MBD help!

[kyleena29]

I had a beardie with MBD because I didn't realize that the uvb lamp hood I bought specifically for reptiles had a clear plastic lens over it plus I saw it was a 5.0 rather than the 10.0 after the fact. It was a lamp recommended in the pet store for the beardie. Anyhow we took her to the vet where they gave me calcium and gave her antibiotic shots. I honestly don't think she needed the antibiotics. She had gotten dehydrated and tests came back with high uric acid levels which we brought down with meds and showed no permanent kidney damage after retesting. I think all the shots and blood draws really made her worse. The vet also told me that stress can make it look like white blood cells are higher and yet they might not actually have an infection or they could have an infection and the blood test won't show it. The only thing I think blood tests are good for are to check uric acid, the liver and the calcium serum test which checks only the calcium and yet it costs the same as a regular blood work test. If you suspect MBD then you're already doing what is needed to fix it and the test will only answer your question. It doesn't hurt to give liquid calcium or increase the calcium (as long as it has no D3). An x-ray could help to see if she has MBD but again it could be affecting her neurologically rather than show up in the bones right away. Again the process getting an xray can cause stress too. I would get her checked for parasites for sure though and start there. I'm not an expert, I could be wrong about some of this but it's just my opinion from experience and information from a vet that was experienced but not an expert with bearded dragons. She was a very nice vet but I think she was wrong on some things. I have read a lot of others experiences with vets too and some have the same opinions. If possible you should do some research and try to find a good experienced vet in your area and ask lots of questions.

 

[tatianaaraclli]

gosh, that sucks. thanks for sharing. i have been doing a lot of research on vets near me but i can't seem to find one that i like, or trust for that matter. maybe i'll call and ask some questions and see if my opinion changes.


now i have a new question. i really do think it's MBD but it looks like she is starting to shed her head which makes sense why she hissed at me yesterday when i went to spend some time with her and she bulged her eyes this morning which really freaked me out even though i know it is normal. along with some skin flaking off on her beard. but at first i thought maybe it was just the baby food that i missed when cleaning her up but i don't think it is now. anyways, my question is if this could somehow just be because she is shedding. i don't really think it is but i'm questioning myself now.

 

[AHBD]

I agree with the previous poster that a vet visit can cause issues and may be of little benefit if the testing + treatments are stressful to the dragon.

In your dragon's cse, a little time with increased calcium and better uvb exposure may be the best thing right now. And yes, sheds can cause some grumpiness.

 

[kyleena29]

I don't think shedding would cause her to not use her limbs though or a swollen ankle. Has she been checked for parasites at the vet? Parasites can sometimes prevent calcium from being absorbed.

 

[tatianaaraclli]

no, she hasn't. i'm still looking for a vet. i do want to get her checked though. once i find one, at what point would you go? since she just started shedding and is very grumpy on top of the MBD. do you know what parasites in particular cause it?

 

[tatianaaraclli]

i'm still so creeped out by the bulging is it normal for her to be bulging a lot?

 

[kyleena29]

Some will suck the blood and some eat the food. I don't know specifics but if there are too many neither is good. For a fecal test I would go to any that will see reptiles. Just be aware of if she has too many parasites. Ask for the count and what meds they would use. Some don't know of better meds that are less harmful. Again that is from my experience as well. Like I said, seek 2nd opinions here before treating. There are several wonderful people on this site that are very knowledgeable and helpful. What area are you in? Someone might be able to direct you to a good vet. You should get fecal done yearly. The eye bulging does look alien like doesn't it lol. My little one used to do it whenever I sprayed him. I think they are just stretching the skin for shedding or just feel the need.

 

[tatianaaraclli]

it is so creepy, i haven't been this creeped out my something in a long time. i did know this was normal and stuff but even before i got her i was like "ohh that is creepy. i guess i will have to get used to it" haha jokes on me.

i know they will need fresh feces but will they need anything else? do i even bring her? silly questions i know. and i'm in the Kansas City area

 

[kyleena29]

Hopefully someone familiar with your area can suggest someone. You could call around and see if any will do the test without an exam so you don't have to bring her. I would make sure it's pretty fresh for best results. I think within 6 hours but be sure to ask. How have her stools been?

 

[tatianaaraclli]

definitely will call around. thank you, you and everybody on here have been so helpful.

they have been pretty good. she normally poops everyday and is nice and solid with a pretty big white part with lots of liquid but it smells pretty bad. she just pooped today in the bath for the first time with me and was her normal poop. she didn't poop yesterday but the day before that she did but it was super runny, not solid at all but i figured that is pretty normal all things considered.

 

[AHBD]

Kyleena I know that shedding wouldn't have anything to do with her possible MBD/swollen ankle. I was referring to the hissing + grumpiness.

 

[kyleena29]

Oh I know AHBD, I was referring to the post above yours near the end to the question about shedding. I suppose it could look like I was replying to your post. You have been on this forum for a long time and was one of those I was referring to as "wonderful knowledgeable people" here. I see your name a lot helping out so many. You have helped me out in the past too as well as Tracie. I'm thankful this forum has been around so long. Sorry if there was any confusion.

 

[AHBD]

O.K, sorry about that. I contributed to the confusion there.

 

[kyleena29]

So I did find a site selling silkworms.
http://www.snakemuseum.com/feeders/1896-silkworms.html#/149-feeder_size-medium/140-feeder_qty-25ct
I have never ordered from this site but I'm thinking of buying the solarmeter 6.5 from there too. Anyone use that site before?