| Metabolic bone disease, or MBD, is quite common in | | | | Signs |
| captive reptiles. Dragons that live in the wild don't | | | | Dragons with MDB develop very thin bones. This |
| suffer from this condition. It is primarily caused by | | | | allows them to break easily. The weakened bones will |
| improper care. So, what exactly can cause metabolic | | | | also make it more difficult for your dragon to climb, |
| bone disease in bearded dragons? | | | | walk, or jump. |
| Causes | | | | It's also common for these reptiles to develop |
| Many different things can lead to MBD. The most | | | | twisted toes, limbs, and backs. Eating can become |
| common cause is a lack of calcium in your dragon's | | | | painful once the jaw bones become soft and spongy. |
| diet. Calcium is very important to proper functioning | | | | As the disease progresses, your dragon may even |
| and formation of muscles and bones. This is why you | | | | experience paralysis of the front or rear legs. |
| need to give your bearded dragon calcium | | | | Treatment |
| supplements regularly. | | | | Treatment of this disease involves correcting the |
| It's also important that you provide proper UV | | | | underlying problem. If a lack of calcium in the diet is |
| lighting. Without it, reptiles like bearded dragons can't | | | | to blame, you may need to give calcium and vitamin |
| digest calcium properly. Other common causes of | | | | D injections. If you haven't provided your bearded |
| metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons is | | | | dragon with a UV light, you will need to do so. If |
| improper temperatures in the enclosure and various | | | | other diseases or conditions are to blame, they will |
| other diseases. | | | | need to be dealt with before MDB will go away. |