Changes

[[Image:Iguana_mbd_swollenjaw.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Green iguana with MBD and swollen jaw''' (© RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]

[[Image:Iguana_mbd_swollenjaw.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Green iguana with MBD and swollen jaw''' (© RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a complex disease that is associated with derangement of the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3, poor husbandry and other diseases.

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a complex disease that is associated with derangement of the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3, poor husbandry and other diseases.

MBD is the most common disease in captive lizards, especially green iguanas; it is usually a result of poor husbandry. For example, deficiency in Vitamin D3 and/or UVB in combination with calcium deficiency leads to metabolic bone disease.  Associated terms include fibrous osteodystrophy, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, osteomalacia and rickets.

MBD is the most common disease in captive lizards, especially green iguanas; it is usually a result of poor husbandry. For example, deficiency in Vitamin D3 and/or UVB in combination with calcium deficiency leads to metabolic bone disease.  Associated terms include fibrous osteodystrophy, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, osteomalacia and rickets.

==Dealing with MBD==

==Dealing with MBD==

Tremors, muscular fasciculations, paresis and seizures usually develop in more severe cases of MBD with developed hypocalcaemia. However in most cases, calcium and phosphate levels usually appear normal.  

Tremors, muscular fasciculations, paresis and seizures usually develop in more severe cases of MBD with developed hypocalcaemia. However in most cases, calcium and phosphate levels usually appear normal.  

In some cases, hindlimbs may appear very muscular as a result of thickening of the bone cortex caused by marked fibrous osteodystrophy in the long bones. Palpation or radiography suffice to differenciate from healthy tissue.

In some cases, hindlimbs may appear very muscular as a result of thickening of the bone cortex caused by marked fibrous osteodystrophy in the long bones. Palpation or radiography suffice to differenciate from healthy tissue. In addition, the costochondral junctions may appear enlarged and distorted.

[[Image:Leopardgecko_mbd_xray.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Radiograph of Leopard gecko showing signs of MBD. Decreased opacity to the pelvis and caudal vertebrae. No clear contrast between bone and soft tissue is a classic sign of MBD.''' (© RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]

[[Image:Leopardgecko_mbd_xray.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Radiograph of Leopard gecko showing signs of MBD. Decreased opacity to the pelvis and caudal vertebrae. No clear contrast between bone and soft tissue is a classic sign of MBD.''' (© RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]

*History - dietary and environmental evaluation  

*History - dietary and environmental evaluation; directed towards identifying possible causes of calcium and vitamine D3 deficiency.

*Physical examination  

*Physical examination  

*Radiography - hypomineralisation of skeleton, pathological fractures, fibrous osteodystrophy. Radiographs are very effective in confirming the diagnosis; indeed, radiolucent transverse processes in the caudal vertebrae are pathognomonic of MBD in lizards.

*Radiography - hypomineralisation of skeleton, pathological fractures, fibrous osteodystrophy. Radiographs are very effective in confirming the diagnosis; indeed, radiolucent transverse processes in the caudal vertebrae are pathognomonic of MBD in lizards.

*Biochemistry - calcium is generally within normal limits but may be low, especially in neurological cases  

*Biochemistry - calcium is generally within normal limits but may be low, especially in neurological cases; calcifediol assay can be done to status.