HELP PLEASE!!

[Michellelois]

I am very concerned about out new family member. At first he looked so healthy, even molted and became even more vibrant in his coloring. Now we have had him/her for about 4 weeks and a couple of days ago the poor thing started having issues with it's back legs. I got online and found this forum, and after reading some of your very helpful information I am angry that the pet store we got him from didn't give us some of this information. Now I'm hoping you have some suggestions and we will be able to help the poor thing. At first we thought maybe he had an impaction, but we game him a warm bath and he seems to be pooping just fine. Now I'm wondering if it's a lighting issue?? We have both a uva and uvb bulb, but I don't know which kind they are and they had us alternating them 12 hours for the basking light and having the uvb light on at night. Do you think it could be our issue?? If it is, does the poor little guy have a chance at getting use back in his legs?? Right now they aren't stiff and all the way back, but he just doesn't seem to be able to figure out how to use them correctly. We are heart broken.

 

[Tylerman]

Can you please post pictures of him and his set up. I will try my best to help. Also name the brand of your lighting, wattage, temps of tank (warm and cool side), what and how often you feed, size (length) and age of him. I know this is a lot but I may be able to help with that information. I also highly reccomend buying, The Bearded Dragon Manual (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1882770595/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1441732743&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=bearded+dragon+manual&dpPl=1&dpID=51yl8WvbwoL&ref=plSrch) and go under new and used. A heck of a lot cheaper. I paid like $5 for mine. Tons and tons of information in there even if you're new or experienced at keeping dragons. Hope I can help. I will respond asap once you post all that I asked for

Tyler
Owner of Charzard, a 6 year old male, and Trisha, a three year old female.

 

[leah1024]

I would say to just take it to the vet. Some of the simplest things can be reversed if are treated eight away. Something that can cause this is eating something that is to big. Even if it pooped it may have ate it a short time before that. It actually puts pressure on there spine and cause paralysis. Something to try and check is to place him on a towel so his belly sag's through to release the pressure but I think a vet is in order here instead of guessing then it be to late to fix. Also beardys sleep at night no lights. Basking light and reptisun 10.0 is what I use for 12hrs through the day. Like from 9am to 9 pm. I'm sorry I hope I was able to help a little but definitely follow this sites info on husbandry for ur beardy I've had no issues best site ever!!

 

[Michellelois]

I can't figure out how to post pictures of him here. LOL. He's about 7 inches long from nose to end of tail, and he fits in the palm of our hand. We had him in sand until I googled his symptoms the other day, and I removed that just incase. We bought a all living things 20 gallon beginners kit to start off with because that's what they recommended. Grrrrr. It included a uvb light and basking light. Their instructions were to alternate the 2 for 12 hours each, along with an under the tank heater. Double grrrrr. We have been feeding him calcium dusted medium/large crickets two times a day, again because that's what they sold us and told us that's what to do. They also sold us some pellets and some pink gel stuff to mix with a chopped up kale, cilantro, chard mix. Triple grrr.... so I tried what leah suggested (giving his belly room to take off pressure.) after reading that suggestion and seeing online that we were feeding him the wrong size, and that seemed to get movement back to his legs, this was yesterday. BUT, the movement just isn't right so I found myself here reading how wrong we've been told to to all of it and I am just SICK. My son is horrified. I should have done more research first, but they really seemed to know their stuff. :/

 

[Tylerman]

Do you have a calcium light? I have a repti sun 5.0, going to buy a repti sun 10.0 soon. That should help with bones and stuff. What are his temperatures? They should be at 95-110 on the hot side and 75-85 on the cool side. You can post pictures using User Image Uploader. Just search that in the website or under one of the tabs. I just keep that open under my Google tabs 24/7 so I don't lose it. Keep us posted. Thanks! Don't worry, its not your fault he's sick. I rescued a completely neglected dragon who was extremely skinny and only had food every two days if he was lucky. And he's doing much better since I got him. He is five or six. Can't remember, lol. So, keep up the great work!!

 

[Tylerman]

And get that book I mentioned. It will save you a lot of time from researching and illnesses and everything. Highly reccomend it!

 

[Michellelois]

His cool side of the tank is 83, and the hot side is 95.

 

[Michellelois]

I just looked, of course the uvb light they sold us is the one everyone says to stay away from. Going to a different pet store now to change that. also, they never told us to not mount the uvb over the screen because it could result in lower levels getting to him. THANK GOODNESS for this site!! So, do you think he could get regular use back in his legs if I make those changes fast??

 

[Tylerman]

Possibly!! Keep me posted! Can't wait to hear about him. I love this website

 

[leah1024]

My little guys that size like to be under 110 degrees basket but I have it layered so if they want less they can. Take the temp from the highest spot closest to the light and make it 110 then allow places for him to go lower that way he can choose. I have two 2month olds a5 month old two 1 1/2 year olds a 3yr old and a 2yr old. And I have had no problems so far raising them this way. Hope he is ok. I just noticed no one had answered u yet so I wanted to at least help I was at work so I only had a few minutes when I saw ur post. Hope he gets better. I am currently helping out for free at a pet store because I didn't like the care the beardys there were getting so I know how that happens. They should know what they r doing but they don't. I think if u do all the things every one said that he has a great chase of getting his leg use back.

 

[Michellelois]

Ok, so I went and got the reptisun 10 uvb light and switched stores and am buying smaller crickets. I also have been giving him warm baths everyday and taking him outside for extra sunshine. So far I'm not seeing any huge differences. But, he does seem to be bringing his back legs up more to his body and using his front arms to actually hold himself up, instead of pulling himself around. So, that's better right?? UGH. Any thoughts of more I can do? Or how long it might be before I will see if what I am doing is really helping him?? Thanks for everything.

 

[leah1024]

It mite take another week or so till u notice I would keep doing what ur doing they seem to take a while to improve when something like this happens as long as he is eating and pooping and doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Does he bask? Mine lay around all day long and bask. They are always under basking light so make sure the uvb is above them not just on one side if u have to put it on basking side. Did u figure out how to upload a picture yet. If so send a pic of how ur set up looks