Sick Beardie

Hi!
I really need some guidance!
Puddle, our almost 2 year old beardie has been sick for about a month. He started favoring his left from paw about a month ago after a bout with cocidia. We've taken him to the vet 3 times; she first thought it was a soft tissue injury, then maybe a sholder injury, and since we've seen no improvement, only worsening, we're worried it may be cancer or something not good. She said she only does diagnostics in the bane of treatment, and she said she treatment is usually not effective with beardies.
His appetite has been down for a month. He'll eat a live feader occasionally, ate a super worm yesterday, and has been eating smoothies (greens and protien and calcium). He also has been pooping at least every other day. This morning his beard was black; he's lathargic, and obviously not feeling well. He seemed really unhappy under his lights in his tank, so we have him in blankets on the couch.
I gave him .1 ml of medacam for the pain. Any advice? Should I put him under his lights? Leave him out? Put him on a heating pad.
He may be on his way out; we are so so so sad, and just want to make him feel better or at least comfortable.
Thank you,
Katie & Puddle

Could you explain his setup? Did the vet do a blood test? Can you post any pictures?

She didn't.
He has a high reflective uvb above his basking that's at 100. He's been pretty responsive, but this morning his eyes were close in his basking spot and his beard was black, so he's sleeping on the couch. We are broken hearted!
Thank you for your reply. I ll send pics!

Has he been rechecked for coccidia and what was the meds called that you used. There are a few different meds they don't always work. What brand/type/age of uvb do you have? How often are you giving calcium and vitamins? This could be multiple things that's going on. The first thing to check for is MBD and parasites.

I should also ask if he had any probiotics. But in my opinion I would find a different vet if she feels that way. If you can afford to I would get blood work done but rechecking parasites would be the first place I'd start.

Hi!
Thank you for your reply!
We retreated him for coccidia with panasuril and he was due for a dose (2 weeks after the last dose) but didn't b/c he's so weak.
Can MBD be treated?
Hi uvb is a high output t5 reptile light by light your reptiles- advised in this forum.
He gets calcium w/ vitiman d once a day now that he's just eating smoothies.
Thanks again
I have to figure out how to post pics and I will

I would keep his calcium at 3x week and vitamins 2x week for now. There is no lens or glass on the uvb light? If the bulb is over a year old it needs to be replaced too. I would get another stool sample done asap just to be sure.

I replace it this week and in June before
I will get another sample done.
Thanks again

What a cute little sweetheart. Doesn't really seem like calcium deficiency is the problem. That is the only thing I can think of about his leg unless he injured it or has gout. Is there any abnormal swelling on that leg or toes? Then there is the parasites that could be making him sick if he still has them. If he seems happier on the couch I would use a heating pad on low with a towel. Unless he just ate, let him bask a couple hours. I am going through coccidia treatment with my little guy and he won't eat either. He doesn't sound as bad as yours right now. In the evenings he sometimes looks dark and just laying with his head down. I started putting a tablet in front of him and let him watch nature vidoes and he watches it without putting his head down lol. Anything to get his mind of things I'll try. I ordered him some serrapeptase it helps with MBD and after parasite treatment, also helps with inflammation and pain. It comes naturally from silk worms and is very good for them. You can get probiotics as well. You can find them at bearded dragon co.

I scheduled an appt for Sunday with a specialist.
Poor guy has had a black or grey beard for the past three days.
Any suggestions?
We re so sad!

That looks like the T5 Arcadia from LightYourReptiles. If so, it's an excellent UVB light and should put out plenty of UVB even at a year out. I hope the vet is able to get to the bottom of what's going on. A blood test may help show if there are any major issues with his systems, including calcium levels.

Thank you cooper dragon!
He's having an okay day. Ate 2 worms. Yay!
I just so want him to make it, even if he is gimpy.

Eating is a good sign too! I hope he makes it as well. They are tough little guys and can get through a lot when needed.

Hi there!
So we just got back from the bearded dragon "specialist" and still have no answers. It was an animal medical center, so the tests were double what they would be at our vet.
She can localize puddle's issue to his left shoulder; when he is held belly up, he doesn't have the range of motion in his left shoulder.
She advised blood work and x-rays, which I will do at my vet if I should. What do you think? What can they tell? How can they treat?
And she prescribed .25ml of sulfameth and Trimeth oral suspension every 12 hours. I'm so wary of putting more meds in him.
I feel so bad for our boy!
Any guidance would be much appreciated!