General Care Discussion :: Metabolic Bone Disease....symptoms?

[MenTalTerYn]

Was just wondering what the symptoms are of MBD, what it does, and is it lethal? My turtle has a pretty soft shell, too soft IMO, he refuses cuttlebone, but soon im going to crush the cuttlebone, roll wet reptomin pellets in it and let it dry, he eats them up pretty quick.

[cam722]

There's a lot of info on various diseases etc on the main website..

http://redearslider.com/index_health_1.html#mbd

[marisa]

It's a fairly common disease in young aquatics. You can crush up the cuttlebone, but unless he's got adequate Vit D3 (from a UVB light and diet), he won't be able to absorb the calcium.

MBD is painful and lethal if not treated.

How big is your turtle (shell length without the curve) and what are you feeding him, how much and how often? Does he have a UVB light?