Hind Legs not moving!!!! HELP ASAP PLZZZZZ

[Kera]

This is my first forum post ever so please bare with me a bit...

I am a proud new "Mother" to a rather small beardie...My lil man is about 8 months old and is only 8 in long...he was a take in from a co-worker who didn't have the right time he needed...He (Dusty) has been perfectly fine n then all of a sudden he lost all movement in his hind legs...I have done the warm water just incase of impaction. hand feeding meal worms to him and even dripping water into his mouth but he is just looking worse...I really dont know what to do....He was a surprise for my boys for xmas but u know how kids can be...well...long story short is...he wasn't dropped or hurt in any way, and is very much loved....he has stopped eatingand the only time i can get him to eat it by making him mad so he opens up....he opens his mouth every now n then and will look from right to left rather oddly too and fro some stranger reason he keeps looking like he is dead and keeps flipping over to his back as well...

Scared & confused!!!!
Kera

 

[pogvitt]

Has he defecated? Because if not, he is likely impacted. You are doing the right thing by giving him baths - make sure the water is lukewarm, shoulder-high, and make him soak for 10-20 minutes several times a day (the more, the better). Also STOP feeding him mealworms if he isn't passing them - they are notorious for causing impaction. In fact, do NOT force feed solids if he isn't having bowel movements - this will only worsen the problem. Make sure that he has proper temperatures so that he can digest his food (basking 100-105, warm side 90-100, cool side around 80). Lastly,in dealing with minor impactions I have given mango puree mixed with olive oil to my dragon by dripping it on his nose - he usually will lick at it, and it seems to help. You can also give gentle tummy massages to your dragon while he is bathing.

Also, what type of substrate do you have?

If at all possible, take him to a vet ASAP

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree, for now, I would give only soft foods until he goes to the bathroom. He could be impacted from previous substrate.
Also, it could be metabolic bone disease as well, from improper UVB & calcium intake.
Are you using a UVB light, & if so, what type & brand? A fluorescent tube bulb or a compact/coil light?
Will you be using calcium supplementation for him as well, 5 times per week?

If you have some pictures for us, please post them so we can see what he looks like. Thanks.

Tracie

 

[Kera]

My lil guy has gotten much worse...he now is not moving at all...he looks like he is dead most of the time and every now and then he will lift his head, open his mouth, thrust his tongue out a bit, then look like he is gagging...His color hasn't changed at all...he is 8 months old and only 8" long...his substrate is carpet so there isn't anything for him to accidentally ingest, only food...as for the calcium yes I dust the worms along with his crickets too...for his lights I use: ReptiGlo 5.0 UVB bulb, the HeatGlo Infrared Heat lamp for heat and a UVA basking bulb...he gets a bath every other day n a good belly rub during each of them to help with possibility of any impaction...I do the same with my Chinese Water Dragon (Nieyrn (sounds like Neer-rin))...and he is as healthy as a horse...i talked to friends of mine who have had reptiles in the past and they are thinking maybe its respiratory or maybe kidney's...but Idk...I'm scared and not sure what to do...

 

[spurlee01]

It sounds to me like he is very impacted. At this point, he may need a vet to give him an enema if he's to have any chance. There are a couple of things you can try with minor impactions: baby food, applesauce, or pumpkin with olive oil. Also, if you do not get him to a vet, he probably needs baths a couple of times a day right now.

 

[pogvitt]

When is the last time your beardie defected? Even bathing and laxative administration may not be able to resolve a severe impaction, and you will need to seek veterinary advice.

The sudden loss of movement in the hind legs is not usually considered a complication of a respiratory infection or kidney trouble - it is a symptom of trauma (damage to the spine) or impaction (food bolus pressing on the spine). In the case of the latter, this can sometimes be resolved and your beardie may regain use of his hind legs.

Until you are able to see a vet, keep him warm and hydrated.

I hope he gets better!

 

[munchkins9802]

Hi do not give him the meal worms-they will impact young bearded dragons. The Repti glo--is that a tube or coil? the repti GLO really is not any good you want the repti sun 10.0--you can get inexpensive at petmountain.com
Also no need for a red light it disturbs their sleep. Lights should be on a 12 hr cycle--12 on 12 off. You want the UVB light and a BRight white basking bulb next to that.
How are you taking temps in his cage/

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is your dragon doing?
Were you able to get him to a vet today?
The Reptiglo 5 tube bulb is virtually no UVB at all. So, I believe that his problems are caused by possibly several things. It could be impaction, an injury, or metabolic bone disease complications.
A bright white halogen or a regular house hold light bulb are better choices fo basking bulbs instead of a red bulb.
As suggested, the Reptisun 10 tube bulb is the bulb that needs to be used for the best UVB emissions.
Do you have any pictures of him?

Tracie

 

[Kera]

Hey all, no sadly I have not been able to get into the vets today...he is not doing well at all...he is just laying there waisting away...it hurts so much to just stand by while he hurts like this...I can't get into his vet till Monday due to the holiday... I hope he can pull through till then...I have only had him since this past Sunday...I got him from a good friend but I know she takes very well of her babies...Dusty was meant to be a surprise to my to young boys for Christmas...I took him in for her because she didn't have the time due to work and she3 felt bad so I now have him...My heart is breaking for him...he is just laying there...sniff sniff

P.s.
I'm still very new to this, and would love to show y'all what he looks like but I'm not sure as to how the photo thing works...any help on that would be great...

thanx,
Kera

 

[Jiffy]

I am sorry that the little guy still is not doing well. I dont have any advice, but figured I could at least answer the part about how to post a pic
You need an acct with somewhere like photobucket. (it is free at photobucket.com) and load your pic to photobucket. PB will assign the pic an IMG code. Copy that IMG code and then paste it in your post here.

 

[Kera]

Sad news everyone...Dusty has moved on...I haven't the heart to let my boys know so I just told them that he is sleep because he isn't feeling very good and that he has a tummy ache...and that he will be going to the vet on Friday morning at 7:00 am and should be fine after his medicine shot from the doctor...meaning now I will be on hunt to find a "new" Dusty...god I feel horrid for having had to tell them that but I can't break the hearts of a 7 yr old and a 4 yr old...am I evil for not being honest with them or is it better that I kinda go a nicer way around it? I really feel so bad...I absolutely hate not being able to have helped him...all I was able to was give him water and help him be comfortable through it all...yet I still feel bad for not being able to save the lil one...when I can i will post photos of our lil one...

 

[pogvitt]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, my heart goes out to you

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh I am so sorry about Dusty, that you lost him. Gosh, that is terrible.
Well, that is a hard call as to whether or not to tell your boys or to tell them. They may ask more questions, if they can't see him.
Rest assured though, he most likely had problems before you ever brought him home.

Let us know if you need anything.
Tracie

 

[munchkins9802]

Sorry for your loss. Personally, I would tell your children. At age 7, he will be able to tell if a replacement is the same one or not. Even the 4 yr old, may be able to tell the difference.
And please consider the changes mentioned here when you do get a new one as mentioned the reptiglo does NOT provide a proper UVB for growth and to digest food properly they need a good UVB bulb and use a white basking bulb for extra heat during the day and CHE (ceramic heat emitter) if your house is cold at night