Everything You Need To Know About Mbd In Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet lizards, but they can develop health issues like metabolic bone disease (MBD) if not cared for properly. MBD is a serious condition that affects their bones and mobility, so it’s important for leopard gecko owners to understand what causes it and how to prevent it.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: MBD in leopard geckos is caused by an improper diet that lacks sufficient calcium, vitamin D3, and phosphorus. It can be prevented through proper supplements, UVB lighting, a balanced diet, and suitable tank conditions.

MBD causes weak and deformed bones and can be fatal if left untreated.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about MBD in leopard geckos. You’ll learn about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of metabolic bone disease so you can keep your pet gecko healthy and thriving.

What is Metabolic Bone Disease in Leopard Geckos?

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a condition seen in reptiles like leopard geckos where their bones become fragile and easily fractured due to nutritional deficiencies. It is an extremely serious disease that pet owners must be aware of to keep their geckos healthy.

Definition and overview of MBD

MBD occurs when leopard geckos lack proper vitamins and minerals, especially calcium and vitamin D3, preventing their bodies from metabolizing and depositing calcium into the bones. Over time, this leads to soft, brittle bones that fracture or deform easily under pressure or weight.

MBD can cause symptoms like rubbery jaws, limping, tremors, and bumps along the spine.

Common causes of MBD in leopard geckos

The main causes of MBD stem from improper nutrition and inadequate heating:

Lack of calcium supplementation or multivitamins containing D3
All mealworm diet, as mealworms have a poor calcium:phosphorus ratio
No UVB lighting for vitamin D3 production alongside calcium intake
Insufficient tank heating preventing proper feed digestion and nutrient absorption

Ensuring leopard geckos get a varied diet with proper supplements and access to overhead heating and UVB prevents metabolic bone disease. Catching MBD early via signs like a “rubbery” jaw makes treatment easier before deformities occur. With attentive care, geckos can live full, healthy lives.

Stay tuned for tips on ideal setups and care!

Signs and Symptoms of MBD in Leopard Geckos

Physical symptoms

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) can cause a variety of physical symptoms in leopard geckos. Here are some of the most common:

Soft, rubbery legs – A major symptom of MBD is weak and flexible front and back legs that bend easily. This is caused by a lack of calcium preventing proper bone development.
Swollen joints – With advanced MBD, joints can become enlarged and swollen looking. This occurs when bones become malformed and fuse together abnormally.
Bumpy spine – In severe cases, bumps and swellings can appear along the spine as calcium deposits form at areas of bone damage.
Curled toes – Toes can become rigidly curled or bent as improperly developed bones cause deformities in the feet.
Shortened jaws – Insufficient calcium can cause the lower jaw to become shortened and undershot.
Constipation – Weakened muscles and nerve damage from MBD can slow down digestion, leading to constipation.

Young, growing leopard geckos are most prone to developing physical deformities from MBD. However, mature geckos can also be impacted if they have a history of poor nutrition and lack of calcium and vitamin D3.

Behavioral changes

In addition to physical symptoms, MBD can cause leopard geckos to exhibit unusual behaviors such as:

Difficulty walking – Geckos with rubbery legs and swollen joints from MBD will have trouble climbing and moving normally.
Loss of appetite – Severe calcium deficiency often causes sick geckos to lose interest in eating.
Lethargy – Geckos with advanced MBD tend become extremely docile, weak and unresponsive due to poor health.
Twitching – Nerve damage from MBD may cause random muscle twitching and spasms.
Trouble shedding – Weakened muscles can prevent proper shedding in geckos with MBD.

Behavioral changes tend to occur in later stages of MBD after physical symptoms are already present. However, lethargy and loss of appetite can also be the first subtle signs noticed by owners in geckos with early MBD.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, many symptoms of MBD can be reversed if caught early enough. But severe physical deformities may be permanent. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of the signs of MBD and take preventative steps like dusting feeder insects with calcium and D3 supplements.

A great resource is this Reptiles Magazine article discussing MBD causes and care.

Preventing Metabolic Bone Disease in Leopard Geckos

Proper diet and supplements

A nutritionally complete diet is crucial for preventing metabolic bone disease (MBD) in leopard geckos. Their diet should consist primarily of insects like crickets, mealworms, waxworms and roaches, all of which are great sources of calcium and phosphorus.

