Metabolic bone disorder

[lovealynash]

My daughter had been practically begging for a beardie for about a year. So for her birthday we decided to get her one. I didn't want to buy from a pet store since I've seen some horrible breading practices. We really wanted to get a rescue.
That being said, we found one online at an amazing price. Come to find out, Thor has metabolic bone disorder. Apparently the chick we got Thor from only fed him crickets and peaches. Never dusted his food with calcium or any other vitamins. I did a ton of research on how to reverse this disorder and there is no guarantee that he will ever recover fully since we don't know how long he was on the cricket and peach diet. But we started the process the night we got him. She said he was purchased as a baby in Aug. Absolutely no way since he is about 16 inches long (from tip of the nose to tip of tail). Our vet was able to see him the day after we got him, confirmed what i thought about the metabolic bone disorder. He is now (a week and a half later) eating his greens (yay!!!) and he gets a good variety of recommended foods. My husband firmly believes that if I didn't get Thor when I did, he wouldn't have survived another month.
That's the back story on our beardie. Now for my question. He seems awfully thin. How can I get him to gain some weight? He still has a hard time using all 4 of his legs but sure can snatch up his crickets.

 

[CooperDragon]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for giving him a good home! MBD isn't reversible as far as I know but it can be treated and progress halted. He can live a good life. It's a great sign that he's eating on his own. He will eventually gain weight just by having a normal, steady diet. You may want to discuss using liquid calcium with your vet as that is more easily absorbed than the powder and often used in MBD cases. I also advise getting a high powered UVB light if you don't already have one. A T5 with a reflective fixture sitting about 12'' above the basking area is ideal. I use this one and it's excellent. http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

If you can get him eating calcium rich greens like collards and turnip greens that would also be helpful. It sounds like he's found a caring home and hopefully he will bounce back quickly and thrive with you.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Thank goodness Thor found a great home with you!
Some good foods to help with weight gain are squash varieties & sweet potatoes both. You can add those in with his greens for color & flavor for him.
He will hopefully be on the mend soon, with a good UVB light & supplementation.
You can post pictures of him here too, if you would like.
Also, be sure his basking platform & other climbing apparatus isn't too high for him right now, since his bone strength may be compromised.


Tracie

 

[lovealynash]

When we got Thor, his hind legs would just flail around when he was walking and his front legs would get stuck underneath his belly. But he sure did try to get around. Now, going on 2 weeks, he is using his front legs a bunch and he is actually able to bend what I would call his knees. He is getting stronger and stronger every day. I so wish I could locate the web page that said that some times the effects of MBD can be reversed. My kiddo is extremely hopeful that he will get better so they can go for walks when it warms up.
I do believe he has/had about 1/4 of tail rot but its not bothering him at all.
He loves to snuggle, he was crawling up me last night to get under my chin and fell asleep. He was next to his mommy (my kiddo) on the couch a couple nights ago. Laid on the couch with his head on her and fell asleep. I think he is really taking to us. He LOVES getting all up in my husbands beard...Lol.... He likes to lick me more than anyone else. I really think that he knows I saved him.

 

[Gormagon]

When we were having trouble with our first beardie "Naz", we had this same disscusion about MBD and he told us it was reversible to an extent but not totally. Unfortunately she had some other major complications and couldn't pull through, I miss her everyday. But, she did get through the MBD problem before she went.
This is what prompted me to research this creatures to the point that I am today. Had I known about this site 5 months sooner, she might have still been with us.

 

[Taterbug]

That's great to hear that he is getting better! I'm so glad he lucked out and found you guys.

MBD is a broad term for a range of ailments. Some of the symptoms can be 'reversed' and others can't. Any deformities of the skeleton will be permanent but he should be able to strengthen the damaged bones and be less at risk for fractures and breaks. Hopefully he continues to regain use of his muscles and flexibility to A good diet, supplements and proper husbandry will go along way to improving his heath, and even if he is always special needs and doesn't gain the mobility a healthy dragon would have he can still go on walks in the summer and be dotted on just like any other.

 

[CooperDragon]

MBD is a broad term for a range of ailments. Some of the symptoms can be 'reversed' and others can't. Any deformities of the skeleton will be permanent but he should be able to strengthen the damaged bones and be less at risk for fractures and breaks.

That's a good point. I guess it can be seen as similar to Cerebral Palsy that way which is also a broad term for a lot of different ailments. Working on strengthening muscles and getting plenty of exercise will be beneficial. If he enjoys baths then that might be a good way to provide some swim therapy

 

[lovealynash]

He LOVES being in water. We were doing a "bath" 2x's a day when we first got him. He was soaking in my (freshly scrubbed) kitchen sink with a mixture of warm water, unflavored electrolyte, calcium, and the vitamin powder, since they can absorb the nutrients through their vent. Now we are doing it once a day.

 

[CooperDragon]

It's a myth that they can absorb water through their vent. When they hydrate from baths they usually just dunk their head and have a drink. In my opinion it's best to just use warm water (warm on the inside of your wrist, like testing a baby bottle) and let him splash around for a while and get a swim in. That may help his muscles develop without putting a lot of stress and pressure on.