I did finally see the pictures.



You said..."if it were mbd, switching to an insectavore diet would help?"...you need to take him to a vet to have tests done to see if its a calcium problem. I can't tell you. There is preformed vitamin A in "meat" products...see below.



However...MBD has to do with calcium balance in the system. Phosphorous, calcium, D3 and vitamin A all play a part in it.

Too much or too little of any of them will result in problems.



Exposure to UVB light (that does not pass through glass or plastic) allows the dragon to produce D3 which allows it to use the calcium in its diet.



Appropriate temperatures help with digestion and thus play a part in nutrients absorbed.



Most of the insects that we use have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous....so dusting them with a phos.-free calcium powder before you feed them to your dragon helps to make up for this.



Gutloading and feeding your insects a nutritious diet will benefit your dragon.



If you use vitamins (like herptivite)which contains a beta carotene source of vitamin A you can ensure that the dragon gets its vitamins without causing a vitamin A overdose. Preformed vitamin A (which comes from animal products or possibly from carnivorous insects) can build up in the system and prevent the D3 from doing its job and lead to MBD. Beef, fish (including tilapia), chicken, pinky mice, etc. all contain preformed vitamin A.



If your dragon only gets UVB from a UVB tube light, then it may need a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder a couple of times a month. D3 from SUPPLEMENTS can also build up in the system...so don't overdo it. BTW...does he sit under the light?



As I said before its important that the phos., calcium, D3 and vitamin A need to be in balance for good bones. When trying to balance it you need to look at what you feed to the insects, to the dragon and what you supplement with.

You asked if they are insectivores...no, they are imnivores.



Tilapia...

"Tilapia is an excellent source of protein, vitamin A, iron and calcium."

http://www.metro.ca/conseil-expert/poissonnier/etal-poissonnier/poissons/poissons-mi-gras/tilapia.en.html



Hope this helps!

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