A fresh look at metabolic bone diseases in reptiles and amphibians

08december2010
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 2010, volume 13, issue 3
Metabolic bone diseases (MBDs) are a common presenting complaint in reptiles and amphibians to veterinarians; however, understanding of the causes and diagnostic and treatment options is often extrapolated from human or other mammalian medicine models.
Although the roles of UV-B, calcium, phosphorus, and cholecalciferol are better understood in some MBDs, there remain many X factors that are not. Likewise, quantitative diagnosis of MBDs has been difficult not only in terms of staging a disease but also regarding whether or not a condition is present. Treatment options also present challenges in corrective husbandry and diet modifications, medication/modality selection, and dosing/regimen parameters.


Title: A fresh look at metabolic bone diseases in reptiles and amphibians

Author: Klaphake E

Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 2010, volume 13, issue 3