Baby Bearded Dragon unable to use its from arms

[sammy10228]

Hello!

Note: I have not taken this beardie home, just looking to see if I can save him/her and be able to provide it the proper care for a handicapped dragon. They are giving him away for free and I'd thought I might be able to save the poor guy/girl as he/she has already been there for some time waiting for the right person to take them.

I'm looking for advice on a bearded dragon I found at Pet Smart, he/she has no ability to move their front arms. When they move, they are only using their tail and back legs, the from arms just slide under it's body. Pet Smart took it to the vet and the veterinarian said that he's just immobile in it's front arms. Doesn't seem to be affecting anything else as he/she is able to move all other limbs and head perfectly fine. They said he's eating fine but have switched him to worms mostly because he/she is unable to chase the crickets and they don't have anyone to hand feed him.

Anyone ever dealt with this situation before? Do you think it's possible he/she good get worse OR even possible gain mobility again?

As I've mentioned I haven't taken them home, if you think I should or shouldn't please be blunt and say so! I understand I shouldn't be encouraging Pet Smart but the poor guy is handicapped and free, I just want to help.

 

[syoung27]

That's terribly sad. Hopefully the knowledgeable folks will chime in soon.
It may have MBD which is a bone disease. Possibly from poor lighting or lack of calcium.
I'm not sure it would be born and sent there in such a state.
It may also suffer from paralysis from impaction - eating things too large. Possibly had a bad fall.
I'm not entirely sure. The idea of saving it is lovely, but your first step would be a trip to a good herp vet. Probably not a cheap endeavor. If you have means to do so since it is free, might be a nice idea to take it to see a vet. If the vet is good they may hold it there and nurse it to recovery if that's possible. Or at least put the little guy down.
Very sad they keep animals in such a state to suffer. Heartbreaking.

 

[sammy10228]

That's terribly sad. Hopefully the knowledgeable folks will chime in soon.
It may have MBD which is a bone disease. Possibly from poor lighting or lack of calcium.
I'm not sure it would be born and sent there in such a state.
It may also suffer from paralysis from impaction - eating things too large. Possibly had a bad fall.
I'm not entirely sure. The idea of saving it is lovely, but your first step would be a trip to a good herp vet. Probably not a cheap endeavor. If you have means to do so since it is free, might be a nice idea to take it to see a vet. If the vet is good they may hold it there and nurse it to recovery if that's possible. Or at least put the little guy down.
Very sad they keep animals in such a state to suffer. Heartbreaking.

Yea I would definitely want to get it assessed by a vet myself but I'm not sure what else I will be told since they've already taken it to a vet. Possibly be able to run tests or X rays which will for sure get costly. I want to save it but I also don't want to drown myself in vet bills.

 

[CooperDragon]

Poor guy. If you feel like you can provide a good home for him, I say go for it. He deserves a shot at a good life. Keep in mind that it may be an expensive venture so you'll want to have the resources in place to properly care for him. He will need good lighting and an enclosure that is set up to give him space but also be relatively flat so he can move about more easily. You will want to have an experienced reptile vet on hand to check on him and you may have some expensive vet bills so I'd prepare for that as well. If you can provide him with a proper environment and good care then he may thrive with you.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Completely agree with what Cooper said.
Don't forget that we have a ton of people on here that have had rescue beardies, and would be willing to help you along the way as you help this beardie.

 

[AHBD]

Can you post pics of the little dude ? Here's how:
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/
If he is actually eating and seems otherwise healthy and you are O.K with it, then go ahead + keep him. It may be a lack of calcium or something else, but lizards like that can do reasonably well even if they don't regain mobility. Crickets are still better than worms [ just cripple them before dropping them in so he can get them ] and the rest of his care would be similar to a normal dragon EXCEPT he can't have a high basking area.

 

[sammy10228]

Can you post pics of the little dude ? Here's how:
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/
If he is actually eating and seems otherwise healthy and you are O.K with it, then go ahead + keep him. It may be a lack of calcium or something else, but lizards like that can do reasonably well even if they don't regain mobility. Crickets are still better than worms [ just cripple them before dropping them in so he can get them ] and the rest of his care would be similar to a normal dragon EXCEPT he can't have a high basking area.

I'm going back to PetSmart later tonight, and I should be able to get pictures of the little dude and maybe weigh him if needed. I could also take him home and see if he perks up, they have a warranty policy (not that I would want to return it to them). I have a feeling that since it's Pet Smart they might not be providing the proper diet and hopefully a high calcium diet helps gain mobility. Although even if he doesn't I honestly don't mind having a handicapped dragon, my other dragon Stella who I just go on March 11th has some old burns that I'm working with the make sure they don't get bigger.

