
Steps To Prevent Metabolic Bone Disease
- Diet. Regarding the diet for beardies with MDB, you had better feed your beardie organic baby food in the form of pureed chicken, squash, or pumpkin.
- Temperatures. Another solution for treating mbd is adjusting the tank temperatures with a hot side (basking spot) and a cool side in the tank so that your beardie will ...
- UVB. ...
- Room To Move. ...
- Cactus leaves and prickly pear.
- Chicory.
- Dandelion leaves (ensure they are pesticide-free)
- Endive.
- Escarole.
- Figs (although they have moderate oxalates, they are high in calcium)
- Mustard greens.
- Papaya.
What safe food can I give to my bearded dragons?
What Veggies Are Suitable For Feeding A Bearded Dragon?
- Peas
- Green beans
- Courgette
- Yellow squash
- Butternut squash
- Acorn squash
- Sweet potato
- Peppers
- Ocra
- Broccoli (small pieces every week)
What is the best thing to feed a bearded dragon?
What Vegetables to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon?
- Artichoke Heart
- Bell Pepper
- Orca
- Butternut Squash
- Celery
- Mustard Greens
- Yellow Squash
- Carrots
- Bok Choy
- Sweet Potato
What is the best diet for my bearded dragon?
The Best Guide To Bearded Dragon Nutrition
- Age Matters. ...
- Available Insects. ...
- Favorite Insects. ...
- Feeding Veggies To Your Bearded Dragon. ...
- Bearded Dragon Safety Concerns. ...
- Hydration For Your Bearded Dragon. ...
- Important Vitamins And Minerals For Your Bearded Dragon. ...
- Vitamin A And Bearded Dragons. ...
- Bearded Dragons, Calcium And Vitamin D3. ...
- Iron For Your Bearded Dragon. ...
What fruits can bearded dragons 'actually' eat?
What Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
- Apple
- Banana
- Blackberry
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Mango
- Peach
- Pears
- Strawberry
- Kiwi

How do I save my bearded dragon from MBD?
While MBD is one of the most common illnesses we see in beardies, it's also one of the most preventable. Simply making sure that your tiny dinosaur is eating a good nourishing diet, and ensuring that he has the proper lighting in his habitat, will usually be enough to ward off this painful and debilitating disease.
How long do bearded dragons with MBD live?
The key term here is proper care. Otherwise, they can live short, miserable, captive lives and would be better off taking their chances against their natural predators. Wild bearded dragons tend to live 7 years, give or take a year.
How long does it take to reverse MBD?
The extra calcium immediately boosts your squirrel's calcium levels, but to actually cure MBD, your squirrel must also rebuild his bones. This means fixing the diet to include all the important vitamins, minerals, and protein. This takes a long time--usually at least 6 months to a year.
Can a bearded dragon come back from MBD?
6:479:42Metabolic Bone Disease in Bearded Dragons - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUnfortunately. You can't fix it the damage has already been done however you can prevent it fromMoreUnfortunately. You can't fix it the damage has already been done however you can prevent it from getting worse by fixing their environment.
Can you reverse metabolic bone disease?
Reptiles affected generally respond well to treatment, and a large proportion of patients see a reversal of many of the less severe symptoms and are able to make a solid recovery. For more extreme cases, complete reversal of symptoms is unlikely, but recovery may still be possible with veterinary intervention.
How do you treat metabolic bone disease in reptiles?
Most cases of MBD can be treated. Treatment often involves splinting or casting broken bones. Calcium supplements by injection or orally (by mouth) will be necessary. In some cases antibiotics and fluids by injection may be required.
Can reptiles recover from metabolic bone disease?
A reptile that is only mildly affected by metabolic bone disease will usually completely recover with dietary improvements, calcium and vitamin D supplements, and greater access to full-spectrum ultraviolet light.
Can a lizard recover from MBD?
However, there is often some bone remodeling that occurs as the lizard regains use of the limbs. This may take quite some time to occur. Once an animal has recovered from MBD and its diet and husbandry have been appropriately corrected, it should be able to completely recover and live a long, healthy life.
Can you give a bearded dragon a calcium bath?
Bearded dragon calcium baths This would be recommended only if the bearded dragon has hydration or calcium deficiency issues. Both of which can only be diagnosed by a vet via blood-tests and a physical examination, not by a social media recommendation only.
How do I give my bearded dragon calcium?
Leafy greens are a great source of calcium for bearded dragons, especially the following options: Cactus pad, or prickly pear. Collard greens. Dandelion leaves....Other foods that can boost your dragon's calcium intake:Blackberries.Figs.Papaya.Squash.Sweet potatoes.
Does metabolic bone disease hurt?
In clinical terms, metabolic bone diseases may result in bone pain and loss of height (due to compression of vertebrae), and they predispose patients to fractures.
What can you give a bearded dragon for pain?
Opiods are commonly used to provide pain relief in veterinary and human medicine. Recent studies have shown that tramadol is an effective pain relief medication for most reptiles. It is generally used at 5-10mg/kg once or twice daily (dependent on species).
How long does it take for a bearded dragon to develop MBD?
Sadar finds that juvenile reptiles are the most likely suspects for MBD, and sometimes, it takes owners a long time – two to three months after purchasing their pets – to visit a veterinarian.
