After Egg Laying, Is It Normal for Stiff Legs and Stiff Walk

[newbeardie79]

I am worried, again-sorry guys, about my beardie. Brief History: She stopped eating, Slept A LOT, then (with the help of some very knowledgable and awesome people on here ) we got her home (viv) set up properly, she then had sudden bouts of high engergy-which included glass dancing and digging, but was still not eating; then she laid 21 eggs after digging a 15" deep tunnel; I removed her from the tub'O'soil and gave her a warm bath; put her back into her home-under her lights; next day she ate a little food, today she ate A LOT of food (6 superworms, 7-9 crickets, mustard greens, collard greens) but here is why I'm worried:
When she walks, she looks like she has a severe case of arthritis (best way i can describe it)...she IS eating, but when done just goes back to crawl under her log!! She is dark and has stress spots most of the day. We gave her a bath, which my hubby said she enjoyed and lightened up a bit (I was at work), but went right back to DARK soon after. But again, her walk is horrible!!?? It just LOOKS PAINFUL! I was thinking it was because she dug so much....but its not getting any better??? ANY IDEAS???
Thanks guys!!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Poor girl. Did she seem to have to strain when she was laying at all, or did you notice?
It is possible that she strained a muscle while she was laying which can happen every so often.
Is her vent swollen that you have noticed?

Tracie

 

[newbeardie79]

Unfortunately, I wasn't there when she laid the eggs. I am assuming it was her first time....(Just got her a little over a month ago and they though she was a HE! LOL!) All of her limbs are stiff... She has been eating up a storm today though... hasn't pooped since she laid though... Just fed her a super worm dipped in Olive Oil. Hoping that might work...??? Dont even know if thats whats wrong with her...! Poor babe! Her vent doesn't look obviously swolen... but then again we are new beardie slaves and might not know the difference.???

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Can she support herself very well?
How long have you had her? Do you have a UVB light & do you supplement calcium regularly for her? If you have a UVB light, how old is it?

Tracie

 

[newbeardie79]

We have a ReptiSun tube light that runs across the majority of her tank that we purchased a couple of weeks ago. We picked her up from a family that had kids as the primary caretakers, so I don't know her history. Since we got her, we have upgraded her tank, switched her from a reptiglo to a larger reptisun tube. We were told that she is a little over a year. She is aprox. 16" long. We use "Repashy Superfoods--Bearded Dragon Calcium Plus" which we dust her live food 1-2 times a day. She does occassionally walk/bask with her foot turned inwards or walks SOMETIMES on her inward bent ankle...? I am soooo fearing MVD....????

 

[newbeardie79]

Oh, yes, Sorry, i was in a rush when I sent that last responce... she is flat like a pancake and when we bring her out to let her roam on the bed, she does hold herself up, no longer becoming as flat, but she does seem to move in stiff, kinda jerky motions.... ??? Any ideas would be appreciated... I had been ready to rush her to the vet when she kept sleeping, but then fixed her temps in her viv...False alarm #1.... Then we had an appointment set for the vet when she stopped eating, then found out she was with eggs...False alarm #2, And now this....??? I hope its False alarm #3! :lol: But i dunno, her legs bending like that has always bothered me.... maybe it is what i am fearing...?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Were those eggs fertile? If so, they probably really drained her calcium stores.
Also, if she was not kept under a UVB light prior to you getting her along with being bred way too early then it could have affected her calcium levels along with her bone density too.
Perhaps getting a bloodtest might be a good idea, to include an ionized calcium test along with the regular complete blood count test. Wait until you are sure she has laid all of the eggs she is going to lay for this round. She could lay another clutch in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, it is possible that he does have beginnings of metabolic bone disease, but I can't determine just solely on this scenario, but I think it would be best to get a blood test & if you can afford it an x-ray too.
Is she eating pretty well?
Make sure she is getting extra fluids & calcium along with protein & her greens & veggies too in order to help her replace what she has lost.
Let me know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[newbeardie79]

Hi Tracie! Thanks for all the good info. Yes, she is eating very well now... And she poo'd today!! A BIGGIE too!!! :lol: In fact, after that, she seemed to lighten up pretty well! Now, I think she is shedding!? :shock: Atleast it looks like the top layer of her feet are peeling off.

Boy!! All this within the first month!! Didn't she think we might wanna just get to know who she is and what beardies do first; before all the egg laying, skin falling off, whats next...? Burmation?? (Probably shouldn't say that too loud or she will, huh? LOL)

Looks like we might be out of immediate danger as she has pulled a 180. SOOOOO HAPPPY!!! :lol:

Think we will still take her into the vet though...just to get a general idea on how she is. Put my mind at ease. First reptile I've owned so I am so afraid of failing her. Looks like we both have an AWESOME back-up team though! (you guys! ) Thanks again so much!!! Hope I'll eventually be able to help others too once I learn more! Hugs!!

 

[Freeie]

Sounds like she might of been a little plugged up. Im so happy shes doing better for you