My pet was diagnosed with MBD. What are the best treatment options?

If MBD is suspected you have to make sure all the lights are adequate as this can play a very important role in the calcium metabolism. it's recommended to start the treatment with a Calcium injection, try to check with some regular vets in your area of living, they all have injectable calcium in their clinic, hopefully they will be willing to treat them.

As you probably know MBD is a metabolic disease due to lack of Calcium. Treatment must be done properly at your local vets, while prevention (or cure of mild forms of MBD) can be achieved by following these recommendations: Gut load live food prior to feeding making them more nutritious, dust live food with Nutrobal, Calcium, and/or Calcium D3, use correct UVB light, avoid excessive phosphorous in a diet (most fruits are high in P and low in Ca).

Hello, I’m glad you are taking steps to correct the MBD. Oral calcium is important as well as vitamin A and hydration. I like Repashy vitamin A dust on crickets every 2 weeks and calcium powder dust with every other feeding. Make sure the humidity stays above 50-60%. This is very hard inside in the winter so it will be a constant battle. Gut load and dust all insects fed, if you have a drip or misting system, ensure that is working well. The UVB light should be changed every 6 months. MBD lizards are at higher risk of infections and fractures so keep a close eye on his appetite and activity. Pad branches and lower branches if he seems unsteady. Most of all, be patient. Reptiles take a long time to get sick and take just as long to recover. It can take several months for him to bounce back, and any distortion or trauma to his bones may always be noticeable. If you’d like to discuss this more, don’t hesitate to request a consult. Take care!

An immediate check up at your local veterinarian would be essential to make sure right supplementation of calcium is given to cure MBD. Diagnosis requires often a radiographic study to make sure MBD is affecting him. Generally speaking full-spectrum UVB-producing bulbs should be used within the terrarium and calcium and vitamin D supplements can be given through plant material or insects. I would suggest anyway to have him checked before start any supplement (as toxicity from overdosage of Ca and VitD are quite common as well!). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

MBD can be treated, but Dobbie may never be "normal". Ideally, he should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If he has MBD, he likely has other issues related to poor husbandry and nutrition. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. He may need antibiotics to help with the wound on his face. There maybe nothing to be done with the tail other than partial amputation if it is causing discomfort. Your vet can determine this after an exam. With the proper care and support, he can lead a close to normal life. You can review water dragon care at the link below. Kudos to you for rescuing the little guy! http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/dragoncr.htm

First of all lightning is not the only factor, he also needs calcium supplement (powder). results of recovery can vary greatly in time, in many cases the disease is too far gone and the beardie might never recover, in other cases it may take several weeks or months.

It could be a fracture complicated by MBD but an exam and xrays is what Reptar needs to get a definitive diagnosis. It shouldn't cost "thousands". With proper care and some environmental and diet changes, he can recover from MBD. Left untreated, he may suffer permanent damage or even loss of the limb. An experienced herp vet will have the knowledge and experience to give Reptar the best chance at a full recovery. Follow the links to search for a local herp vet. http://www.herpvetconnection.com/calif.shtml http://www.anapsid.org/vets/findingvet.html