Beardie acting weird, need help!

[Nateb55]

Our 7 month old beardie, rex, is having some issues. He's had a rough life, being very undersized. He used to be with my other beardie, reptar, and didn't grow almost at all because of their hierarchy. So we brought him back to our local reptile shop that we bought him from and they got his feeding schedule back on track again, and when we got him back he'd still not grown at all. We've had him back for about a month and a half to 2 months and he's growing (he's she'd twice since we got him back and is about to shed again), although he still looks like a baby. He has these leaves that he always climbs on and he loves them. We went on vacation for 5 days and had a friend over to watch them in that time, so they got all the necessary care that we'd give them. When we got back he was acting a bit strange. He is wobbling almost like a bobble head when he walks and doesn't want to be held, and if he's in our hand and we bring our hand down he gets very scared. We noticed his leaves fell off of the glass (he must've accidentally pulled the suction cup off when climbing) and we assume he hit his head. He also does this thing when he bends backwards a lot instead of turning around... it's hard to describe, you'd probably have to see for yourself. He's been very happy and besides lacking in size he's been healthy, and is a very good eater. We love our rex and if I could get any help before my next paycheck that'd be great. As soon as I get payed he's going to the vet.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, sorry that the little guy is not well. The movement you describe sounds similar to star gazing . [ Google it ] This can happen with a severe vitamin B deficiency [ and possible calcium as well ] which causes neurological problems. The other possibility is atadenovirus. [ ADV ] which is very serious. [ Google it ] Overheating + dehydration can cause similar problems but I suspect one of the first 2. Poor little Rex, i hope it's not a really bad prognosis.

Do you have an experienced reptile vet to see him ? If not, Tracie [ Drache613 is one of the mods. here ] works with an organization that tests for ADV for a low price.
I doubt very much that he fell + got hurt unless it was from a pretty tall area.

 

[EllenD]

I agree that it sounds like a neurological issue...Your beardies aren't still housed together are they?

If you could post a photo of him and his complete enclosure and lighting it would be helpful, and tell us what UVB light brand, model, and type (compact, coil, tube, or MVB) and what his temperatures are inside his enclosure (basking spot, Hot Side, and Cool Side), and his daily diet, it will help us...But it sounds very much like he needs to see an experienced reptile vet immediately. Pet shops unfortunately do not usually know much at all and aren't typically much help...

 

[Nateb55]

Hi there, sorry that the little guy is not well. The movement you describe sounds similar to star gazing . [ Google it ] This can happen with a severe vitamin B deficiency [ and possible calcium as well ] which causes neurological problems. The other possibility is atadenovirus. [ ADV ] which is very serious. [ Google it ] Overheating + dehydration can cause similar problems but I suspect one of the first 2. Poor little Rex, i hope it's not a really bad prognosis.

Do you have an experienced reptile vet to see him ? If not, Tracie [ Drache613 is one of the mods. here ] works with an organization that tests for ADV for a low price.
I doubt very much that he fell + got hurt unless it was from a pretty tall area.

After reading about ADV, I am pretty sure that's what it is. He is constantly looking straight up, he's very undergrown, and spends a lot of time hiding in his leaves. I am very worried for him and also for my other dragon, Reptar. It's not that Reptar is showing any symptoms, but he was housed with rex for the first few months of their lives. I've also handled rex and then reptar shortly after, so I'm scared that it might've spread to reptar and that he's not showing any symptoms. The only things that might be symptoms with reptar is the fact that he is a slightly underweight (although his appetite is fine) and he is pretty lazy, although I wouldn't say he's lethargic. He's very active outside of his tank though. His poop seems healthy, as it's mostly solid, but he only poops about 2 or 3 times a week. As for Rex, I don't have enough money for the vet to provide him treatment that will give him a happy life. It breaks my heart. I might just have him put down as he seems very confused and overall unhappy and I'll be taking Reptar to the vet to get him checked for ADV. It breaks my heart that little Rex has to go through this and I really don't want to put him down. And if I lose rex I certainly won't want to lose reptar too. Losing one of them would be hard enough. Especially since I got them to help deal with the pain of losing my first dragon Puff.

 

[Nateb55]

Hi there, sorry that the little guy is not well. The movement you describe sounds similar to star gazing . [ Google it ] This can happen with a severe vitamin B deficiency [ and possible calcium as well ] which causes neurological problems. The other possibility is atadenovirus. [ ADV ] which is very serious. [ Google it ] Overheating + dehydration can cause similar problems but I suspect one of the first 2. Poor little Rex, i hope it's not a really bad prognosis.

Do you have an experienced reptile vet to see him ? If not, Tracie [ Drache613 is one of the mods. here ] works with an organization that tests for ADV for a low price.
I doubt very much that he fell + got hurt unless it was from a pretty tall area.

I've been giving his crickets extra calcium dusts and keeping him hydrated and his symptoms gradually disappeared and he's almost completely back to normal