Swollen foot

JackDaniels304 · Aug 16, 2016

I'm a new bearded dragon owner and have much to learn. I have 2 baby beardies at home that are doing well. The beardie I'm posting about is older and resides in a classroom at the school I work at. She was cared for by a student during the summer and she came back in ok condition. About 2 days after school started, I noticed her right rear foot seemed swollen, with 1 or 2 noticeable lumps that are somewhat hard, and her 2 first toes are crooked. Upon turning her over, I noticed a very hard lump underneath her foot but I'm not sure if it's a part of her or something stuck so I didn't pull on it. Her behavior seems normal other than the fact she doesn't like the swollen foot messed with much. I soaked it in warm water and used a soft toothbrush to lightly rub, but she was eventually irritated so I have since left her alone. Ive attached images of the foot. Any similar experiences and help are much appreciated. Thank you!

SpacialCoogs · Aug 16, 2016

That is nasty. The swelling could be gout, I don't have a lot of experience with it so I defer to someone else.

That toe is a problem, it looks like it's going to fall off. I would highly recommend taking to a vet. There is nothing normal about that.

AHBD · Aug 16, 2016

Hi there....it's definitely infected and it looks like some type of black nail -like object is protruding, am I seeing that correctly ? She should be seen by an experienced reptile vet , might need antibiotics and possibly some type of treatment for the foot. In the mean time,you might soak the foot in betadine watered down to look like iced tea. Hope you can get her feeling better !

JackDaniels304 · Aug 16, 2016

I don't mean to be rude, but it's obvious that an animal in this condition should be taken to a vet, right? Were she mine, she would have already been taken care of. More than likely she would have never ended up in this condition. I have a feeling she has been neglected. I've been trying to convince responsible parties that something has to be done asap. Thank you AHBD for your recommendation. hopefully I can atleast make her more comfortable. I really can't imagine what that would be protruding from her foot. I wanted to pull it out but I won't risk hurting her more. I wish I knew what she's been through this summer

Hoping for the best! Thanks again!

SpacialCoogs · Aug 16, 2016

I wouldn't pull it out either. What if it's bone?

Yes the responsible party should have to pay for its vet bills and all animal contact suspended. It's up to you whether to call the humane society on them.

My opinion is this is abuse.

kingofnobbys · Aug 16, 2016

Well. I WONT MINCE WORDS. I'LL CALL IT AS I SEE IT. When I saw those images I SAW RED !!!

The mongrel / ***** who had this VERY UNFORTUNATE DRAGON needs to be prosecuted for animal abuse and animal cruelty.

I don't care what their excuses are , that animal has been allowed to suffer and an OBVIOUSLY SERIOUS injury to it's foot has been IGNORED.

THIS PERSON SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED to ACCESS pets EVER AGAIN.

That beardied dragon needs to be rehomed and provided proper vetarinary care IMMEDIATELY - I mean TODAY !! not ASAP or when money can found (the costs of this SHOULD BE TAKEN FROM the BAD ABUSIVE carer (in this case the parents) through the courts).

JackDaniels304 · Aug 17, 2016

U don't even know how irritating it all really is! Long story short, she's been at the school for 2 years and I've been trying to convince them for a year to give this poor girl a better home. I have provided almost all replacement bulbs, crickets, and sand out of pocket. And thats just the half of it. Anyway, the teacher had still done absolutely nothing, UGH, so I talked with my administrator and convinced him that something HAS to be done. It's a ridiculous process to get the funds cleared by the school district, but he's going to cover it himself in the mean time. Phew! No specializing vets in town, unfortunately, but she's finally going to get care. I wonder if we would be able to hold the student accountable, though, as the symptoms didn't show up until a day or 2 later. The sand was disgusting and I cleaned everything immediately after the pictures, maybe the obvious neglect will be enough to prove something.

I used all your responses as support when speaking with administration and I think it really opened their eyes, so I owe you all a big thank you! I'm confident they will now trust me when I say she needs a real home!

SpacialCoogs · Aug 17, 2016

Keep us updated. This is a terrible situation.

kingofnobbys · Aug 17, 2016

JackDaniels304":ihpewcnj said:
U don't even know how irritating it all really is! Long story short, she's been at the school for 2 years and I've been trying to convince them for a year to give this poor girl a better home. I have provided almost all replacement bulbs, crickets, and sand out of pocket. And thats just the half of it. Anyway, the teacher had still done absolutely nothing, UGH, so I talked with my administrator and convinced him that something HAS to be done. It's a ridiculous process to get the funds cleared by the school district, but he's going to cover it himself in the mean time. Phew! No specializing vets in town, unfortunately, but she's finally going to get care. I wonder if we would be able to hold the student accountable, though, as the symptoms didn't show up until a day or 2 later. The sand was disgusting and I cleaned everything immediately after the pictures, maybe the obvious neglect will be enough to prove something.

