Beardie has very weak legs/is anemic

[Cdkinney]

Hi everyone, I posted on here about a month ago with my beardie being very sick and so far all has gotten much better since then from the antibiotics I gave her, however for a while now she has been very weak. When I took her to the vet about a year ago, the vet said she has problems trying to have her brain tell her legs when to move resulting in her not being able to move around too much. When she walks only about 15-20% of the time does she actually push up on her legs and not just drag herself around. Is there anything I can do to possibly strengthen her legs? I have tried to get her in the tub to swim around but usually she just wants to sit stationary.

 

[KarrieRee]

what are you using for a UVB? coil or tube ? brand and bulb please
Karrie

 

[Cdkinney]

I have a Reptisun 10.0 UVB mounted in the cage on the back glass, when I first got her a few years ago I didn't know much about UVB so I am not sure if the first 6 months or so that I didnt have this set up could've caused these problems in the long run

 

[KarrieRee]

So is it a T5 or a T8 and does it have a reflector on it?
Karrie

 

[Cdkinney]

It is a T8, I do not have a reflector

 

[KarrieRee]

The T 8 needs to be directly over head approx 6-8 inches from basking spot as of now its doing no good -- I would recommend you either one get a new fixture or two go here and order a reflector
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/miscellaneous-accessories/arcadia-flourescent-lamp-reflectors-new-hot/ you need to order the T 8 reflector and the size of the fixture you have --- the Arcadias are interchangeable w/ the Reptisun so dont worry about the name - just get the T 8 and the fixture size
Karrie

 

[Cdkinney]

When you say overhead do you mean hanging from the wire mesh of the top of the cage? Most cages I have seen online have a similar set up to mine with the uvb tube mounted on the back glass. I could see getting the reflector and aiming it more downward so the light hits her more but if it has to be directly overhead would it be a safety hazard to have her heat lamp above a hanging uvb bulb? The uvb bulb I have is currently about 8 inches above her basking spot so if I can make the reflector angle downwards and leave the bulb where it’s at would that be okay as well?

 

[KarrieRee]

You wont need to make it angle downward if it has a reflector on it leave as is but the reflector would reach her then as of now those rays are going every where that is why I said directly over head - w/ no reflector - and the 8 inches would be fine as well w/ the reflector it also intensifies the rays and from the way it sounds he needs that UVB ---
Karrie

 

[Cdkinney]

Thank you for your help

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is your dragon doing?
If you can post some pictures of the tube bulb placement that would be great. As directed it does
need to be directly overhead & preferably in a light fixture with reflective backing on it. That helps
to direct the UVB downward & increases output, too.
Are you giving calcium & vitamins on a regular basis?

Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health

 

[Cdkinney]

Hi she’s doing alright like I said she has been dealing with the weak legs for a long time now so she’s just being her normal self. I just ordered from the link below to get a reflector. I will post a pic with the light as soon as possible but yeah she always gets vitamins and calcium. I will dust insects and I feed her baby food as well which I mix in vitamins and occasionally will add calcium if she’s picky about eating bugs