Leopard Gecko Health: Metabolic Bone Disease

Background Information

Please read our Disclaimer before reading any further into these common problems. As with any medical problem, we strongly recommend that you immediately contact your veterinarian for assistance.

Common Symptoms

The symptoms exhibited by a leopard gecko will depend on the severity of the problem itself. The most common signs of Metabolic Bone Disease include:

Lethargy
Anorexia
Paresis (weakness) or paralysis.
Intention tremors.
Pathological fractures.
Swollen or distorted limbs.
Softened or rubbery limbs.
Soft facial bones (especially the jaw)
Intestinal prolapses.
Lameness
Reluctance to move.
Scoliosis of the spine.
Renal disease.
Tetanic seizures.
Lack of growth or weight gain.
Gradual weight loss.
Seizures, muscle spasms and/or tremors.

It is important to note that Metabolic Bone Disease can affect each leopard gecko differently so the symptoms may vary from gecko to gecko.

Possible Causes

As with many other problems encountered with leopard geckos, there could be a wide range of possible contributing factors that you and your vet will work through and start to eliminate. By far, the most common cause is improper husbandry. The more common causes could include:

Calcium and/or vitamin D3 deficient diets.
Negative Calcium : Phosphorus ratio

Vitamin D3 metabolism can also lead to Metabolic Bone Disease. This can be caused by:

Kidney problems.
Liver problems.
Intestinal problems.
Thyroid or parathyroid disease.

Metabolic Bone Disease is commonly seen in rapidly growing reptiles whose bodies tend to have a much higher need for calcium. It is also common in insectivores such as leopard geckos because most feeder insects have a negative Calcium : Phosphorus ratio. This is why all feeder insects should be fed a calcium-rich diet 2-4 days prior to being used as food. You should also be using an appropriate supplementation regime as well.

Diagnostic Techniques

There are many different diagnostics techniques available to determine the presence and severity of MBD. The most appropriate technique will depend on various circumstances and the results of other testing that may have been carried out.

The most common techniques include:

Complete physical examination.
Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry practices.
Radiographs
Blood work.

Treatment Options

Ultimately the most appropriate therapeutic plan will depend on the cause and severity of the problem. If left untreated, Metabolic Bone Disease can be fatal. When it is caught early enough and treated aggressively, many reptiles can recover. Obviously the more mild the case, the quicker the leopard gecko can recover although it is not uncommon for the recovery period for more severe cases to take upwards of 6 months.

Common treatment options could include:

Handle the gecko very carefully. Because the bones tend to be brittle and the gecko may be predisposed to fractures resulting from MBD, it is imperative that you do not handle your gecko except for treatment.
Remove all climbing surfaces.
Strict cage rest.
House the affected leopard gecko individually.
Correct any underlying medical conditions such as dehydration and fractures.
Ensure the provision of proper nutrition and husbandry practices.
Calcium supplementation. Calcium glubionate is often given for 1-3 months orally for those patients that are alert and active. If they are not alert and active, Calcium gluconate is often given via injections.
Vitamin D injections are commonly given once per week for 2 treatments with the understanding that this may enhance the uptake of calcium.
Administration of Calcitonin if the gecko is normocalcemic.
Treatment and management of any fractures that may be present.
Recheck the weight weekly and assist feed if the gecko is losing weight. Once the gecko is eating properly, gaining weight and the symptoms are starting to disappear (usually from 1 to 3mths after treatment begins), many vets will start to decrease and eliminate the Calcium glubionate.

When dealing with medical problems, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.

Still Confused Or Concerned?

If you would like more information or further assistance, or just want to chat some more about leopard geckos, please feel free to post on the Reptile Rescue, Canada Leopard Gecko Forum!