Back?

[Dakota]

It looks very mild. Google "Blue-Tongued Skink MBD" on image.google.com, and you will see a lot of bad cases.

[donkeybuff]

If he does have MBD, there is no real cure. However, your skink doesn't look like it's unhealthy because of its condition. I think you should just start supplementing D3, which will prevent MBD from progressing.

[Reptile- mad]

This is him on a flat and hard surface. But then again, sometimes he has a bit of a hump. I wonder if when he has the hump he could be breathing hard or something, or aggravated?

[Dakota]

Take a photo like you first posted.. but on a more solid surface.. taking it at different angles can hide the mild MBD.

[Reptile- mad]

His does hide an awful lot and he eats when no one is watching. Are these 'symptoms' of MBD? He doesn't eat a lot what happens if he doesn't eat the D3 supplement.

[Reptile- mad]

Okay this is very pic heavy from a lot of different angles.

[El Lobo]

Reptile-mad, you said your friend's BTS was diagnosed with MBD by a vet and your's has already been seen by a vet without a diagnosis of MBD, why panic? I would take the advice of a qualified vet ahead of random advice offered on an internet forum.

@Dakota - the picture "screams" MBD to you. I hope you are aware that spines are not designed to be rod straight. You might take a look at the placement of the front legs and consider the bluey is on a soft surface before rushing in with a straight line diagnosis. A still photograph will not determine which part of the breathing cycle is in play at the time of the picture and which muscles are expanding as part of that cycle. BTS' do not have a diaphragm but control breathing by muscle expansion/contraction.

I am not saying that there is definitely no MBD, but only that I can't see it based on the presented evidence. I just feel the probability is low.

[Dakota]

My skinks perch up like that all the time, especially when out on my couch, never have I seen a hump.

[Dakota]

Reptile- mad, did he just so a simple exam off of physical features or did he do an x-ray to check for bone formation and density?

[Reptile- mad]

The vet just looked at him.

[donkeybuff]

The hump is there in the second to last picture, but not in the others. I don't think there's any need for worry, just supplement better.

[El Lobo]

Reptile- mad, did he just so a simple exam off of physical features or did he do an x-ray to check for bone formation and density?

Bone density is not measured by a standard X-ray. The method is dual energy x-ray absorptiometry which can differentiate between osteopaenia and osteoporosis.

[Dakota]

The first photo you can see there is starting to be a dip at the base of the tail, also.

I didn't specify which kind of x-ray..

[donkeybuff]

I still don't think there needs to be this much concern over the issue. There may or may not be MBD, but the skink should be fine with good supplementation.

[El Lobo]

I didn't specify which kind of x-ray..

Then the difference between us is I knew about DEXA without having to search on Google.

[Dakota]

Hmm. I don't think I googled anything.

[kl]

With all due respect to the previous opinions, I do not believe this is not MBD. More likely, this is a skink that use to climb the sides of it's enclosure when younger or perhaps still does and developed that slight dip in the lower 3rd of the back which makes the upper back seem raised and the spine at the back legs seem higher. I've had it happen here as well, usually starting when the animal is very young. Depending on how long it went on it is possible that it could revert back to normal or near normal but only if that side climbing activity stops.

KL

[donkeybuff]

Makes sense. Thanks Kim!

[Richard.C]

With all due respect to the previous opinions, I do not believe this is not MBD. More likely, this is a skink that use to climb the sides of it's enclosure when younger or perhaps still does and developed that slight dip in the lower 3rd of the back which makes the upper back seem raised and the spine at the back legs seem higher. I've had it happen here as well, usually starting when the animal is very young. Depending on how long it went on it is possible that it could revert back to normal or near normal but only if that side climbing activity stops.

KL

Spot on kim,often mistaken for mbd but infact not

[Katrina]

Screams it to me..

MBD.png

Feed him dog food, calcium, has UVB, very slight, almost unnoticeable bend... and it 'screams' MBD?? Way to panic poor owners. Also, great to give arm chair advice when you've never dealt with MBD personally.

If you feed dog food, calcium w/ D3 and offer UVB... I've NEVER heard of a bluey having any calcium deficiency issues with those precautions. You can't do anything more to prevent MBD, to think that it would be a calcium deficiency and not a slight bend from climbing the enclosures sides is ridiculous. Please don't waste your money on the vet!