I used all your responses as support when speaking with administration and I think it really opened their eyes, so I owe you all a big thank you! I'm confident they will now trust me when I say she needs a real home!

What ever you do , don't allow that dragon to be allowed to be returned to the school unless you are sure the class room teacher is competent in the care of bearded dragons (UNLIKELY IMO).

Since you've been doing everything for her (out of your own pocket), you essentially are her defacto "owner" / carer and I think you can probably make a good case to have her rehomed with you complete with the enclosure after it's been completely cleaned out and sterilised with F10 to ensure any germs do not reinfect her foot after it's been attended to by the vet.

Don't let the school put another reptile in the classroom to replace her.

I'd suggest daily soaks in luke warm betadiene solution (about 32degC) with enough betadiene added dropwise to make the water look like weak cold tea, don't let her drink it.
If the vet leave the wound uncovered I highly recommend removing the sand and putting down a few layers of fresh clean kitchen grade paper towelling , this will help keep things clean and stop any grit from getting into the wound. I'd suggest as well as an anti-inflamatories and antibiotic injections she may be put on for a while to help her recover, getting some Activon Manuka Honey (in a tube) and applying this to the injury at least daily.

Looking at the injuries, they are not new, it would have taken weeks for them to get infected and inflamed as they clearly are. It is likely to take several weeks even months for her foot to come good and she may wind up disabled for life as a result of this.

kingofnobbys · Aug 17, 2016

JackDaniels304":1d0g1hpx said:
U don't even know how irritating it all really is! Long story short, she's been at the school for 2 years and I've been trying to convince them for a year to give this poor girl a better home. I have provided almost all replacement bulbs, crickets, and sand out of pocket. And thats just the half of it. Anyway, the teacher had still done absolutely nothing, UGH, so I talked with my administrator and convinced him that something HAS to be done. It's a ridiculous process to get the funds cleared by the school district, but he's going to cover it himself in the mean time. Phew! No specializing vets in town, unfortunately, but she's finally going to get care. I wonder if we would be able to hold the student accountable, though, as the symptoms didn't show up until a day or 2 later. The sand was disgusting and I cleaned everything immediately after the pictures, maybe the obvious neglect will be enough to prove something. <<< I think if you've documented her living conditions with photos as you found her , and showed them to animal cruelty people you have good chance of proving terrible neglect , and the injury is proof of cruelty .... I just wish they were as keen on the proper care of reptiles as they are for feathered and hairy 4 legged animals.

I used all your responses as support when speaking with administration and I think it really opened their eyes, so I owe you all a big thank you! I'm confident they will now trust me when I say she needs a real home!

Drache613 · Aug 19, 2016

Hello,

Poor guy, that has to hurt! I agree, it appears that she has had the injury for awhile & it's infected. I am not sure if it's gout, but it is a possibility as well, just due to improper care for so long also.
Is there any way you can get him home with you or not?
I hope you are able to get some treatment for her foot. How is her appetite doing?

Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

JackDaniels304 · Aug 24, 2016

Sorry it has taken me so long to update you all. My life is ridiculous right now between caring for a father with liver failure and a brother with cancer. However, I made room to care for this darling as well. I brought her home Friday and I have to keep her in a separate room so as not to stress out my male. He does not like visitors, especially because my female is currently gestating. Anyway she's been getting lots of rest but I also check to make sure she's moving around a lot and not getting lethargic. She's still eating and drinking well (a lot actually, maybe more than usual?) And I have been soaking her foot in the betadine solution as recommended. Her foot still looks slightly worse though and it's very concerning and horrific. Now the good news... I'm about to take her to the vet right now! The only specialist is 40 miles away and of course he was on vacation but I got the first available appt and have been waiting for what feels like forever. Hoping for the best! I'll inform u all what happens. Thank you again everyone!

AHBD · Aug 24, 2016

That 's so nice that you're going to see about the poor girl's foot, glad to hear it

And all while caring for sick relatives....I know what that's like, very difficult situation and I wish you all the best !

magpieandstuff · Aug 26, 2016

I hate hearing stories about people mistreating reptiles. Back when I was in high school, a teacher had a beardie in his classroom and he was horrible to her. I think he just bought her because he thought she would look cool in his classroom. Also, he didn't even know she was a female. She died after she became egg bound.

(This happened before I knew anything about bearded dragons. Looking back, I wish I had done something to help.)

I think it is so great that you took this bearded dragon in. I hope she makes a full recovery.

Swollen foot

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