Disabled rescue

[hedgieandfarmgirl]

We rescued a bearded dragon tonight from a family that was moving. They rescued her about 4 months ago from someone that supposedly didn't give her proper nutrition which in turn affected her legs and walking. I thought nothing of it until we brought her home and she's almost spazzy, she gets around but it looks sad. Her legs tend to go a little everywhere when she walks and sometimes she flips a little. What are somethings that could have caused this and what are the chances of it getting better? This is my first bearded dragon and it was kind of a quick, spur of the moment thing but she came with her danks and lifts and everything, figured when they mentions the leg thing that it was just maybe a limp leg but it's more. Thanks you for input!!

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, it's nice that you're going to try to help this poor dragon. The symptoms are most likely from lack of calcium absorption which can develop either because little or no calcium was offered OR because the proper uvb bulbs were not used that enable the reptile to absorb the calcium.

Can you post pics of the dragon, also the set up and list the exact type + brand of lights you have ? That is very, very important in helping a lizard with MBD [ metabolic bone disease ] or low calcium. The most highly recommended bulb is the Reptisin 10.0 t5, it produces strong uvb. Another option is a Powersun or Megaray mercury vapor bulb which produce heat and uvb all in one. You might also take the dragon out in the sun [ sit in the grass ] but never in a glass tank.

There may be other nutritional disorders going on and even dehydration. A good multivitamin twice a week sprinkled very lightly on the food and also try oral hydration by using an eyeropper or syringe and dripping water on her snout. Sometimes it takes abou a minute before they realize that it's a drink so you can drip, stop, repeat until she drinks.

If you know of an experienced reptile vet it may be good to take her in, but don't just look up " exotic " vet. Many exotic vets have experience with rabbits, ferrets, birds but VERY little with bearded dragons. You must be sure they regularly see beardies. But for now , proper care + lights may help her out. There may be permanent problems but you never know how much progress she can make.

 

[NBGwen]

awww...it does sound like MBD. Poor sweetheart. I agree with AHBD, it is best to find a herp vet that can give a diagnosis for sure that way you know you are treating the correct issue. They can still live quite happy lives with MBD as long as it is treated and they receive the proper care.

 

[JessPets]

God bless you for taking her in

Sadly, it does sound like MBD, and you should take her to a herp vet as soon as possible. She needs a good UV light, as well as calcium and vitamins.

Try feeding her black solider fly larvae (also known as phoenix worms, calci-worms, or repti-worms), which are high in calcium.

 

[hedgieandfarmgirl]

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to ER

 

[hedgieandfarmgirl]

Here is the set up she came with, please any suggestion of what else she needs would be great! Will post what light they gave me soon

 

[hedgieandfarmgirl]

This is the "basking light" the lady mentioned it being a new 100W because that 200W burned out and mentioned that she seemed more active with one of them but I can't remember! The other one is a lid type light
The basking light says "Bayco intertek model 300,301,310,311-150W type R & 200W type"
The lid one says " zoo med Labratories item# LF-50 terrarium hood, 120v A.C. 60hz 60W max"

I'm guessing neither of these should suffice? I'm looking into the other options on these replies!

 

[hedgieandfarmgirl]

Update on today, took her outside and we sat out in 90 ish degree Southern California sun. She loved it! Her legs seemed less "derpy" and she was pretty stable running to get the worms from me, can't figure out how to post a video though.. What kind of vitamins/calcium is recommended to supplement?

 

[NBGwen]

If you get the Repashy Calcium one it has everything in it. https://www.store.repashy.com/calcium-plus-4-oz-bag.html

The hood on the enclosure would be for the UVB. Definitely get her a new one as soon as possible. Lack of proper UVB/UVA can cause MBD. I believe the most recommended one is the 10.0 T5 fluorescent bulb. If you get the T8, that's ok too, but you have to make sure it is closer to her. From the pictures it definitely looks like MBD and the more time you can get her outside in the nice warm natural sunlight the better! That's awesome you live where you can do that! I'm in Atlantic Canada...right now it's too cold/overcast for any sun to peep through lol!

The set up doesn't look bad, it would be better to have the UVB lengthwise so she gets more exposure from it. Having it bare and clean for now is actually optimal for her since she is having health issues. Fewer things to crawl over means less chance of injury too (and easier clean up for you!). When you see more improvement in her you can add things like a hammock or climbing log, etc.

 

[kingofnobbys]

In addition to the above comments

Please keep beardie and your family cat away from each other, not bashing cats , but you are running a very real risk that your cat will attack your bearded dragon one day out the blue and either maime it terribly and mostly likely lethally (nasty drug resistant viruses and bacteria in cat's mouths and on their fangs and claws).
I recommend ensuring good strick door closing protocols in your household to exclude the cat from the room , any room the beardie will be in . All to often people post sad stories about how their trusted cat one day broke into the beardie''s tank, hooked it with it's claws and "played" (tortured it) often to death or until it no longer moved (broken back or broken neck or internal injuries). Few cat attacked lizards live long after these attacks.

I can tell your rescued beardie (kudos to you for rescuing him and taking on his care) is very stressed by being anywhere near your cat , even seeing and hearing it will stress a lizard.

The cat and the beardie will never be friends and it's only a matter of time until things end in tears.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Here is the set up she came with, please any suggestion of what else she needs would be great! Will post what light they gave me soon

At the very least if you are not financial enough to buy a good T8 or T5 10%-12% UVB tube and reflector hood, move the UVB bulb's hood UNDER THE MESH TOP.

BTW mesh tops are no obstacle to a cat who is determined to get your lizard. A solid timber top will be cat proof.

Also If he's an adult, he needs a tank about 4ft long x 4ft wide (about 120 gallons).

 

[AHBD]

hat's great that you got her out in the sun ! Keep that up, always on the grass area like that where it's not TOO hot. And yes, careful with the cat. Keep up the good work, ope all goes well !

 

[NBGwen]

^^^ what kingofnobbys said. I never even thought to warn about the cat. My beardie lives in a locked enclosure that is too tall for the cats to jump on and they can't access it from any of the sides (it's 4' x '4 x 20" deep). I know my beardie isn't safe around them (they love 'watching' him closely...yeah). When I have him out, I make sure they can't get him (ie, I keep him on me). My beardie has grown up with them so they don't stress him out...I actually get the stink eye when I move him due to them coming too close (he has no clue). Your cat may not be mean or anything, but beardies are moving toys to them.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Update on today, took her outside and we sat out in 90 ish degree Southern California sun. She loved it! Her legs seemed less "derpy" and she was pretty stable running to get the worms from me, can't figure out how to post a video though.. What kind of vitamins/calcium is recommended to supplement?

I'd recommend a vet grade liquid calcium like CALCIVET , and you'll need to give this orally by syringe (into her mouth with a plastic tube on the end of the syringe and dose by her body weight).This is a lot less hit and miss than dusting her veg and greens and live insect and hoping for a boost in the insect's calcium content by gut loading then with calcium rich greens.

I'd recommend bumping up her tank temp a few degrees and also keeping her warm overnight to help boost her metabolism and immune system and maybe a boost in her day cycle to 16 hours per day.
Some SUPERVISED time on your lap on warm sunny days will do her heaps of good.