One of the most common diseases in captive lizards is MBD which results from unbalanced diets, lack of ultraviolet light sources and inadequate environmental temperatures. Chronic cases of MBD may develop hypo-calcemia with symptoms of tetany, muscle fasciculations, and eventually coma and death. Another dietary cause of neurologic
symptoms is vitamin B complex deficiencies. This may be seen in herbivorous lizards fed large
amounts of frozen vegetables. Freezing decreases vitamin levels and increases thiaminese activity, resulting in
thiamine (B1)deficiency. Symptoms vary with severity but range from weakness and incoordination, through twitching
and torticollis, and finally to convulsions and death.
Vitamin E and selenium deficiencies are occasionally seen in herbivorous lizards with symptoms of muscle weakness,
fasciculations, and convulsions.
Dehydration and renal pathology can result in gout, causing incoordination and convulsions. Hypoglycemia may result
in convulsions, but this condition is rare in reptiles. A heavy parasite burden can result in weakness, lethargy,
coma and death.
Lizards with septecemia may develop brain abscesses and neurologic symptoms, including convulsions.