mbd

Question
QUESTION: my sons bearded dragon is about 5 years old.  He was diagnosed with MBD about two years ago (he had symptoms of it for approximately 1 1/2 years, though we didn't know what it was or what to do).  We took him to a vet who prescribed calcium supplements for about a month, which we did.  However, he still has not recovered.  He has no use of his back legs, and his front legs only support him marginally.  However, he still eats.  We feed him mealworms, crickets, and greens, which he eats, which we dip in calcium powder before feeding.  I just need to know if it's been this long, is there any hope for recovery?  If it hasn't recovered, and won't, is it crueler to keep him alive?  any hope?  or any ideas?

ANSWER: Hello Kevin,

How long did you use the liquid calcium?  If he has metabolic bone disease that badly, he should be on the liquid calcium, for life.
The best liquid calcium you can get is calcium glubionate & you can get it from here:

www.beautifuldragons.com    Just click on the medications & supplement area.

What type of basking light are you using?  
What are the temps in the tank, & how do you measure them, with a stick on thermometer, a digital probe or a temp gun?   
Are you using UVB lighting?  If not, that is why he is not improving.  He will not be able to absorb the calcium without UVB exposure.  
I highly suggest that you purchase a Megaray which is the best mercury vapor bulb that you can possibly get.  It is only $39.95 plus shipping.  It will last around 1 year so it is a bulb that you definitely get your money's worth!  Get the 100 watt Self ballast & it will need to be 12 inches from your dragon.
Go to:
www.reptileuv.com

How much do you feed him daily?  As an adult, he needs around 40-50 feeders weekly.  I would leave the mealworms out though as they are too fatty to be used routinely.  The cricket & greens are great.  Maybe try some phoenix worms, butterworms, or silkworms.  
He needs greens & veggies daily, as well.  
Let's try to change his lighting & get some liquid calcium into him & see how he does.  Then we can see if he starts to improve.  It does take a long time for recovery, but, the husbandry does need to be correct for him to have the best chance for recovery.  
If he is only eating a few bugs here & there & he just gets a little bit of calcium on there, that is not enough for his condition.   

Can you post a picture of him for me?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


spike   QUESTION: Thanks, Tracie.  We'll adopt the changes you suggested.  to answer your questions:
We have a Reptiglo 5.0 UVB light that we got following the vet visit.
The basking lamp is a 100 watt repta sun bulb .
temp is taken using a dial thermometer mounted in the tank.  Temp is around 90.
Though he is eating, it is not the amount you referenced.  He tends to leave the greens we have fed him, and crickets are difficult for him to catch, that's why we did the mealworms...but I can move to hand feeding him.
We gave him the liquid calcium for 1 month at vet direction.
Another issue, but one that i'm not sure matters at this point.  On pet store recommendation, we had him in a 10 gallon first, then after the first troubles went to a 20.  i know, now, that the tank is too small for an adult bearded, but at this point, not sure if it'll be an issue.  I'm no longer listening to the pet stores!
Can he get better?  I seem to see conflicting info out there on these sites that suggest different outcomes, regardless of treatment?

Answer
Hello Kevin,
Good you got a UVB light, but I hate to have to tell you but the Reptiglo 5 is way too weak.  It does not have near the UVB that he needs.
So the Repta sun is a non uvb light, & just a bright white basking light, correct?  
There are only 3 lights that I will recommend that will help him get out of the MBD more quickly.  The Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb, the T-Rex active UV heat, the Megaray.  The Megaray & the T-Rex active UV heat are both mercury vapor bulbs which either one would be the best thing that he could get to help his body absorb the calcium more quickly.  He cannot process or absorb calcium or vitamins without proper UVB exposure.  He also cannot synthesize D3 without UVB exposure which means his bones will not stay strong.  
The dial thermometers are sometimes not very accurate.  Can you get a temp gun?  You can order one from  www.reptileuv.com  (same place you can get the Megaray).    Or you can try to find a digital probe at walmart in the plants section. It is acurite brand. If you cannot find it there then you can order it from   www.reptilesupply.com  
So we do need to get those temps fixed.  At 90 if that is accurate, it is not warm enough for him to absorb & digest his food.  The basking temps need to be 95-110 & at the cooler end it should be around 78-82.  
Right now, you can leave him in the 20 gallon since he is not able to move around very much. If you decide on a mercury vapor bulb, make sure the light is 12 inches away, so he doesn't get overheated.  That is no problem.  You can continue to feed a few mealies, but you can also get some phoenix worms, & butterworms both of which are very high in calcium & will really help.  
You can get the phoenix worms directly from the manufacturer & developer:   www.phoenixworm.com  
You can get the butterworms from  www.premiumcrickets.com

Or, you can get both from  www.premiumcrickets.com  

Yes, he can get better.  At this point the most important recommendations that I can give you are these:

1)  Get one of the suggested UVB lights, either the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb, the T-Rex Active UV light or the Megaray.
2)  Doublecheck his temperatures by getting a temp gun or a digital probe thermometer.
3)  Begin using liquid calcium from  www.beautifuldragons.com  
4)  Use a higher quality feeder such as one of the worms that I suggested, along with assist feeding a slurry of greens & veggies, daily.  

I have seen cases this bad recover, but it is going to take some time & you need to act quickly on this as he will go downhill very fast now.  

If you have any other questions, you can either write me here or you can write me at home at:
Drache613@cfl.rr.com

I will help you any way that I can to get him better.  :-))

Tracie