dragon limping due to improper habitat

Beardie name(s)
erika
My bearded dragon started limping in the beginning of june, we thought she just hurt herself, but soon after the problem repeated on her front leg. i had no idea how to help her and that is the main reason i am posting this thread to spread info for other bearded parents. the issue was IMPROPER HABITAT that can appearently cause limping (i knew that habitat is important but since her only symptom was limping didn’t think that was the issue). i was unable to find that information on the internet and since the only specialist in my country was away did not know how to help her.
Fortunately i did change her terarrium to a bigger one (less hot) and she fully recovered in less than a week. please take that into account and dont just assume its MBD. their nervous system is sensible and improper temperature can make it hard for them to move limbs (this is the best way i can explain it).
yesterday her symptoms repeated and i assume it is for the same reason, the weather just drastically dropped here and she may be too cold. her basking temp is 34 celcius and the rest of terrarium is 22-26. i instantly lowered the heating lamp because in the summer it was higher up so basking temp was around 29 when it got colder.took her to the vet she said she is healthy so we will wait if symptoms improve now with the lowered lamp and i really hope so.
If anyone has any extra info about those nerve issues cause by improper habitat please share all i can find on internet is the “stargazing” cases of neurological disorders. also any tips or experiences with similar issues
I am attaching a picture of erika a week ago before the limping :)
 

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KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
My bearded dragon started limping in the beginning of june, we thought she just hurt herself, but soon after the problem repeated on her front leg. i had no idea how to help her and that is the main reason i am posting this thread to spread info for other bearded parents. the issue was IMPROPER HABITAT that can appearently cause limping (i knew that habitat is important but since her only symptom was limping didn’t think that was the issue). i was unable to find that information on the internet and since the only specialist in my country was away did not know how to help her.
Fortunately i did change her terarrium to a bigger one (less hot) and she fully recovered in less than a week. please take that into account and dont just assume its MBD. their nervous system is sensible and improper temperature can make it hard for them to move limbs (this is the best way i can explain it).
yesterday her symptoms repeated and i assume it is for the same reason, the weather just drastically dropped here and she may be too cold. her basking temp is 34 celcius and the rest of terrarium is 22-26. i instantly lowered the heating lamp because in the summer it was higher up so basking temp was around 29 when it got colder.took her to the vet she said she is healthy so we will wait if symptoms improve now with the lowered lamp and i really hope so.
If anyone has any extra info about those nerve issues cause by improper habitat please share all i can find on internet is the “stargazing” cases of neurological disorders. also any tips or experiences with similar issues
I am attaching a picture of erika a week ago before the limping :)
Surface basking temps and UVB are crucial to the overall health of the dragon-- improper lighting will cause all kinds of health issues -- surface basking temps should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer 34 is 93 F -- her surface basking temp should be 95-100 F in order to start digestion - the 22-26 is too cool for the rest of the tank - middle of the tank should be 90's F and cool side of the tank 80 ish F -- stargazing is part of adenovirus -- what are you using for a UVB brand and bulb please
 

dasheissterika

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
erika
Surface basking temps and UVB are crucial to the overall health of the dragon-- improper lighting will cause all kinds of health issues -- surface basking temps should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer 34 is 93 F -- her surface basking temp should be 95-100 F in order to start digestion - the 22-26 is too cool for the rest of the tank - middle of the tank should be 90's F and cool side of the tank 80 ish F -- stargazing is part of adenovirus -- what are you using for a UVB brand and bulb please
thanks for responding, im really confused about the temps cause everyone says something else. i was told 17-22 for cool part which is 62-71F. the UVB bulb is repti planet 125W. if your thinking MBD i thought so too but got her scanned and she has healthy bones
thanks again for helping me out!
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
thanks for responding, im really confused about the temps cause everyone says something else. i was told 17-22 for cool part which is 62-71F. the UVB bulb is repti planet 125W. if your thinking MBD i thought so too but got her scanned and she has healthy bones
thanks again for helping me out!
Not at this time about the MBD but the Repti planet I have never heard of please get a good UVB these are what are recommended on this forum -- Arcadia pro T 5 12% bulb -- Zoo Med or a Sunblaster Nano Tech -- what country are you from please? 62-71 F will send your dragon into brumation -- what are you using for a basking bulb brand and bulb please
 

dasheissterika

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
erika
Not at this time about the MBD but the Repti planet I have never heard of please get a good UVB these are what are recommended on this forum -- Arcadia pro T 5 12% bulb -- Zoo Med or a Sunblaster Nano Tech -- what country are you from please? 62-71 F will send your dragon into brumation -- what are you using for a basking bulb brand and bulb please
Im slovenian, its and all in one bulb and the brand is in all of the pet stores here. the worker recommended it to me when i bought it
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Im slovenian, its and all in one bulb and the brand is in all of the pet stores here. the worker recommended it to me when i bought it
Ok so mvb good ones are powersun and mega ray but you want a back up uvb- long tube fixture- mvb's are good for heat but not so much uvb- they are hard to get as far as the rays - sitting on a screen those rays are blocked 30%-- then you haft to worry about surface basking temps - it's easier to have separate basking bulb and good uvb- let me know how i can help
 

