Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone disease in iguanas actually refers to various conditions that cause bone deformities. This disease typically occurs because of improper husbandry. Iguanas that live in the wild never suffer from metabolic bone disease.
Causes
The most common reason iguanas develop this condition is because they lack enough calcium in their diet. Without enough calcium to fulfill the body’s needs, it will start taking it from the bones. This dramatically weakens the bones and causes very easy fractures.
However, a lack of calcium isn’t the only reason iguanas develop metabolic bone disease. It can also occur if you don’t provide our iggie with enough UVA and UVB light. Without this light, they are unable to make their own vitamin D, which is necessary for their bodies to metabolize calcium properly. Improper temperatures and health conditions that cause hormonal imbalance can also lead to metabolic bone disease.
Signs
The best way to determine if your iguana is suffering from this condition is to feel his lower jaw bone. It will feel soft or spongy. Be careful that you don’t apply too much pressure, or you may break it. The jaw may also start to swell which will make it pretty hard for your iggie to eat. He will probably stop eating altogether.
If this disease is allowed to progress, your iguana may start having episodes of tremoring and twitching. This most often affects the muscles in the legs and toes. When he walks, you may also notice a rather jerky gait.
Treatment
Treatment of metabolic bone disease in iguanas depends on how advanced it is. If caught early enough, it can usually be treated successfully. However, you should know that some deformities are permanent.
Most iguanas have suffered broken bones which lead to a diagnosis of this condition. The bones will need to be set and allowed to heal. A strong calcium supplement will need to be prescribed if a lack of calcium in the diet is the underlying cause. If other types of improper care are the reason, then they will need to be corrected.
