Under bite MBD?

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Read that a bearded dragon with under bite is a sign of metabolic bone disease. My bearded dragon seems to have a very very slight under bite. Top jaw looks slightly shorter then the bottom. Honestly I maybe be overacting but I just wanted to get some opinions. Should I be concerned or does he look normal?

Reptisun 10.0 ho with reflector. Basking spot is usually around 105. Hes 20 inches long. I dust my feeders with calcium powder.
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AHBD

BD.org Sicko
A slight underbite like that is not a problem as long as his diet , uvb + supplementation are up to par. Some b.d's have that look and it causes no problem whatsoever. :)
 

Ancline

Member
I've been told you need to replace UVB tube bulbs every 6 months even if they're still emitting light because the UVB dips off in strength significantly after 6 months. If you've been replacing the bulb diligently every 6-7 months then you definitely have nothing to worry about.

I decided not to deal with spending $25 every 6 months and bought a megaray bulb for $45 which is guaranteed to last at least a year, so murcury vapor bulbs are actually slightly cheaper in that respect. Megaray was also designed specifically to rehabilitate bearded dragons with MBD and, as far as I know, is the highest producer of UVB on the market. Unlike florecent UVB bulbs as long as a mercury vapor bulb emits a greenish light it's also emiting UVB. Also annother bonus to mercury vapor bulbs is that they produce so much UVB it's not necessary to supplement a beardie's calcium with vitamin D; it actually might give them too much. I make my own calcium dust out of baked egg shells I grind up in a ceramic coffee grinder. I initially made the calcium dust as a cheap DIY antiacid, antiacids with sugar hurt my stomach so the calcium dust is way better.
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

I agree, some dragon's structures have slight underbites that is normal for them & doesn't even bother them.
Which UVB light are you using currently & what is your supplementation like?
He looks very good in the pictures though. :D


Tracie
 

ctruluck1324

Member
Original Poster
His uvb is a reptisun t5 10.0 ho. Ive been told its good for a year but I change it every 6-7 months just to be on the safe side. I feed him super worms and dubia roaches. Always dust with calcium powder. I read a lot of sources saying you dont need calcium with d3 with the t5 ho, but I still use it some and alternate with calcium without d3 just to be safe. Looking back at some older pics when he was a little smaller hes seemed to always have a little overbite so Im not to worried about it anymore. I read that sometimes they can develop a slight one if they grown really fast my my bearded dragon grew like a weed lol.
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

That is very true, oftentimes develop a slight underbite if they grow rapidly. Sometimes their body uses calcium faster than what they take in.
If he seems to have had it for awhile, then it's nothing to worry about it.
The Reptisun 10 T5 HO is pretty good tube, though there have been a few batches lately that were not as good. I don't think that is the issue though.
He looks good!

Tracie
 
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