Gout..possibly?

[Ember09]

Hey everyone. I feel like the swelling has gotten worse. My girl has swollen arms, and I feel like it's all just been getting worse. She waddles. She doesn't walk like a normal bearded dragon should. She can't move her two front legs, they are basically limp. She still feels them, from what we think. Cause she tries to move away when legs are being touched. I'm just so worried about her. We aren't in a good position to bring her to the vet, since it's so much money for the moment. And we have already brought her there once..when only her toes were swollen. The vet said he thinks she has that one bone problem thingy I forgot what it was. But now, it only seems to have gotten worse. Is there absolutely anything I can do in the mean time..? She can hardly keep her head up, because the lack of balance. She doesn't really want to eat much, nor drink. I feel like I'm failing her,but I love her so much and I'm so worried for her. Is there anything I should know, and should do. Anything about gout. Everyone has said it looks like she has it, I've thought that before vet visit, told the guy and he said no to it still. She is a juvenile beardie, which I'm sure that just adds more problems onto this list. I'm just worried sick for this poor girl, I'm sure she's in so much pain. And I want to help her, without the possibility of putting her down.. please help asap.

 

[Sue E.]

Did the vet draw blood from her for a uric acid level? If not, can you ask for bloodwork to be done?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Are you using a good UVB light right now? What type & brand of UVB are you using?
If you did have a blood test, please post the results here so we can see what the levels are.
She isn't able to support herself on all fours to walk or climb now? Bless her.
Are you getting some food into her at all, if not, try getting some organic chicken or turkey baby
food, & some squash or sweet potato baby food & mix it together. Use a plastic dropper or syringe
to drop the food onto the end of her nose.
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[Ember09]

Did the vet draw blood from her for a uric acid level? If not, can you ask for bloodwork to be done?

I'm not sure what the vet did, they brought her to the back of the vet office area to look at her, not infront of us. But he came back, saying she doesn't have it. But literally everyone that has seen her, has said it looks like gout. For whenever we do the next vet visit, I could ask, but I'm really nor sure.

 

[Ember09]

Hello,

Are you using a good UVB light right now? What type & brand of UVB are you using?
If you did have a blood test, please post the results here so we can see what the levels are.
She isn't able to support herself on all fours to walk or climb now? Bless her.
Are you getting some food into her at all, if not, try getting some organic chicken or turkey baby
food, & some squash or sweet potato baby food & mix it together. Use a plastic dropper or syringe
to drop the food onto the end of her nose.
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

Hello! I'm pretty sure this is the light we are using.. not 100% sure though. Also, we did not have a blood test. That vet did nothing infront of us. And we've gotten a little bit of food in her. I think one day over the weekend she ate some greens, because she had some calcium powder around her mouth. But, at the same time it doesn't exactly mean she ate. She had ate two bugs though, that were recommended to me. She only seems to have a little interest in bugs currently, but as her legs probably get worse in the inside of her body, she seems less active. Making her not eating.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello! I'm pretty sure this is the light we are using.. not 100% sure though. Also, we did not have a blood test. That vet did nothing infront of us. And we've gotten a little bit of food in her. I think one day over the weekend she ate some greens, because she had some calcium powder around her mouth. But, at the same time it doesn't exactly mean she ate. She had ate two bugs though, that were recommended to me. She only seems to have a little interest in bugs currently, but as her legs probably get worse in the inside of her body, she seems less active. Making her not eating.

please replace the UVB fixture and bulb w/ a good quality one- I am posting 3 UVB's please get one as soon as possible -- in the meantime contact the vet and ask for the report on the visit - any blood work done Xrays etc --- have them emailed to you -- then post on the thread so Tracie can take a look -- if the dragon does have gout please no more roaches for staple insect get some BSFL or crickets or silk worms - roaches have a high concentrate of uric acid -- this is what causes gout
for a 40 + gallon tank I am posting 24' fixtures
Zoo Med Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 10.0 High Output Terrarium Hood this one comes w/ the correct bulb you need

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

or this one you will need to change the bulb out to a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb and you want the 2 ft 24"

SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp

Buy the SunBlaster NanoTech T5 HO - Fluorescent Fixture with 6400K Lamp at Hydrobuilder.com. Shop the entire line of SunBlaster products along with thousands of hydroponics supplies on sale now.

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I would recommend getting her some Oxbow Critical care Herbivore / Omnivore and feed her by syringe - Tracie has good syringes on her website 3ML Syringes you can find the Oxbow on Amazon -- w/ her not eating at all we need to get some nutrition in her -- make sure she is hydrated by dropping water on her nose to see if she will lick - when you get the UVB please post back on here and I will help you get it placed for the screen on the tank - it will determine where the UVB goes

 

[Sue E.]

I'm not sure what the vet did, they brought her to the back of the vet office area to look at her, not infront of us. But he came back, saying she doesn't have it. But literally everyone that has seen her, has said it looks like gout. For whenever we do the next vet visit, I could ask, but I'm really nor sure.

Yeah, call the office and ask if you can have the results of any bloodwork they did. They are supposed to give it to you. If they didnt do bloodwork, Id ask them to do routine bloodwork and a uric acid level.