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my blue tongue has metabolic bone disease
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:09 pm
by angusmandude
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:29 pm
by NomadOfTheHills
Sun, a proper Ca:P ratio, and a good vet.
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:29 pm
by wildlifewarrior
how long have you had him, if he is a baby usually it takes a little while in most animals for mbd to set in, i am not positive how long it takes in blueys. What do you feed him?
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:45 pm
by Blotch
I have a female with MBD and spinal kinks - I don't think there's anything you really can do - in regards to UV light for your bluey - it hasn't been proven that they Need UV - it's nice to give it to them by taking them outside in the sun - but it still hasn't been proven that they need it.
in saying that - UV works with clacium and all that jazz - but if you are using calcium suppliments - once again - the UV shouldn't be a problem.
If there is something that can be done - I wanna see it! I want to see a before and after photo of a bluey that has been treated for mbd and has been been fixed up.
OK!
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:00 pm
by angusmandude
Ok thank you we have started him on a diet that has supulments (insectivore and calsium stuff sorry if i spell something wrong)
We feed him A/D with lots of vegies mixed in and he hasent got in the sun latly as it has been raining!
(Carrots, brocllie, peas and a couple other and all are steamed)
and has both type of lights so i hope he gets well i have herd of blue tongues losing there tail from it! Will it grow back just wondering?
il see if i can post a picture and i will see a Reptile vet he website is:
http://www.davidvella.com.au
Thanks fo rthe hope

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:06 pm
by Blotch
you're an aussie angus???
Yes blueys grow their tails back - but it's never the same as it was from day one!
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:50 pm
by Lisa
David Vella is the best herp vet in Sydney to see by all accounts so I'd definately recommend a visit. If you're in the 'burbs then Robert Johnson at Sth Penrith Vet Clinic is also great (mine go there for their yearly checkup and worming).
MBD in babies is not common - it's a disease that develops over time due to poor diet. Like kids getting rickets in third world countries.
However, babies are sometimes born with little kinks, possibly caused by their position in the womb. They may or may not straighten out over time and don't normally cause problems. A sibling of my alpine was a kinky baby but he seemed fine.
I'd go see Vella. At the very least you'll get some great advice.
P.S. If your heating and diet is not spot on, supplements can sometimes be a bad thing. Too much calcium can be as bad as too little.
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:04 am
by Leigh
Have you read the diet sheet here, it tells you whats best and bad to feed
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:59 am
by Richard.C
i second lisa,babys can be born with kinks ect,also diet of the mum can affect the developing babies inside her,i had a blotch born 2 years ago that couldnt straighten out,tail and lower part of him tucked underneath so couldnt even sit up right,i thought id have to have it euthanised but after a couple of days it started to learn to move about,and was feeding and drinking by its self with in a week,so held off to see what happened,anyways,it was raised indoors for the first winter,and seemed to right it self over time,it hasnt fixed itself,eg still has kinky back and tail,but moves around and seems happy living outside with the rest of the group,i have a soft spot for the little tyke and glad i didnt have to put him down,his siblings are totally normal,so not sure what caused it to be born like that.also,adding calcium and vitimins in there diet is better than using lights on there own,as it hasnt been proven that they benifit bluetongues in regards to calcium absorption,but use of both is probably the go,did u buy your bluey with the bump or kinks u describe,as it could have been born that way ,and it may have nothing to do with mbd,and over use of calcium powder can be as bad or worse than lack of use,so use in moderation,seems to be to young to be showing signs of mbd,as its something that happens over time,do u have a pic of said bluey
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:02 am
by Tigergenesis
Leigh wrote:Have you read the diet sheet here, it tells you whats best and bad to feed
Yes, check out the food charts on the caresheet for info on the better choices to feed your blue.
