Hi this is my first post and I have tried searching through the bearded ER, section without much luck on finding specific information to my situation. I am in between class and work so I will be editing this post until all information is included.
I have no idea what caused this issue so all opinions will be considered. She is also my first reptile so still learning alot.
My bearded dragon Pebbles is not feeling to good. A week ago, Pebbles suddenly started limping on her front right leg, and was also swollen at the wrist and into her forearm. I took her to the vet the day I noticed to get xrays. The vet prescribed .5mg metacam for swelling and pain. No x-ray were done because vet didn't think anything was broken. And if it was broken nothing he could do to splint it (he believes if there is a break it is in her wrist)
After a week being on the metacam her condition has improved a bit. Her wrist is not as swollen as it initially was when i took her in ( I am not sure if I have pictures of the initial swelling.)
I got an additional week of metacam because first 3 dosages ended up more on her beard than in her mouth >.<
Other symptoms-
Currently she does not move from where she is placed. This includes if she wakes up in a spot to goes go sleep in a spot. She was not a very active dragon to begin with. Her appetite went from eating any insect that entered the cage with crazy speed to a slow deliberate movement and only if I bring the insect to her mouth. I am assuming the decrease in appetite could be because of the metacam. As well as I assume her lack of food intake is the reason her daily poops have decreased to every other day.
Pebble specs.
She is 6months old 203g and I think about 15 inch long.
Not sure of relevance but when I got pebbles, the pet store the had her, received her and her sister during a snow storm. Her sister is even now still a special needs beardy. Her sister was paralyzed in the back legs and one of the pet store employee cares for that one personally. Pebbles at the time had no concerning symptoms that I noticed when I purchased her.
Tank specs.
0. I took her basking stick out because she was having difficulties climbing with arm.
1. 40 gallon tank
2. Reptisun 10.0 t5 with reflector (currently 12in away from her basking spot but normally 7inch from basking spot.)
3. 2 Halogen 75w bulbs. 1 bulb is a spot bulb other is a flood light. Provides 102-113F temps recorded with heat gun.
4. Cold side is about 85-89 degrees.
5. Bottom of tank is tiled
6. Lights are on a dimmer.
https://plus.google.com/104664925854150543761/posts/KA9TQwxRmAo
Not sure how to post pictures just yet
Feeding
Pebbles gets a salad every day tho it's been a struggle to get her to eat it. Normally have to hide her roaches in her salad to get her to eat any. Currently this isn't an option with her current condition. Salad is usually mustard/collard greens.
I provide a Dubai roaches every day that I calcium with d3 dust every day. Usually about 13 roaches first feeding dusted and she normally only eats 7 the second feeding undusted.
To summarize.. What exactly am I doing wrong in the care of my Pebbles that is causing her to not want to eat or move and how long should I expect her to be uncomfortable. I am not sure if I'm being paranoid but also noticed a beginning lack of motion in back legs she tried to jump on top of something near her.
Thx for reading, Devin
If more info is needed please let me know.
I have no idea what caused this issue so all opinions will be considered. She is also my first reptile so still learning alot.
My bearded dragon Pebbles is not feeling to good. A week ago, Pebbles suddenly started limping on her front right leg, and was also swollen at the wrist and into her forearm. I took her to the vet the day I noticed to get xrays. The vet prescribed .5mg metacam for swelling and pain. No x-ray were done because vet didn't think anything was broken. And if it was broken nothing he could do to splint it (he believes if there is a break it is in her wrist)
After a week being on the metacam her condition has improved a bit. Her wrist is not as swollen as it initially was when i took her in ( I am not sure if I have pictures of the initial swelling.)
I got an additional week of metacam because first 3 dosages ended up more on her beard than in her mouth >.<
Other symptoms-
Currently she does not move from where she is placed. This includes if she wakes up in a spot to goes go sleep in a spot. She was not a very active dragon to begin with. Her appetite went from eating any insect that entered the cage with crazy speed to a slow deliberate movement and only if I bring the insect to her mouth. I am assuming the decrease in appetite could be because of the metacam. As well as I assume her lack of food intake is the reason her daily poops have decreased to every other day.
Pebble specs.
She is 6months old 203g and I think about 15 inch long.
Not sure of relevance but when I got pebbles, the pet store the had her, received her and her sister during a snow storm. Her sister is even now still a special needs beardy. Her sister was paralyzed in the back legs and one of the pet store employee cares for that one personally. Pebbles at the time had no concerning symptoms that I noticed when I purchased her.
Tank specs.
0. I took her basking stick out because she was having difficulties climbing with arm.
1. 40 gallon tank
2. Reptisun 10.0 t5 with reflector (currently 12in away from her basking spot but normally 7inch from basking spot.)
3. 2 Halogen 75w bulbs. 1 bulb is a spot bulb other is a flood light. Provides 102-113F temps recorded with heat gun.
4. Cold side is about 85-89 degrees.
5. Bottom of tank is tiled
6. Lights are on a dimmer.
Not sure how to post pictures just yet
Feeding
Pebbles gets a salad every day tho it's been a struggle to get her to eat it. Normally have to hide her roaches in her salad to get her to eat any. Currently this isn't an option with her current condition. Salad is usually mustard/collard greens.
I provide a Dubai roaches every day that I calcium with d3 dust every day. Usually about 13 roaches first feeding dusted and she normally only eats 7 the second feeding undusted.
To summarize.. What exactly am I doing wrong in the care of my Pebbles that is causing her to not want to eat or move and how long should I expect her to be uncomfortable. I am not sure if I'm being paranoid but also noticed a beginning lack of motion in back legs she tried to jump on top of something near her.
Thx for reading, Devin
If more info is needed please let me know.