They are useful in determining the degree to which bone loss has occurred, and are helpful in assessing the efficacy of treatment. As mentioned earlier, calcium deficiency is just one type of metabolic bone disease. What follows is a brief description of the most commonly seen metabolic bone diseases. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease well known in humans as well as in certain captive animals. This is a thinning of the bone matrix as more calcium is resorbed into the blood than is deposited into the bone.
Bones become brittle, light, and easily broken.
Osteomalacia This is softening of the bone and decreased bone density due to decreased mineralization. The body tries to compensate by depositing bone material at the sites of greatest tension. Folding fractures and bowed bones are common. Rickets Rickets is similar to osteomalacia, and occurs in the young. The differences are most noticeable in x-rays as it affects the bones in different ways.