How long do Hypo bearded dragons live?
How Long Bearded Dragons Live in Captivity? Generally speaking, bearded dragons that are kept in healthy conditions will live between 8 and 12 years.
How long did your bearded dragon live?
Pet Bearded Dragons live for between eight and twelve years. Wild species have a shorter lifespan of five to eight years because of factors such as predation, food scarcity and droughts.
How long do bearded dragons last?
Wild bearded dragons typically live 5 to 8 years. Pet bearded dragons often live 8 to 12 years.
How to help a bearded dragon?
Silkworms. Make sure your bearded dragon gets enough water. Proper hydration helps the dragon’s body absorb calcium, Vitamin D3, and other important nutrients. Ask your vet how much water is recommended for your bearded dragon’s situation, and make sure the water bowl isn’t too deep. Remove hazards from the cage.
Why do bearded dragons need calcium?
Because of the prevalence of metabolic bone disease among pet bearded dragons, it's important to provide a daily calcium supplement like our Reptile Greens & Calcium Powder to ensure your reptile is getting the nutrients he needs.
Why is my bearded dragon weak?
Due to the bone, muscle, and tissue damage caused by metabolic bone disease, the affected bearded dragon becomes weak and deformed. Left untreated, MBD can end in death.
What is the disease of the bearded dragon?
Metabolic bone disease, commonly called MBD, is actually the name of several disorders that affect a bearded dragon’s skeletal structure. Also known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism or fibrous osteodystrophy, MBD is often caused by one or more of the following:
How to tell if your dragon has MBD?
Early signs of MBD include: Lack of appetite. Lethargy and weakness. Stress. Constipation. These symptoms can actually be caused by many problems, like gut impaction. So if these are the only symptoms your dragon is exhibiting, remember it may not be metabolic bone disease.
What happens when calcium is low in dragons?
When calcium is low, the dragon’s body starts pulling calcium from the bones and other places in an attempt to compensate for the deficit. The results are devastating. Bone and muscle damage. Lack of calcium causes the bones to become soft and easily breakable, while the muscles start to lose their ability to contract.
How hot should a dragon tank be at night?
Nighttime should be a lot cooler in the tank than in the day—ranging from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
What kind of insects do bearded dragons eat?
Most likely, you’ll end up choosing one of the big three. Crickets, dubia roaches, or black soldier fly larvae are by far the most common choices of primarty feeder insects for bearded dragons. Between crickets and roaches, we strongly prefer roaches ( you can see why here in our comparison article ).
How often should a baby beardie eat live insects?
Baby beardies (up to about 6 months in age) should get live feeder insects one to three times per day, every day. This is when they are growing the fastest ( for a detailed review of just how big your beardie will get, see our article here ). Therefore, this is when they need the most protein.
What is the best food to eat for baby food?
Processed human food – Outside of pureed apple or pumpkin baby food, stay away from anything that comes in a can, box, or jar. Stick to fresh produce, fruits, and live feeder insects. Lettuce – This includes iceberg, loose-leaf, green, butter, and red. Lettuce, on the whole, is almost devoid of nutrients.
Do bearded dragons eat the same thing every day?
They start to treat them like little people instead of captive wild animals. While you or I would get bored eating the same thing every day, your bearded dragon does not. They are perfectly happy eating the same exact thing every single day. Bacardi never every gets tired of roaches….
Can a bearded dragon be vegan?
Another important point is that your beardie is an omnivore. It cannot be a vegetarian or vegan. Period, end of story. If you are not comfortable feeding your beardie live feeder insects then you should not have a bearded dragon. Beardie’s need a live protein source several times a week. And yes, it needs to be live.
Is lettuce good for beardie?
Lettuce, on the whole, is almost devoid of nutrients. If your beardie fills up on lettuce, they will not get the nutrients they need to be healthy. Choose more nutrient-dense and healthier greens. Mushrooms – Specifically portabella mushrooms, but all of them are a bad idea.
Can you buy organic bearded dragons?
Because of the small size of bearded dragons, we recommend buying organic if you can. Even the smallest amount of pesticide could cause problems for your beardie. If organic isn’t an option, make sure to wash your produce well before serving it to your bearded dragon. Acorn squash.
Is Bearded Dragon MBD Curable?
While there is no complete cure for MBD, and it may recur throughout your pet’s life, it is not necessarily a death sentence. If you address MBD symptoms early, you will have a much better chance of bringing your pet relief and completely reversing symptoms.
What Is Bearded Dragon MBD?
Metabolic bone disease is an extreme calcium and possibly also a vitamin D3 deficiency.
Final Thoughts
Yes, metabolic bone disease in a bearded dragon is curable if caught and addressed early enough.
Signs of MBD in Bearded Dragons
It’s important to understand the symptoms of metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons so you can notify your veterinarian right once if you notice any.
How do we diagnose MBD?
MBD is diagnosed mostly by symptoms and discussion of husbandry, but it can also be confirmed through x-rays and bloodwork.
What to Do if Your Bearded Dragon has Metabolic Bone Disease
Here are some things you can do to care for your sick dragon and help them recover as quickly as possible.