Calcium Deficiency

Calcium deficiency leading to metabolic bone disease is the most common illness seen in reptiles .Most cases result from malnutrition -- specifically, a diet with no calcium whatsoever. When insufficient levels of calcium exist in the blood, parathyroid hormone is secreted by the parathyroid glands, causing calcium resorption from the bone. This creates normal blood calcium levels at the expense of the skeleton and leads to weak, thin bone that fractures easily. Growth is stunted, and in some cases, excessive amounts of non-calcified scar tissue are deposited around the bones in an apparent attempt to support the structural weakness. This later condition is called fibrous osteodystrophy and is commonly seen as grossly swollen legs and jaws in iguanas. Because calcium metabolism is so complex, treatment consists of more than just adding calcium to the diet.

Symptoms and treatment:

Symptoms of metabolic bone disease vary with age, duration of deficiencies, degree, and type of disease. Skeletal deformities include bowed legs, kinked backs, softness of the face and jaw (‘rubber jaw’) and irregular swelling of the limbs and jaw. Lameness results from fractures and bone deformities. Poor appetite occurs due to loose teeth and soft jaws. Fractured vertebrae can cause paralysis. Stunted growth is common. Spastic contraction of muscles can result. Remember, an apparently fat animal is not always well nourished.

Treatment involves correcting the diet, which is not always easy. Many reptiles (and not a few owners) are set in their ways and resist change. Oral or injectable vitamin D may be given, and a good source of ultraviolet light must be provided (direct sunlight is best). Vitamin D must be in the form of D3 as other forms cannot be utilized. Check the ingredient panel of vitamin supplements to ensure D3 is used. Remember, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is store din the body; hyper supplementation leads to toxicity. trying to quickly reverse a poor diet with hyper supplementation does not work -- it took a while for the bone disease to occur... it will take quite some time to reverse the damage.

Ultraviolet light can be provided by full-spectrum lights or by direct sunlight. (sunlight filtered through glass or plastic does not contain ultraviolet light... it has been blocked by the glass/plastic.)