Metabolic Bone Disease

• Metabolic bone disease affects lizards in captivity, particularly young green iguanas
• The condition is caused by:
  • Dietary deficiency of calcium and vitamin D
    • For example, due to poor lighting (which diminishes viatmin D production).
  • Dietary excess of phosphorus
  • Certain toxicities
  • Diseases of the kidneys, liver or parathyroid
    • This aetiology is rare
• Clinical signs include:
  • Lethargy
  • Inability to support weight
  • Rounded skull
  • Spontaneous fractures
  • Adult animals also show signs of hypocalcaemia
• The skeleton shows reduced density on radiography.