TheGoat
New member
Hi guys, I'm DJ.
I've been a LONG time lurker on this thread... and I've truly never had a reason to make an account, because my questions were answered 1000 times over on the forums. But now, 15 years later I feel the need has been met.
This is my bearded dragon, stitches.
He is a little over 15 years old, and he has been to the vet twice in his entire life. The first trip, was on the car ride home from me purchasing him as a 'baby' (1-2 months old) for a standard 'check up'. The second, was today... 15 years later.
A month ago, I replaced his crushed walnut shell bedding with a different brand of crushed walnut bedding. The two bedding's were identical in appearance, so I thought nothing of it. Now that I think back on the happenings between the bedding replacement and now, stitches appetite was less than normal but nothing drastic. And two days ago, I noticed stitches had a severe arch/bend in his back. At first I thought it was because he was shedding, so I dropped in some crickets and the bend didn't go away as he chased them down. He has a half log in the cage, as a tunnel, and the bend was so bad he got stuck under the log because of his added height.
I took him to the vet as soon as I was able.
This was the first time his behavior has ever caused me to become concerned in all the time I've owned him, so I figured 'this was it'. During his second trip to the vet, I learned that the random vet I decided to visit housed a specialist reptile veterinarian and researcher on bearded dragons, Dr.Wentz. Dr.Wentz was astounded at Stitches's age, as even the doc's longest living pet dragon died at just nine years old. I found it pretty cool, but Dr.Wentz found it much cooler lol. Because it was such a rare case and also because he had never seen this problem before, Dr.Wentz did the x-rays and blood work on my lizard under the condition that he could use the findings for his research.
I won't get the blood work back until monday, but the x-rays came back fine... and Dr.Wentz believes the arch in his back is not causing Stitches any pain or discomfort. He demonstrated that when he pushed on his back (in a way that corrected the bend) stitches offered no disapproval. His back would stay 'normal' for 2-5 minutes and then revert to the arched position. He explained how the new bedding I put in his cage could be the culprit. It turns out that crushed walnut (the stuff I just replaced his sand with a month ago) is toxic to bearded dragons, and causes neurological cancer and muscle spasms. As muscle spasms would explain his arched back, we've come to the conclusion that Stitches body is becoming irritated by the crushed walnut. Because I brought him to the vet so quickly after the symptoms started, we think its safe to assume replacing the walnut with something else will cause his muscles to relax again. I hope this is the case, as I'd love to keep him around. If the crushed walnut bedding isn't the problem, then his bloodwork should offer more insight on his condition... but I'm just happy he's not in any pain. He also explained that it could simply be because he is getting so old... similar to how old humans start to hunch over with age. I'll update when it comes in and I talk to Dr.Wentz again! I'll also post a picture of his new finished cage here shortly, as he suggested a slew of other cage changes as well.
Dr.Wentz also suggested I give him medicine for a worm that most beardies get at a young age, as hes never gotten it before. I am doing so.
But if crushed walnut is so bad, why has it taken 15 years to produce symptoms?
And I now know there is a huge debate on crushed walnut causing impaction, but I've visibly seen Stitches accidentally eat the stuff. Unfortunately on many occasions. Before I found out about it causing impaction, the worst fear I had about him eating it was that it was going to hurt his teeth because of the audible 'crunch' every-time he grabbed some.
We also discussed stitches diet. Dr.Wentz explained that he had seen multiple dragons today and during the past week, and the main reason of his excitement was because stitches was the most healthy of the ones hes seen lately. His only concern, was that he assumed stitches was dehydrated, underweight, and may have a calcium deficiency. His main source of food is 'pre-made' salad kits that contain cabbage, different types of salad, carrots, and radishes. I noticed early on that he would instantly go for the carrots and sometimes even completely disregard the rest of the food. So ontop of the food pellets, bugs, and greens... I would often slice up carrots and fill his bowl with them. The vet found that extremely odd as he said he doesn't know any lizard that likes carrots lol. He also said the main reason of his low weight is primarily because his main source of food is veggies instead of food pellets/bugs. But because he's lived this long on that diet, he thought it could cause undo stress if I start feeding him 'normal' right away. He suggested offering pellets/bugs much more often and slowly weening off of the vegetables.
My main question is, has anyone here had an experience similar to this? The back-bending part, I mean. The vet was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions near instantly, and in the short time I've known him I believe him to be trustworthy. But I truly love my lizard, and one persons mind just simply isn't enough for me.
Thank you very much for reading. I'm sorry if some of this wasn't relevant, but I wanted to include everything just in-case. If there is anything else you need to know about his care or conditions, please ask... I will answer.
Edit: After the new bedding he was also letting out puffs of air (like a burp) when I would remove him from the cage. I notified Dr.Wentz of this and he saw no signs of an infection.
\\fixed pics
I've been a LONG time lurker on this thread... and I've truly never had a reason to make an account, because my questions were answered 1000 times over on the forums. But now, 15 years later I feel the need has been met.
This is my bearded dragon, stitches.