SkittlesK

Juvie Member
Beardie name(s)
Kamo
Ok so mvb good ones are powersun and mega ray but you want a back up uvb- long tube fixture- mvb's are good for heat but not so much uvb- they are hard to get as far as the rays - sitting on a screen those rays are blocked 30%-- then you haft to worry about surface basking temps - it's easier to have separate basking bulb and good uvb- let me know how i can help
I use a solar glo 125W

I've never heard of repti planet. But it might be okay.
It doesn't look like MBD. I think it affects their whole body.

Is his foot broken.?
He looks very healthy otherwise...
 

dasheissterika

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
erika
I use a solar glo 125W

I've never heard of repti planet. But it might be okay.
It doesn't look like MBD. I think it affects their whole body.

Is his foot broken.?
He looks very healthy otherwise...
she is currently getting medication for broken legs but vet doesn’t think its broken she just perscribed it as a painkiller. she also doesn’t think its gout because her feet are not swollen. im 90% sure its from wrong temperatures cause it happened before with the same symptoms.
ill ask about lamps in pet store, its my best bet since they dont sell solar glo here. i think the issue is that her basking area is the only area in the tank where its warm
 

dasheissterika

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
erika
Ok so mvb good ones are powersun and mega ray but you want a back up uvb- long tube fixture- mvb's are good for heat but not so much uvb- they are hard to get as far as the rays - sitting on a screen those rays are blocked 30%-- then you haft to worry about surface basking temps - it's easier to have separate basking bulb and good uvb- let me know how i can help
the vet thinks the temperatures are okay for brumating season, but we cannot let her brumate before we know what is wrong with her foot it is definitely a bit swollen so we are trying to increase her temperatures. at this point i am completely lost and dobt know what to do, a simple change in her enviroment improved her condition last time and now with the same symptoms there is not the same solution. could it be vitamin B deficiency that causes her to struggle? gout? could it be that forcing her not to brumate is the reason?
i am attaching a picture you can see her left leg is a but swollen and she wont step on it.
IMG_7329.jpeg
 

dasheissterika

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
erika
she definitely eats less now but she does eat and she climbed on the basking spot now, definitely more difficult than otherwise but it was comforting to see she still can do it. i leave for uni in 10 days i need her to be okay
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
she definitely eats less now but she does eat and she climbed on the basking spot now, definitely more difficult than otherwise but it was comforting to see she still can do it. i leave for uni in 10 days i need her to be okay
I would get your lighting in order before you leave -- surface basking temps and UVB--- temps should be 95-100 F and the UVB a good long tube fixture - if you want links to UVB's and basking bulbs please ask I can post them --- the swollen foot / let is there a hammock in the tank?
 

dasheissterika

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
erika
I would get your lighting in order before you leave -- surface basking temps and UVB--- temps should be 95-100 F and the UVB a good long tube fixture - if you want links to UVB's and basking bulbs please ask I can post them --- the swollen foot / let is there a hammock in the tank?
there is a hammock if she sprained her foot the medication should help and i covered up the tank so the heat stays in longer also lowered the basking light so the basking spot temperature is 36-38 now
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
there is a hammock if she sprained her foot the medication should help and i covered up the tank so the heat stays in longer also lowered the basking light so the basking spot temperature is 36-38 now
So good on the basking temps-- gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood-- was a blood test done to rule that out-- improper UVB is going to cause a lot of health issues - the meds wont help w/ the sprained foot - what is she on for meds? certain meds will cause dehydration --- you need to get the UVB in order or you will have continues health issues --
 

dasheissterika

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
erika
So good on the basking temps-- gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood-- was a blood test done to rule that out-- improper UVB is going to cause a lot of health issues - the meds wont help w/ the sprained foot - what is she on for meds? certain meds will cause dehydration --- you need to get the UVB in order or you will have continues health issues --
she does have UVB and the one they recommended at the store. I am confident its sufficient we just have different brands here. we are dojng blood test next week if this does not help. the meds are painkillers and antiinflamatory
 

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