Does my bearded dragon have MBD?!

[MattBuckley45]

Hello everyone,

I’m concerned my beardie might have MBD. There are no other signs of it other than both sides of his jaw. Which look to drop slightly. When I pull his jaw back I can see it kind of curves. PLEASE let me know what you think. Any questions let me know.

Thanks.

Hope those images work. Let me know if any issues.

 

[KarrieRee]

Please post more body shots - what are you using for a UVB? Brand and bulb and is it a coil or tube?
Why do you think he has MBD- is he having issues eating?
Karrie

 

[MattBuckley45]

Please post more body shots - what are you using for a UVB? Brand and bulb and is it a coil or tube?
Why do you think he has MBD- is he having issues eating?
Karrie

He is acting completely fine in himself. He looks a little dark in those photos - it’s just the lighting. I use a tube Exo Terra UVB 200 and all heatings are correct. There are no other signs then his jaw in the photos. On both sides his jaw kind of sloops down and when I pull it back it’s kind of Orange ish. The bottom side of his jaw does definitely seem to drop on both sides. Eating completely fine and does exercise.

 

[KarrieRee]

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_uvb200.php is this what your using?
Karrie

 

[MattBuckley45]

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_uvb200.php is this what your using?
Karrie

Thanks for your quick replies. No I am using The tube one, this one. The 36 inches across the tank. However I do wonder if he has MBD along his jaw from when he never used to eat his veggies. He would never eat greens for, well the first couple years of his life really. Could that have contributed to it - if it even is MBD. Hopefully I’m just an over worrying pet owner.

https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/reptile-uvb-200-tube/

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok I have not heard of that brand what is it for tube either the T 8 or a T 5 and where in the tank is it? top of screen or inside the tank? I can recommend a good bulb to replace that one w/ - if your bulb you have now is a T 8 it should be replaced every 6 months if its a T 5 once a year but I do recommend this bulb the Arcadia 12% -- they are very good - I am going to have 2 others on here look at your dragons jaw -- how old is he? Also distance plays a key role in those bulbs thats why I am asking
Karrie

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, I agree that your dragon looks fine and from your description of his activity it seems that way as well. I have never heard of that uvb bulb, I've used the Exo terra 10.0 t8 for years but never the 200. I wonder why it's not for sale in the U.S.

 

[MattBuckley45]

Thanks for your replies guy. Yes I change it every six months. The photos don’t do it justice really, both sides of her under jaw kind of drops down and does feel soft. Her jaw doesn’t look like other bearded dragon jaws. I’ll post some more photos to see if that helps.

I hope you can see it kind of drops on his under jaw.

Thank you everyone.

 

[MattBuckley45]

Maybe these will help. Think they are a little bit clearer.

 

[KarrieRee]

I see that it is dropping I wonder if its just her-- if no other signs of MBD are showing then I am thinking its not MBD but AHBD would need to determine that -- is your UVB inside the tank? It should be if its the T 8 they are not strong enough to go thru a fine screen mesh if that is what your using and it should be approx 6-8 inches from basking decor--- if its the T 5 bulb it can be on top of the screen mesh but the screen needs to be wide holed like a dime and distance for that would be 8-10 inches -- your UVB plays a huge role in MBD ---
Karrie

 

[MattBuckley45]

I see that it is dropping I wonder if its just her-- if no other signs of MBD are showing then I am thinking its not MBD but AHBD would need to determine that -- is your UVB inside the tank? It should be if its the T 8 they are not strong enough to go thru a fine screen mesh if that is what your using and it should be approx 6-8 inches from basking decor--- if its the T 5 bulb it can be on top of the screen mesh but the screen needs to be wide holed like a dime and distance for that would be 8-10 inches -- your UVB plays a huge role in MBD ---
Karrie

This is my UVB setup. I understand it does and I tend to keep on top of UVB but it does seem strange and it does seem a bit almost crusted, and looks a bit orange when I pull her jaw back.

Thanks again.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so is it on the back wall? And does it have a reflector on the fixture?
Karrie

 

[MattBuckley45]

Ok so is it on the back wall? And does it have a reflector on the fixture?
Karrie

It dangles high up against the back wall as the fixings are snapped but definitely covers the whole Vivarium. What is a reflector?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[KarrieRee]

A reflector is a shiny piece behind the fixture -- it directs the UVB rays downward to the dragon -- it also intensifies the rays --- my recommendation is for you to get the UVB directly overhead the basking decor and get this for your fixture
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/arcadia-t8-fluorescent-reflectors/
You will see a difference in his behavior and eating
Karrie

 

[AHBD]

Matt it would be best to suspend the uvb bulb from the top but not back against the wall. At the side angle the uvb can really bother their eyes over time. So if you can get it attached to the top that would be an improvement.

And sometimes if you look at something + analyze it to long you see problems that aren't really there, I think his mouth is fine.