Big lump on base of spine? Pics included ****UPDATE

[Drache613]

Hello,

I had a few questions. How long did it take this lump to become apparent on his back, did it just appear overnight?
Otherwise, could he have fallen from somewhere to have hurt himself?
What type & brand of UVB light do you have & how old is it? Is it a flourescent tube or a compact or coil light?


Tracie

 

[vickson420]

Hi
I do think the vet is your first cause of action.That lump will definately need testing.While its possible that its MBD I am kind of doubtful.You said you use a linear reptisun 10.0 and you are dusting with calcium right?Have you had him since he was a hatchling? How old is your reptisun bulb?How close can he get to it?How often do you dust feeders?There are some beardies that even with proper calcium supplementation have difficulty absorbing calcium unless its in liquid or injectable form which really is the only way that this could be MBD.
You said this lump appeared over the period of a month?
I think its more likely that he fell an injured himself.It is possible theres a break or even some fluid collecting thats causing swelling.The first thing I would do is make sure there isnt anything in his tank thats to high that he could fall off of and injure himself further.Does he have any other symptoms(even if you think its unrelated)?

Vicky

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

When you take him to the vet make sure to get an x-ray to determine any breaks or fractures. You mentioned that it was hard, so it could be a large tumor or something of that nature. It definitely needs to be looked at though.

Tracie

 

[ArdorAndZeal1]

NOTE:: This has no basis in Reptile Care/experience at all - but rather human injury.

I hurt my near, on a seemingly harmless play in football a few years back, and the synovial joint in my right knee swelled. And kept swelling... from the size of pea to the size of a softball. I had no pain, and part of it felt hard, and eventually it had to be drained.
-
Just something to consider, maybe an injury could of caused something like this?
-
the Mods know much more than I do, but I like to brainstorm and let the wiser people and vets decide.

 

[ub003]

Thanks for the responses,

Yes the UVB is a Repti sun 10, 3 foot tube that I bought for him about 5 months ago. He can get approx 8 inches away from it.
Crickets are dusted about 5 times a week.
I would say that this has happened gradually over a time period of atleast a month, month and a half, even 2 months. But he has no other symptoms, has full use of all his legs, poops regularly and loves his food.
I will definatley ask for an xray to be done.

Thanks all

 

[vickson420]

Ok good because a this point I really think its an injury or possible tumor.The vet will be able to tell you more after an xray.Please keep us posted.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Definitely let us know how things go at the vets. An x-ray will tell you alot. Has he fallen from a tall spot? Do you remember anything that he could have injured himself from?
The UVB is fine. You will want to look at replacing it in another month though to ensure optimal UVB output. They do tend to decay over time.

Keep us posted.

Tracie

 

[ub003]

Ok, so heres the update on what happened at the vets today......

It turns out that Chop has got a Fractured Spine. The vet x-rayed him, and it was clear that hes done some damage to himself. There are about 3 or 4 vertebrae at the bottom of his spine that are out of alignment with the rest of his spine. While he was there, he also took some blood tests, he was happy with the Calcium content reading, and said that if anything they were a little high, so I just need to cut back a little bit on the calcium for a few weeks.

The good news is that it isn't a tumour, or MBD, and theres no infection, but, because of his size, and the complications it could cause, the vet decided that it is better not to operate on him. The main concern is the spinal cord, at the moment he said all movement was fine, and he didn't seem to be in any pain. SO..... I have arranged another appointment in 2 weeks, so he can monitor the situation. In the mean time the best thing to do with him is to limit his movement and try to keep him as still, and quiet as possible, in the hope that his spine strengthens without affecting his spinal cord.

So I would definately advise anyone who thinks there beardie has done the same thing (MelissaGray) to go to the vets, and double check. Atleast now I know, and can try and help him recover. If the spinal cord does get damaged as he grows, I dont think there are to many options, other than putting him down, and out of his pain.

On a lighter note, I also took my other beardie Chuck with me to get a quick health check up, and it turns out that He is a SHE!!!!!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my original post, with any help and advice. Hopefully this post will help someothers with the same problems.

Thanks all

 

[LJean]

At least now you know what the problem is. Is there something you can do to help him heal well?
I feel bad for the little guy.

So Chuck is a Chick? Sorry, bad joke I know.

 

[ub003]

Vets advice is to just try and limit his movement as much as possible, even block of one half of his viv so he cant run around, and do further damage. Hopefully his spine will kind of 'fuse' together stronger, and fingers crossed won't mess with the spinal cord. Hes always gunna have the lump on the base of his spine, but so long as hes not in any pain, im happy!

And yes Chuck Is now Chick!!! hahaha :lol:

 

[LJean]

Oh, I was thinking along the lines of physical therapy. I see now where you posted where you need to keep his mobility down. No pain is definately a good thing. It is difficult to watch them suffer. Did the vet say for about how long until he is well enough to run around again?

 

[vickson420]

Hi
Well I am very glad to hear that he isnt in pain.So he said it was a fracture or just a dislocation of the vertabra?I understand why surgery wouldnt be an option.Is there any soft tissue swelling at the moment?Did he give any meds?I agree you should limit his activity.I would remove anything to high that he can fall from.If you look at jscott's set up for his disable beardies you could get some really great ideas for tank layout and basking areas.Please keep us posted on his progress.BTW do you know how he injured himself?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow that is amazing. I wonder what he did to himself, did he fall do you know? You can request a prednisone shot which can help to alleviate pain & swelling.
There is also a product called Serrapeptase which is dried silkworm enzyme that is very good for pain & swelling & soft tissue swelling.
Make a basking ramp so he doesn't have to climb & hurt himself more.
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[ub003]

No, I honestly have no idea how he did it. There isn't really anything that high in his viv. I'm guessing that he did it when he was quite abit smaller,and maybe his bones were'nt too strong, and only since he's gotten bigger has it become noticable? I still have no clue how he's done it tho. The vet didn't think it was causing him any pain and thaught it best at the moment not to use pain killers. I feel bad for not taking him to the vets sooner, but I really had no idea it was anything this bad. I feel a bit better knowing that there was'nt anything much that the vet could do, and the only real treatment is to try and keep his movement down, and to be honest he is very lazy at the best of times! :lol:

 

[leothebeardie]

Mine has this now, If it is a spinal problem i havnt got the money at the moment ( as the op would probably be hundreds of pounds) But im really worried about him. His lump isnt as big as your beardies but it is the same, he can move his legs fine and everything like yours, im woried