Glossary · 🩺 Health

Metabolic bone disease

Also called: nutritional osteodystrophy · MBD

Metabolic bone disease is weakening of the skeleton from a dietary imbalance of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D — a common, preventable killer of sugar gliders fed a fruit-heavy, low-calcium diet.

In sugar gliders it shows as weak or dragging hind legs, tremors, fractures and, in advanced cases, seizures. Prevention is a balanced diet with calcium and vitamin D3, plus gut-loaded/dusted insects.

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