Several weeks ago, I posted in the Beardie ER forum about my 2.5 - 3 year old, Leezardo. (The post is still there and has more info about my set up and diet. I did manage to mount the ReptiSun 5.0 lighting under the metal lid since the post, but just on the side he stays on.). I took him to what I thought was the best exotic vet in our area because I thought he had tail rot and he was limping (front left leg). Yesterday, I found out, the reptile specialist had left a few years ago, and I saw a highly sought after avian vet, which wasn't helpful. Anyway, I followed directions to give injections of an antibiotic for 2 weeks every other day, and also baths every other day to help with the tail shed. She had taken off a good portion of the built up scales before I left. She also said to dust all food with calcium because he MBD could be the limping issue.
Fast forward to this week. I went to my regular vet office, who has a general reptile/avian on board. They had me bring him in before work and said to pick him up after. I spoke to her, and she is at a loss. She said she spent most of the day between her regular appointments searching her books and online, took an x-ray, and ran blood work twice trying to find answers. His calcium level was OFF THE CHARTS. Normal range is 10-14 and the machine won't read above 32....he was above 32. She thinks he is also a little chubby.
See the pictures to see what his physical symptoms are. I had his front leg that was looking like built up shed looking almost normal. It quickly came back once i backed off of the frequent baths. He did shed some a couple of weeks ago around his beard, mouth and eyes. Overnight, his back right leg has turned white and a patch at his neck. The vet thinks it could be stress induced, and not shedding. His tail looks somewhat better (last picture is the older pic). As I said, I had his front leg looking good, but now he won't let me touch it without jerking it away and opening his mouth (even a hiss or two) at me. This tells me he is in more pain than before.
Other than upping the calcium dusting, which in reality, what could cause this hypercalciumia? She has actually referred my case to a an area zoo's retired reptile vet who works from home. I haven't scheduled an appointment yet, but hope to meet next week if he is available.
Any ideas, suggestions, thoughts?
Fast forward to this week. I went to my regular vet office, who has a general reptile/avian on board. They had me bring him in before work and said to pick him up after. I spoke to her, and she is at a loss. She said she spent most of the day between her regular appointments searching her books and online, took an x-ray, and ran blood work twice trying to find answers. His calcium level was OFF THE CHARTS. Normal range is 10-14 and the machine won't read above 32....he was above 32. She thinks he is also a little chubby.
See the pictures to see what his physical symptoms are. I had his front leg that was looking like built up shed looking almost normal. It quickly came back once i backed off of the frequent baths. He did shed some a couple of weeks ago around his beard, mouth and eyes. Overnight, his back right leg has turned white and a patch at his neck. The vet thinks it could be stress induced, and not shedding. His tail looks somewhat better (last picture is the older pic). As I said, I had his front leg looking good, but now he won't let me touch it without jerking it away and opening his mouth (even a hiss or two) at me. This tells me he is in more pain than before.
Other than upping the calcium dusting, which in reality, what could cause this hypercalciumia? She has actually referred my case to a an area zoo's retired reptile vet who works from home. I haven't scheduled an appointment yet, but hope to meet next week if he is available.
Any ideas, suggestions, thoughts?