Bearded Dragon Seizures!!!

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Swigmo

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Hello,
I currently own a bearded dragon that is around 7 months of age, she started having seizures where she shakes out of control and sometimes has stoped breathing for a moment. This is scary to watch as it is out of my control and it happens at any time. She is not used to me yet, so my presence just adds more stresse. She is currently in a 40 gallon with paper substrate (after vet recommended I replaced my sand carpet). She has a Zoo Med 26061 Reptisun 10.0 T5-Ho Uvb 24W Fluorescent Lamp with a heating bulb that is around 5 inches away from her basking spot. It gets around 95 degrees. As soon as I found out she was having seizures I rushed out to the vet and I replaced the uvb light. They did a blood test on her and also gave me some calcium/food supplements that I had to insert in her mouth to make sure she was receiving her nutrients and some additional calcium. After a week of doing this, she is sill having small seizures where she opens her mouth uncontrollably and sometimes her tongue comes out of her mouth. Since the seizures her tail and beard are always black. The vet gave me a call to tell me the results of the blood test and all she said was that " her calcium levels are medium, they could be worst but they are not the best" she said to continue the treatment for 2 weeks and see if they end. Prior to the seizures I had never dusted her food and the only veggie she ate were Bell peppers (red orange yellow). The vet said she does not look to have MBD because her bones look strong. Is there anything I can do to make this process faster? Thank you for reading and I hope you all can help.
 

Claudiusx

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hi there,

How scary for you!

If you can, please post the full blood test results so we can see them.You paid for them, so your vet should be more than willing to give them to you.

The reptisun 10.0 t5 is a good bulb. You said you replaced it. I imagine you mean you just bought a new one incase the old one was old? How far away is the reptisun from the basking site? And is it ontop of a screen top?
If you could post pictures of your setup and your dragon that would be great.

Did the vet test for ADV? Seizures can be caused by a lack of calcium, a lack of another (multiple) nutrients, and by ADV to name a few. But those are the most common causes.

Have you had her for her whole life?
If you never dusted it would definitely be a good idea to be giving her extra calcium. Blood calcium levels can be misleading, as the body can leach calcium from the bones to keep the blood levels in balance. Was an Xray preformed to check bone density? You really can't tell that a dragon doesn't have MBD without an Xray. Of course in worse cases of MBD it's very obvious, but a lot of times, bones can get paper thin without any real signs showing.

-Brandon
 

Swigmo

New member
Original Poster
Yes I got a new UVB bulb and replaced the old one, there is a screen that is in between the light and the bearded dragon. I will ask my vet for those papers and will get back to you, I am not sure if she tested for ADV. She did not get any x-rays done. Also, I have had this bearded dragon for 6 of the months she was alive (I did not owner her for her first month). I will take pictures of the set up and post them asap. Thank you for your help!
 

Claudiusx

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Ok thanks for the extra details.

As long as the t5 is around 8 inches or so from the basking site, it is ok being ontop of the mesh. If it's further than that though you might want to raise the basking site or move it inside the tank.

The blood results will help a lot. The vet most likely would have mentioned if they tested for ADV so they probably didn't.

-Brandon
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

How is your dragon doing today? The enclosure looks nice & bright!
The seizures take awhile to completely go away. Low blood calcium doesn't instantly
increase, but gradually. What kind of calcium are you giving him, do you have a picture
of what the vet has given for you?
Does he have you giving the calcium twice daily?
Give it a little bit of time, & hopefully with the addition of the new light & calcium she will
start getting better.

Let us know how she is doing.
Tracie
 
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