article