Do you own a lizard, a parakeet, a sugar glider? Then you should know about metabolic bone disease (MBD) aka (nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism) and how to prevent it. Reptiles, birds and exotic mammals of all kinds can be affected by MBD but a proper diet and good exposure to sunlight can keep your pet safe from this dangerous disease.Sugar glider with MBD presenting on emergency
Metabolic bone disease is defined as any metabolic defect that affects the morphology and functioning of bones. Those are a lot of big words, right? Basically, MBD is a disease that affects the way that bones grow and develop.
MBD is caused by a calcium deficiency that causes bones to become weak and to break or fracture. In severe cases, the pet suffers multiple ‘folding fractures’ or ‘soft bones’ that cause the bones to almost bend under the weight of the pet. In less severe cases, the pet may only have one leg that is affected. But a complete physical exam usually shows evidence of old healed fractures. Some pets with MBD experience shaking or ‘tremoring,’ weakness, the inability to stand or support their own body weight, or a decrease in growth rate.
In addition to calcium deficiency, MBD has also been linked to vitamin D deficiency as well as a lack of exposure to sunlight. The good news is that proper care of your pet can usually prevent this disease.
Semi-aquatic soft shell turtles with this disease experience severe erosive infection in their shells. Birds experience tremors and long bone fractures. Macaw with thin bony cortices and a femoral fracture
Smaller mammals like sugar gliders usually show tremors and weakness. Large cats (lions and tigers) that are kept in captivity can also develop MBD and when they do they usually experience weakness and folding fractures as well.
Unfortunately, I have seen MBD in all of these species and many times the pet dies even with advanced medical care. Therefore, proper diet is essential in the care of all animals. A diet for herbivores should include Swiss chard, kale, beet greens, escarole, parsley, watercress, and green beans. A diet for carnivores and insectivores should include proper calcium and vitamin supplementation. Birds should be on a diet that is specific to the individual species and should include at least 50% of a good pelleted diet (organic pellets are available) and vegetables. A diet for sugar gliders should be supplemented with greens, insects, lead beater mixture and appropriate calcium and vitamins.
If you are feeding a non-traditional pet, be sure that you consult with a veterinarian to make sure you are providing a good diet and appropriate care and husbandry. Simple steps can help you avoid a disaster.
Until next time, please spay and neuter your pet and keep them healthy and indoors!
Ariana Finkelstein, DVM
I-10 Pet Emergency
10822 Fredericksburg Road
San Antonio, TX 78240