Supplementing with calcium (with or without D3) and multivitamins 2-3 times a week is also essential. Top calcium supplements include Repashy’s Calcium Plus and Zoo Med’s Repti Calcium with D3. Avoid oversupplementing as this can cause health issues.

UVB lighting

Proper UVB lighting that spans the length of the enclosure is vital so leos can synthesize vitamin D3 for calcium metabolism. The two best UVB bulb options are mercury vapor bulbs like the Exo Terra Solar Glo and linear fluorescent UVB bulbs such as the Zoo Med T5 HO.

Make sure to replace bulbs every 6-12 months as their UVB output declines over time. Complementing overhead UVB with calcium +D3 supplementation is ideal.

Ideal tank setup and temperature

Leopard geckos thrive at temperatures of 88-92°F during the day. An under tank heater on one side of the habitat provides a heat gradient so they can self-regulate their body temperature. Heating mats like VIVOSUN’s reptile mat work well.

Make sure geckos have a warm hide box on the heated side and a cooler hide box on the opposite side. Ideal tank substrates that hold heat and are easy to clean include non-adhesive shelf liner or textured ceramic tile. Avoid loose substrates like sand as leos can ingest them when catching prey.

Exercise and enrichment

Allowing leopard geckos regular opportunities to walk and climb outside their tank is vital exercise for joint and bone health. Create a leo-safe play pen using a plastic kiddie pool, storage bin or empty bathtub lined with hides, branches, tunnels and ramps for environmental enrichment.

Handling and supervised playtime outside the enclosure 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week is an easy way to prevent obesity and MBD. Make sure handling sessions are low-stress with proper hand support as falls can cause fractures.

Treating Metabolic Bone Disease in Leopard Geckos

Veterinary Care

If you suspect your leopard gecko has early stages of MBD or a mild case, making an appointment with an exotic veterinarian who specializes in reptiles is crucial for getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan (1).

The vet will likely do a physical exam, assess symptoms, take X-rays to check for bone density issues, and run blood tests to check calcium and vitamin D3 levels. Based on test results, the vet can determine the severity of MBD and provide prescribed supplements and diet adjustments.

For more advanced cases involving deformed bones or paralysis, additional supportive treatments like setting broken bones with casts, providing hydration injections under the skin, or hand feeding geckos until their appetite returns may be necessary.

According to veterinarians, even geckos with severe MBD lasting months or years can make a turnaround with intense veterinary therapy (2). However, relapses may occur if improper husbandry and diets continue post-treatment.

At-Home Care and Recovery

The most vital at-home care for a gecko with early MBD is adjusting the diet and environment per the exotic vet’s instructions to get calcium and vitamin D3 levels back to normal. Key diet changes usually involve dusting prey items (live insects) more frequently with calcium + D3 supplements and feeding a proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio with optimized feeding frequency for the gecko’s age (3).

You’ll also need to carefully monitor the temperature gradient inside the tank since MBD geckos have difficulty regulating body temperature.

For geckos recovering from more advanced MBD, caretakers need to provide supportive recovery care like assisted feeding, housing adjustments to make movement easier, and physical therapy exercises if prescribed by the vet.

Depending on MBD severity, full recoveries can take many weeks up to several months (4). Patience and persistence with specialized therapy and diet changes are vital. With proper treatment, most geckos with MBD can manage the condition and live full, active lives.

References:

Conclusion

Metabolic bone disease is common but preventable if leopard gecko owners are armed with the right information. By feeding a balanced diet with proper supplements, providing UVB lighting, and maintaining ideal tank conditions, MBD can be avoided.

Catching symptoms early and seeking vet care gives leopard geckos the best chance at recovery. With dedicated care and attention to their health, leopard geckos can live happy lives free of metabolic bone disease.

We hope this guide gave you a thorough understanding of the causes, prevention, symptoms and treatment of MBD in leopard geckos. The key is being a responsible and informed owner who provides proper nutrition, lighting, enrichment and veterinary care.

If you notice any signs of MBD in your pet, have them seen by an exotic vet right away. With proper prevention and early intervention, leopard geckos can bounce back from metabolic bone disease.

Everything You Need To Know About Mbd In Leopard Geckos