Hypocalcemia in reptiles, especially lizards, is pretty common and is caused by inadequate calcium levels. When the intake or absorption rate of Calcium is what it should be, Hypocalcemia will not set in, but if it is inadequate, it will result in the occurance of moderate to severe symptoms such as tremors with motion and, in severe cases, tremors while lying still.

 

To treat Calcium deficiencies, use liquid calcium for the fastest results. Dilute with water, following the directions on the bottle, and serve some in a small dish. If prolonged, it can lead to the following potential fatalities...

 

Egg binding can be caused by a series of different factors but the truth of the matter is, chances are it was likely caused by inadequate husbandry or inadequate nutrition. If a female doesn't have the right conditions to lay (be it the wrong substrate, not enough substrate, conditions are too dry, not enough privacy, improper temperature, etcetera) then unfortunately she will not lay. If the mother is suffering from Hypocalcemia or MBD, is obese or dehydrated, or stressed, any of these are the likely cause of the binding, especially if the female has laid before. There is also the chance the eggs fused together inside of her, or are just too abnormally big for her to pass. If the bound clutch is the female's first clutch, it's very possible that one or more of the same reasons listed above are the culprit, however it is also possible that it could be an abnormality of her reproductive organs. Regardless of the cause, egg binding should be dealt with as quick as possible, otherwise it can lead to a decrease of fertility, increased chances of binding again, and in worst cases, death if not treated. Fertile eggs will continue to grow inside the female, even if she does not lay them, which will cause many internal problems for her. So always make sure that if your female is laying, she's well supplemented and is in the optimal environment for breeding and laying.

 

Any reptile that is receiving inadequate supplementation is susceptible to calcium crash but females that are laying, whether the eggs are fertile or not, are even more susceptible to crashing. Egg shells are made up of calcium so improper diet, failing to supplement regularly, and even failing to allow them to moderate their own intake, will eventually lead to a calcium crash. If they crash more than once, this can also lead to the development of MBD over time.

 

Metabolic Bone Disease is a collective term for several debilitating diseases characterized by a deficit (or imbalance) of Calcium in the body. Let's go over the four main categories of MBD.

 

When the right balance of nutrition is not achieved with its diet, Calcium is then pulled from the bone mass which is called Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) or NMBD, Nutritional MBD. 

​

Renal Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (RSHP) or RMBD, Renal MBD, is the result of chronic renal failure. Phosphorus is extracted from the gastrointestinal tract and it's excreted through the kidneys. This excess of phosphorus limits how much calcium can be absorbed from the intestinal tract.

​

Iguanas and other lizards have been reported with a condition called Hypertrophic Osteopathy, or OH, which causes extensive new bone growth, generally in the limbs. Causes are theorized to include a chronically poor appetite, toxins, and neurological malfunction. In humans, 90% of these patients have lung disease. There are no successful treatments in reptiles.

​

Last but not least, we have the well-known Osteoporosis, or OP, which is characterized by thickening of the bones, causing bones to become very dense, destroying the marrow cavity. Once the marrow cavity is destroyed, the animal has difficulty producing red blood cells and becomes anemic. Nerves in the skull become deformed and cause blindness or hearing impairments. Causes of Osteoporosis in reptiles are unknown.

​

SIGNS OF MBD:

• Swollen/broken limbs

• Swollen jaw, or weak jaw that hangs open

• Underbite or overbite

• Humped back/Irregular spine

• Zig-zag tail, especially paired with a humped back

• Shaking, trembling or twitching of the body or extremities

• Complete organ failure

• Mobility issues and difficulty/inability to eat

​

More than one of these signs should be present as individual signs can, and more likely will, be signs of an injury or genetic predisposition. Note that if MBD were to (heaven forbid) occur in your pet, he or she can become healthy again, however only minor damage to the body has a chance of being reversed. If you catch it too late or wait too long to treat it, whatever damage has been caused to his or her bones will be permanent.

 

It is crucial that keepers feed a complete and nutritious, supplemented diet in order to ensure the prevention of MBD or any other vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Gut-load all insects with nutritious foods and water prior to feeding them to your pet -  if you breed any insects yourself or purchase from a supplier who hasn't already.

​

The treatments can be very different, depending on what's wrong with your pet.

 

On the other hand, what about TOO MUCH Calcium? Is this a thing? Of course it is!

 

This is cause for yet another debilitating disease - one that behaves similarly to gout, earning the nickname Pseudogout or Peri-Articular Pseudogout. The difference? Instead of having elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, the sufferer has elevated levels of calcium in their blood (Hypercalcemia), which similarly causes the formation of tophi (though these calcium crystals are cream in colour and surround the joint rather than form inside of them). 

 

Treating CPPD is similar to treating Gout so rehydrate, give fluid therapy, correct any flaws in your husbandry, lighting, and supplementation, and be sure to bring the animal to the vet. Like Articular Gout, it can be very painful and you will want to give them something for the pain and something to help slow or cease the formation of tophi if necessary.

​

​

​

​

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES COMING SOON.

COURTESY OF ECTOTHERMALIA.

​

​

​

​