I just got a small wide Exo Terra for $60 that's never been used, I'd put him in there to monitor him and see how much he can actually move. The only thing I'm missing is a UVB light and I'd get a ZOO MED™ REPTISUN™ 10.0 UVB Reptile Lamp Tube and fixture, which I can get from WalMart

 

[CooperDragon]

I would avoid the walmart fixtures or at least get a reflector for it so the output is directed over the basking area. With a reflector, the optimal output for a T8 is only about 6''. If you go to a T5 it has an optimal output at 12-14''. Depending on the height of the tank, a T8 may be appropriate. I've had good luck with the Zilla Slimline fixture that has a reflector built in. Just have to remember to remove the clear plastic cover before using it. It has two holes in the back that allow it to be mounted on the back wall of the tank using 2 small (1lb rated) command hooks.

 

[sammy10228]

I would avoid the walmart fixtures or at least get a reflector for it so the output is directed over the basking area. With a reflector, the optimal output for a T8 is only about 6''. If you go to a T5 it has an optimal output at 12-14''. Depending on the height of the tank, a T8 may be appropriate. I've had good luck with the Zilla Slimline fixture that has a reflector built in. Just have to remember to remove the clear plastic cover before using it. It has two holes in the back that allow it to be mounted on the back wall of the tank using 2 small (1lb rated) command hooks.

Would something like this work?

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.closet-light-1-light-fluorescent-strip.1000746169.html

 

[CooperDragon]

That would work but it doesn't have a reflector so you'd loose a bit of power. You could try to rig up a homemade reflector using some shiny metal, maybe foil or similar, on the inside. I'd consider it a stopgap.

 

[syoung27]

To create reflection you can probably use tin tape, similar to what is used on HVAC ducts in homes. Probably under $10 for a large roll. Home Depot or any general hardware store would have it. Maybe even Walmart.
Good luck! Hope you can help the little bugger out. Taking it away from Petsmart will be a good start anyways.
The reptiworms are usually fairly small, maybe need to be cut up if need be. They hardly move at all, might be an easy food solution but you'd have to order them unless you have an actual reptile shop in town. I think they're also called phoenix worms. The shop I just got some at for the first time calls them soldier worms.
The store bought commercial pellets usually provide good nutrition also, but you'd have to be more regular with supplementing hydration. My guy eats them up pretty often.
I'm sure enough people will chime in with cost saving ideas to help you out.
You could entirely raise the floor up by stacking towels, books or anything up to avoid the need for climbing. Put the paper towel or whatever solid substrate on top of that.

 

[sammy10228]

To create reflection you can probably use tin tape, similar to what is used on HVAC ducts in homes. Probably under $10 for a large roll. Home Depot or any general hardware store would have it. Maybe even Walmart.
Good luck! Hope you can help the little bugger out. Taking it away from Petsmart will be a good start anyways.
The reptiworms are usually fairly small, maybe need to be cut up if need be. They hardly move at all, might be an easy food solution but you'd have to order them unless you have an actual reptile shop in town. I think they're also called phoenix worms. The shop I just got some at for the first time calls them soldier worms.
The store bought commercial pellets usually provide good nutrition also, but you'd have to be more regular with supplementing hydration. My guy eats them up pretty often.
I'm sure enough people will chime in with cost saving ideas to help you out.
You could entirely raise the floor up by stacking towels, books or anything up to avoid the need for climbing. Put the paper towel or whatever solid substrate on top of that.

I've never heard of Reptiworms but I have looked them up now. I'll have to see if my local store can order them in for me or see how much it would be for me to order them in.

My main concern is vet bills and being able to find a vet that knows what's wrong

 

[syoung27]

Maybe find one and call them asap and see if they're willing to help you out since you're sort of taking in a rescue. They might be able to make you a deal to diagnose it at least.
I would doubt petsmart actually uses a well rounded vet.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Reptiworms are phoenix worms or BSF larvae if I remember correctly. You can get some from http://www.phoenixworm.com for decent prices. There was another link that had some for really cheap, but idr it off hand and I haven't personally used them yet.

 

[CooperDragon]

I think this is the link to the cheap BSFL you may have been thinking of http://www.symtonbsf.com/store/c8/High_Calcium_Feeding_Grade_Grubs.html