Metabolic Bone Disease in Leopard Geckos

The leopard gecko is one of the most popular reptiles in the world. They are known for being easy to care for and docile nature. If you have recently petted a leopard gecko in captivity, you must know that Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is one of the most common diseases affecting leopard geckos in captivity. It can cause serious health problems for them.

This is a serious disease that affects reptiles and especially Leopard geckos. As a result, if the gecko is showing symptoms of MBD in the last 6 to 12 months and does not get treatment for it, then it may be fatal for the leopard gecko.

I would strongly suggest that if you are a new gecko owner and don't know the meaning of MBD in leopard gecko, what its symptoms are, and how it is treated then you should read the whole article in order to get a better understanding of MBD in leopard gecko.

MBD is a highly complicated medical condition that affects the skeletal structure of your leopard gecko. It is a common medical disorder that is often seen in leopard geckos. It usually affects bone metabolism, locomotion, and essential daily functions of leopard geckos.

It is preventable and curable and is mainly caused by calcium deficiency, which is one of the main causes of this disease.

Signs of Metabolic Bone Disease in Leopard Geckos

It is extremely crucial for the owners of Leopard geckos to know the early signs of MBD in geckos to get their animals treated in the early stages of the disorder because, in the early stages of MBD, it does not harm the animals much, but when the condition becomes serious, it can be fatal to them.

Below are some early signs that leopard geckos are showing signs of MBD.

  • Becomes lethargy,
  • Becomes stressful,
  • Legs or arms are becoming too thin or easily broken,
  • The limbs become swollen,
  • A crooked back develops,
  • Having difficulty lifting the chest from the ground,
  • Having no appetite,
  • Constipation,
  • Inability to maintain an upright posture or coordination problems,
  • Becomes paralyzed,
  • Soft jawbones,
  • The movements are jerky and shaky,
  • The energy level drops,
  • Having difficulty catching prey,
  • Vertebrae that are distorted,
  • Poor growth and development have been observed etc.

Causes of Metabolic Bone Disease in Leopard Geckos

As you know in leopard geckos, MBD is one of the most common diseases that can affect them. As long as the owners of Leopard geckos understand the causes of MBD in Leopard geckos, they will be able to protect their animals from suffering from the disease in the future. so it is important to know the causes of MBD in Leopard geckos.

Below are some of the causes of MBD in leopard geckos.

Due to a lack of calcium in their bodies

In the gecko body, calcium is an essential nutrient for bone and tooth formation. The leopard gecko's body needs a balance of calcium in the blood and bones for the muscles to function and the bones and teeth to strengthen. When the leopard gecko's diet lacks calcium, they suffer from MBD disease.

Due to a lack of Vitamin D3 in their bodies

Your leopard gecko needs to have vitamin D3 to metabolize calcium. Even if you are providing them with a well-balanced diet full of minerals but vitamin D3 is too low, calcium absorption will not take place in their bodies and then they are suffering from MBD.

Due to the low temperature of the habitat

As you know Leopard geckos are cold-blooded animals. This means they are entirely dependent on the temperature in their habitat, so if they aren't supplied with the right amount of heat, it means that they are unable to absorb the nutrients in their diet, such as calcium, and consequently they suffer from diseases like Metabolic Bone Disease.

Due to an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus

The body of a leopard gecko requires a certain amount of minerals in order to function properly, and some of these minerals are calcium and phosphorus. If too much phosphorus is present in the diet, it can interfere with calcium absorption in the leopard gecko. When the leopard gecko diet does not contain enough calcium to phosphorus, leopard geckos can develop the disease MBD.

If there is too much phosphorus in the leopard gecko's diet, it can cause a condition known as hyperphosphatemia.

Prevention of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) in Leopard Geckos

Many leopard gecko owners are concerned about protecting their beloved pets from MBD. However, fear not, below we provide you with some tips to prevent your leopard gecko from contracting this disease.

  • You should provide them with gut-loading insects to make sure that their calcium levels stay high as well as dust their food with calcium supplements to make sure that they do not suffer from calcium deficiencies.
  • To ensure that they get enough vitamin D3, it is recommended that you give them UVB rays for 12 to 14 hours a day and you avoid placing their tank directly in front of direct sunlight.
  • Ensure that your geckos are receiving a balanced diet consisting of butter worms, crickets, waxworms, and calcium and mineral supplements at all times.
  • Make sure that their habitat is kept clean at all times and that they have access to water at all times.
  • Your gecko habitat should be kept at a temperature between 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for your gecko to digest its food properly.

Treatment of MBD in Leopard Gecko

Whenever you suspect that your leopard gecko is suffering from MBD, you should immediately take action to treat it.

If you suspect early symptoms of MBD in your leopard gecko, you simply need to change the lizard's diet by adding calcium supplements to it. Make sure that your environment is always clean and that you give your leopard gecko some attention as well.

If your leopard gecko is suffering from severe cases of MBD, you should consult your leopard gecko with the veterinarian. The veterinarian may take your leopard gecko's blood sample and check its calcium level. They may also take X-rays to determine the structure of their skeleton.

How long does it take for my Leopard Gecko to recover from MBD?

In leopard geckos, there is no specific recovery time for MBD; it depends completely on the owner of the leopard gecko. If you treat your leopard gecko early enough, your gecko will recover faster. If you do not treat your leopard gecko early enough, your gecko will take longer to recover. Furthermore, you must make sure your leopard gecko is kept in a clean environment at all times, and also eat a balanced diet with calcium supplements for fast recovery.

Is it possible that MBD can kill leopard geckos?

Yes, it is possible that MBD can kill your leopard gecko if you do not provide the gecko with treatment within the early stages.

A leopard gecko with MBD is suffering from a slowly degenerative disease that is slowly destroying its bones, organs, and body systems.