Soft bone disease occurs in mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Soft bone disease is medically known as metabolic bone disease (MBD)---a general term for diseases that relates to problems with calcium homeostasis or metabolism. MBD is generally thought to be caused by a poor diet that lacks calcium or by some defect in the animal that renders it unable to use calcium.
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Causes
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A diet low in calcium is thought to be the main cause of soft bone disease. In cats and dogs, the ingredients in commercial pet food is partly to blame. Because they use mostly muscle meat, cat and dog foods are low in calcium and phosphorus. Commercial pet foods that use organ meats have even less calcium.
With reptiles and amphibians, improper ultraviolet lighting may contribute to the lack of calcium in their bodies. Those animals need UV rays to activate the vitamin D in their skin, which is necessary for the absorption of dietary calcium. That process can only happen if the animal is in its preferred temperature range. Additionally, the diet being fed to them may have too many other nutrients that block the absorption of calcium.
Symptoms
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Soft bone disease manifests itself more aggressively in young and growing animals. In mammals, the first signs are lameness due to fractures or pain. Eventually, they may be hesitant to move, and the illness may result in bowed legs, especially with cats. Reptiles exhibit similar symptoms. Among turtles, their shells may feel soft or swollen; they too become lethargic.
Diagnosis
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Along with a thorough physical examination, veterinarians can perform radiographs on the bones of pets to find weaknesses and determine if they have MBD. Radiography also helps a vet figure out the severity of the disease. An analysis of the history of the animal's environment and diet also contributes to a diagnosis.
Treatment
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Animals who are far along with the disease will need to be tube fed until it recovers enough to begin eating solid food. The veterinarian then recommends dietary changes and, with reptiles, advice on how to manage the UV lighting in the cage. The vet may also recommend calcium supplements. At home, the animals should be handled as little as possible to prevent possible bone breakage or fractures.
Secondary Ailments
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Along with brittle or softened bones, a lack of calcium or the inability to absorb calcium can result in a host of other problems. Nerve and muscle functions are also affected by calcium deficiencies. In cats especially, calcium deficiency can cause the formation of cataracts and crossed eyes.
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