He is a little over 15 years old, and he has been to the vet twice in his entire life. The first trip, was on the car ride home from me purchasing him as a 'baby' (1-2 months old) for a standard 'check up'. The second, was today... 15 years later.
A month ago, I replaced his crushed walnut shell bedding with a different brand of crushed walnut bedding. The two bedding's were identical in appearance, so I thought nothing of it. Now that I think back on the happenings between the bedding replacement and now, stitches appetite was less than normal but nothing drastic. And two days ago, I noticed stitches had a severe arch/bend in his back. At first I thought it was because he was shedding, so I dropped in some crickets and the bend didn't go away as he chased them down. He has a half log in the cage, as a tunnel, and the bend was so bad he got stuck under the log because of his added height.
I took him to the vet as soon as I was able.
This was the first time his behavior has ever caused me to become concerned in all the time I've owned him, so I figured 'this was it'. During his second trip to the vet, I learned that the random vet I decided to visit housed a specialist reptile veterinarian and researcher on bearded dragons, Dr.Wentz. Dr.Wentz was astounded at Stitches's age, as even the doc's longest living pet dragon died at just nine years old. I found it pretty cool, but Dr.Wentz found it much cooler lol. Because it was such a rare case and also because he had never seen this problem before, Dr.Wentz did the x-rays and blood work on my lizard under the condition that he could use the findings for his research.
I won't get the blood work back until monday, but the x-rays came back fine... and Dr.Wentz believes the arch in his back is not causing Stitches any pain or discomfort. He demonstrated that when he pushed on his back (in a way that corrected the bend) stitches offered no disapproval. His back would stay 'normal' for 2-5 minutes and then revert to the arched position. He explained how the new bedding I put in his cage could be the culprit. It turns out that crushed walnut (the stuff I just replaced his sand with a month ago) is toxic to bearded dragons, and causes neurological cancer and muscle spasms. As muscle spasms would explain his arched back, we've come to the conclusion that Stitches body is becoming irritated by the crushed walnut. Because I brought him to the vet so quickly after the symptoms started, we think its safe to assume replacing the walnut with something else will cause his muscles to relax again. I hope this is the case, as I'd love to keep him around. If the crushed walnut bedding isn't the problem, then his bloodwork should offer more insight on his condition... but I'm just happy he's not in any pain. He also explained that it could simply be because he is getting so old... similar to how old humans start to hunch over with age. I'll update when it comes in and I talk to Dr.Wentz again! I'll also post a picture of his new finished cage here shortly, as he suggested a slew of other cage changes as well.
Dr.Wentz also suggested I give him medicine for a worm that most beardies get at a young age, as hes never gotten it before. I am doing so.
But if crushed walnut is so bad, why has it taken 15 years to produce symptoms?
And I now know there is a huge debate on crushed walnut causing impaction, but I've visibly seen Stitches accidentally eat the stuff. Unfortunately on many occasions. Before I found out about it causing impaction, the worst fear I had about him eating it was that it was going to hurt his teeth because of the audible 'crunch' every-time he grabbed some.
We also discussed stitches diet. Dr.Wentz explained that he had seen multiple dragons today and during the past week, and the main reason of his excitement was because stitches was the most healthy of the ones hes seen lately. His only concern, was that he assumed stitches was dehydrated, underweight, and may have a calcium deficiency. His main source of food is 'pre-made' salad kits that contain cabbage, different types of salad, carrots, and radishes. I noticed early on that he would instantly go for the carrots and sometimes even completely disregard the rest of the food. So ontop of the food pellets, bugs, and greens... I would often slice up carrots and fill his bowl with them. The vet found that extremely odd as he said he doesn't know any lizard that likes carrots lol. He also said the main reason of his low weight is primarily because his main source of food is veggies instead of food pellets/bugs. But because he's lived this long on that diet, he thought it could cause undo stress if I start feeding him 'normal' right away. He suggested offering pellets/bugs much more often and slowly weening off of the vegetables.
My main question is, has anyone here had an experience similar to this? The back-bending part, I mean. The vet was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions near instantly, and in the short time I've known him I believe him to be trustworthy. But I truly love my lizard, and one persons mind just simply isn't enough for me.
Thank you very much for reading. I'm sorry if some of this wasn't relevant, but I wanted to include everything just in-case. If there is anything else you need to know about his care or conditions, please ask... I will answer.
Edit: After the new bedding he was also letting out puffs of air (like a burp) when I would remove him from the cage. I notified Dr.Wentz of this and he saw no signs of an infection.
\\fixed pics
As for the bend in his back, I can see that what the vet said makes sense....that it may have to do with his extreme old age. Another possibility is that he has SOME impaction, but not severe....maybe enough to cramp him up a bit. Then if the vet says crushed walnut is linked to neuro problems it may be a combination of all of these. I think it would be prudent to get rid of it. It may also be that his age + the crushed walnut " fumes" have caused the little cough. I think your vet is doing a great job, but I wanted to ask if you had a fecal test done to detect the presence of parasites ? If not, then he should not be on any meds. at all....he's done fine without for all these years and the meds. can really upset their stomach.
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