Clumsy dragon?

[DorisTheDragon]

Recently Doris the dragon has been falling over quite a bit. She’s never been great at ‘using all her legs’ and I was just wondering if it’s normal for them to be a bit clumsy or if I should be worried?

Doris is in a 4ft viv with the recommended Arcadia uvb, temps around 105 and is fed on a variety of salad and dusted crickets. She’s about two years old.

 

[KarrieRee]

Can you post pics of Doris please?
Karrie

 

[DorisTheDragon]

Here she is, looking a bit annoyed at having her picture taken.

 

[KarrieRee]

When she walks does she walk funny -- does she drag her legs? She looks good and healthy-- have you had her since she was a baby?
Karrie

 

[DorisTheDragon]

She doesn’t really drag her legs, but does occasionally seem to forget one of them (different ones at different times). Sometimes when she’s chasing crickets, she’ll try to turn a corner sharply and her back end will tip over sideways which worries me a bit.
We’ve had her since she was 4 months old,

 

[KarrieRee]

I am not a vet but it sounds an awful like MBD--- how long have you had the Arcadia bulb and where is it in the tank?
Karrie

 

[DorisTheDragon]

I changed the bulb in October, it’s got a reflector too. It’s a long one that stretches most of the way across the viv and is about ten inches away from her basking spot. Do you think I should take her to the vet, and are there tests they can do? Which things make it sound like mdb?

 

[KarrieRee]

What bulb was in there before you changed it out to the Arcadia-- the first year of their life is crucial for bone development --- the dragging of the one or both legs -- the falling over- etc......... they will do a calcium test I am guessing and xrays would show the bones and how much calcium is there etc.. I only know this because Hiccup had xrays and my vet went over the xrays w/ me--
Karrie

 

[DorisTheDragon]

Before I discovered this forum, we followed the reptile shop’s advice on bulbs etc so used trixie ones. Then I followed all the advice on here, what a great resource this website is.
I will take her to the vets as soon as pos then, thank you so much for your help Karrie.

 

[KarrieRee]

I am sorry I guess I never heard of Trixie ? I just googled trixe and I am guessing that was a coil bulb? I am sorry yes you need to take Doris to the vet --- tell them what shes doing and what kind of UVB you were using the first part of her life- she should be able to recover some I am guessing w/ the right amount of UVB and possibly extra calcium--- but the Arcadia is definitely going to help.
Karrie

 

[DorisTheDragon]

It was called trixie reptiland desert pro. I think they’re a German company (we’re in uk). Doris is a good size and shape, so I don’t think it did too much harm but I will take her to the vets for testing as the falling over is worrying.

 

[KarrieRee]

They will most likely want a fecal so you would need to collect that and blood work would be done to get the calcium level etc............ how big (long) is Doris and do you know what she weighs? be sure to get copies of the blood work from them and her xrays too-- they can send those to you in your email I am guessing-
Karrie

 

[DorisTheDragon]

That’s a good tip, and it’s good to know what to expect thank you. Ill definitely ask for copies of the results.
Doris is 19.5 inches long and weighs 528g, is that a little chunky? She’s a good eater!

 

[KarrieRee]

I am not sure about her weight but she is good length-- the vet will be able to tell you if shes good or over weight- to me she looks good --
Karrie