Chapter 43 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System SNAKES Metabolic Bone Disease The most common disease of the musculoskeletal system of snakes is metabolic bone disease (MBD), which is the result of poor diet and husbandry practice. This disease is the result of a dietary deficiency of calcium and/or vitamin D, a negative calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio, or lack of exposure to ultraviolet light. MBD is usually a disease of young, rapidly growing reptiles. Lack of circulating calcium stimulates reabsorption of bone to correct the imbalance and, over time, bones become soft and easily fractured. Diets that lack calcium containing bone are a common cause of MBD (all-meat diets, dog-food diets); for this reason, the disease is infrequent in mice-eating snakes. CLINICAL SIGNS • Deformities of bony structures (head, spine, ribs, etc.) • “Rubber jaw”: soft bones of the mandible and maxilla DIAGNOSIS • Dietary history and physical examination • Radiographs: lack of bone density, stress fractures • Calcium/phosphorus serum levels TREATMENT • Improve diet • Calcium supplementation; calcium glubionate orally or by injection • Parenteral vitamin D • Calcitonin when patient is normocalcemic (calcium levels between 8 and 11 mg/dl) • Cage rest and careful handling to prevent further fractures • Tube feeding if necessary INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS • Because the carnivorous diet of the snake usually provides the proper level of calcium and phosphorus, snakes rarely acquire MBD. • The prognosis for MBD depends on the owner’s ability to treat the reptile on a long-term basis. Neoplasia Osteosarcomas of the mandible and spinal area have been reported in snakes. As with tumors of the integumentary system, the veterinarian must rule out other causes of lumps and bumps before treatment. CLINICAL SIGNS • Firm swelling over a bony surface • +/− Loss of condition DIAGNOSIS • Rule out other causes of lumps and bumps (abscesses, granulomas) • Radiology • Biopsy TREATMENT • Surgical excision • +/− Radiation therapy INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS • The prognosis for this type of tumor is poor. Metastasis may occur. IGUANAS Metabolic Bone Disease MBD is primarily a disease of long-term calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency, a lack of exposure to sunlight, and/or an improper Ca/P ratio. The disease is commonly seen in young, fast-growing reptiles. Over time, a diet low in calcium or lack of vitamin D and sunlight will cause increased bone reabsorption and a weakening of all the bones within the body. Affected animals experience development of pathologic fractures, and healing bone is replaced by fibrous tissue. As a result of their herbivorous dietary requirements (low calcium and high phosphorus levels), iguanas are quite susceptible to MBD. CLINICAL SIGNS • Lack of ability to lift the trunk off the ground when attempting to walk (Fig. 43-1) • Swelling around the long bones of the legs (“Popeye” legs) • Pliable mandible or maxilla • Lameness or reluctance to move • Weight loss • +/− Paralysis Figure 43-1 Evidence of metabolic bone disease in the iguana on the left, compared with the healthy iguana on the right. (From Mader DR: Reptile medicine and surgery, ed 2, St. Louis, 2006, Saunders, by permission.) DIAGNOSIS • Complete blood cell count (CBC), serum chemistries Ca levels less than 8.5 mg/dl Increased P levels Ca/P ratio reversed from normal • History Lack of exposure to sunlight Lack of calcium supplementation in all-herbivorous diet • Insufficient vitamin D3 supplementation Physical examination Radiographs • Transverse fractures of long bones may be present Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Diseases of the Cardiovascular System Hematologic Diseases Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Common Diseases of Companion Animals Aug 31, 2016 | Posted by admin in GENERAL | Comments Off on Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Chapter 43 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System SNAKES Metabolic Bone Disease The most common disease of the musculoskeletal system of snakes is metabolic bone disease (MBD), which is the result of poor diet and husbandry practice. This disease is the result of a dietary deficiency of calcium and/or vitamin D, a negative calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio, or lack of exposure to ultraviolet light. MBD is usually a disease of young, rapidly growing reptiles. Lack of circulating calcium stimulates reabsorption of bone to correct the imbalance and, over time, bones become soft and easily fractured. Diets that lack calcium containing bone are a common cause of MBD (all-meat diets, dog-food diets); for this reason, the disease is infrequent in mice-eating snakes. CLINICAL SIGNS • Deformities of bony structures (head, spine, ribs, etc.) • “Rubber jaw”: soft bones of the mandible and maxilla DIAGNOSIS • Dietary history and physical examination • Radiographs: lack of bone density, stress fractures • Calcium/phosphorus serum levels TREATMENT • Improve diet • Calcium supplementation; calcium glubionate orally or by injection • Parenteral vitamin D • Calcitonin when patient is normocalcemic (calcium levels between 8 and 11 mg/dl) • Cage rest and careful handling to prevent further fractures • Tube feeding if necessary INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS • Because the carnivorous diet of the snake usually provides the proper level of calcium and phosphorus, snakes rarely acquire MBD. • The prognosis for MBD depends on the owner’s ability to treat the reptile on a long-term basis. Neoplasia Osteosarcomas of the mandible and spinal area have been reported in snakes. As with tumors of the integumentary system, the veterinarian must rule out other causes of lumps and bumps before treatment. CLINICAL SIGNS • Firm swelling over a bony surface • +/− Loss of condition DIAGNOSIS • Rule out other causes of lumps and bumps (abscesses, granulomas) • Radiology • Biopsy TREATMENT • Surgical excision • +/− Radiation therapy INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS • The prognosis for this type of tumor is poor. Metastasis may occur. IGUANAS Metabolic Bone Disease MBD is primarily a disease of long-term calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency, a lack of exposure to sunlight, and/or an improper Ca/P ratio. The disease is commonly seen in young, fast-growing reptiles. Over time, a diet low in calcium or lack of vitamin D and sunlight will cause increased bone reabsorption and a weakening of all the bones within the body. Affected animals experience development of pathologic fractures, and healing bone is replaced by fibrous tissue. As a result of their herbivorous dietary requirements (low calcium and high phosphorus levels), iguanas are quite susceptible to MBD. CLINICAL SIGNS • Lack of ability to lift the trunk off the ground when attempting to walk (Fig. 43-1) • Swelling around the long bones of the legs (“Popeye” legs) • Pliable mandible or maxilla • Lameness or reluctance to move • Weight loss • +/− Paralysis Figure 43-1 Evidence of metabolic bone disease in the iguana on the left, compared with the healthy iguana on the right. (From Mader DR: Reptile medicine and surgery, ed 2, St. Louis, 2006, Saunders, by permission.) DIAGNOSIS • Complete blood cell count (CBC), serum chemistries Ca levels less than 8.5 mg/dl Increased P levels Ca/P ratio reversed from normal • History Lack of exposure to sunlight Lack of calcium supplementation in all-herbivorous diet • Insufficient vitamin D3 supplementation Physical examination Radiographs • Transverse fractures of long bones may be present Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Diseases of the Cardiovascular System Hematologic Diseases Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Common Diseases of Companion Animals Aug 31, 2016 | Posted by admin in GENERAL | Comments Off on Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System Full access? Get Clinical Tree
