MBD???

[vrenee1018]

Hello all! I haven't been on in a very long time, but I've recently noticed my beardie spine has started to curve. We got her when she was around 6 years old and though she was claimed to be healthy, I could tell there was something a little off about her. Her coordination mostly. She lives in a 65 gallon tank, a mercury bulb on one side and a regular 3imch T5 uvb on the other. Her hot side is around 95-98 degrees and her cool side is around 72 degrees. She gets fed both greens and buggies, mostly greens though. And I sprinkle calcium on her food every other day. Lately she hasn't been eating as much and goes crazy in her tank, or sometimes she is the completely opposite and is a lazy butt...but still doesn't eat as much. I've posted a picture for your thoughts. I would like some advice on to care for her here on out. She doesn't look to be I'm pain, but I do worry that she isn't eating like she should be.

Edit: I posted a better picture and I'm thinking it's not as bad as I thought it was when I saw her earlier. Her spine has slightly curved, but not as drastically.

 

[xp29]

Is her spine always like that, or is it just the way she is sutting?

 

[vrenee1018]

Is her spine always like that, or is it just the way she is sutting?

Her spine has been like this for the past couple of weeks.

 

[KarrieRee]

Her spine has been like this for the past couple of weeks.

So its always been like this or just started the last couple of weeks? How old is the tube UVB and does she sit under it- where is it in the tank --- top of screen or in the tank ?

 

[vrenee1018]

So its always been like this or just started the last couple of weeks? How old is the tube UVB and does she sit under it- where is it in the tank --- top of screen or in the tank ?

The bulb is only a couple of months old and it sits on top of the screen, but the hammock is less than inches away from it. I'm thinking of removing the screen on that side of the tank now, though.

 

[xp29]

Yeah that's not good, please make sure her uvb is long tube and close enough to her. She needs calcium every day, i would probably switch to liquid.
Is she showing any neurological signs? A spine deformity should be chronic and not happen over night. I'm wondering if she has a neurological issue that is causing it

 

[vrenee1018]

This a way better picture. It's not as bad as i thought it was. It must have been the way she was sitting. She does walk a little funny though. I'll look into liquid calcium for her since she is a hit or miss with eating and that's how I give both my beardies calcium.

 

[xp29]

Yeah that don't look near as bad. On the liquid calcium, taste test it. I've found some of it taste pretty bad and my guys refuse it. I just mix it in some water and use an eyedropper to give it to them.

 

[vrenee1018]

Thank you for your help!

 

[xp29]

Your welcome

 

[KarrieRee]

The bulb is only a couple of months old and it sits on top of the screen, but the hammock is less than inches away from it. I'm thinking of removing the screen on that side of the tank now, though.

Please unobstruct it place a piece of basking decor directly under the uvb 12-15 inches that is for a T 5 T 8 's are different they must be unobstructed 6-8 inches-