New Bearded Dragon/ Possible MBD? Uncoordinated hind legs that twist into odd positions

[Hailey Jack]

Hello, I recently adopted a bearded dragon off of Facebook as that is where I got my past bearded dragon biscuit who is the absolute love of my life and in great health. I thought it might be a better option then going to PetSmart or Petco as the animals there always look extremely unhealthy, and you can normally get a good deal on Facebook (I am a college student so this does make a difference as many of the reptile specialty stores near me have extremely high prices even for an elderly adopted beardie).

I bought Timothy with both his lights and fixtures, dubia roaches, and calcium. It appeared from the photos his owner was taking quite good care of him. She was rehoming him because he scared her young son.

She adopted Timothy I believe from Petco in July.

One thing I noticed though was that he seemed somewhat small, and I wondered if she had been underfeeding him insects as he completely devoured any insects I gave him for the first few days before starting to slow down into a regular feeding routine.

I also noticed quickly that his hind legs seem to be extremely uncoordinated, to the point where he will sit doing the splits looking much like a dog, or even had one back leg twisted up over his back when I was holding him. I've only had him for around three weeks now and it seems to have improved slightly as I have been taking care of him and calcium. He can run after crickets and is quite active but when walking slowly you can tell there is something off with his legs. I began to wonder if he had a deformity of some kind or the beginnings of MBD as he has a somewhat slouchy jawline, and his eyes always seem a little more squinted then with my other beardie.

He was a dark brown when I first got him and in all the pictures of his posting, and has started to molt or peel a little, his eyes have been looking brighter and he has been slightly more coordinated and has turned a lighter yellow, I'm still somewhat concerned.

 

[Hazel_Basil10]

Can you send pictures or do you not have them yet??

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello, I recently adopted a bearded dragon off of Facebook as that is where I got my past bearded dragon biscuit who is the absolute love of my life and in great health. I thought it might be a better option then going to PetSmart or Petco as the animals there always look extremely unhealthy, and you can normally get a good deal on Facebook (I am a college student so this does make a difference as many of the reptile specialty stores near me have extremely high prices even for an elderly adopted beardie).

I bought Timothy with both his lights and fixtures, dubia roaches, and calcium. It appeared from the photos his owner was taking quite good care of him. She was rehoming him because he scared her young son.

She adopted Timothy I believe from Petco in July.

One thing I noticed though was that he seemed somewhat small, and I wondered if she had been underfeeding him insects as he completely devoured any insects I gave him for the first few days before starting to slow down into a regular feeding routine.

I also noticed quickly that his hind legs seem to be extremely uncoordinated, to the point where he will sit doing the splits looking much like a dog, or even had one back leg twisted up over his back when I was holding him. I've only had him for around three weeks now and it seems to have improved slightly as I have been taking care of him and calcium. He can run after crickets and is quite active but when walking slowly you can tell there is something off with his legs. I began to wonder if he had a deformity of some kind or the beginnings of MBD as he has a somewhat slouchy jawline, and his eyes always seem a little more squinted then with my other beardie.

He was a dark brown when I first got him and in all the pictures of his posting, and has started to molt or peel a little, his eyes have been looking brighter and he has been slightly more coordinated and has turned a lighter yellow, I'm still somewhat concerned.

Colors could be coming out- post a pic of his set up please-- how old is the uvb?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Please do post some pictures of Timothy, along with his tank setup, if possible.
I would personally go ahead & purchase a new UVB light unless you know for sure it is up to date
& current. Which UVB type & brand do you have now?
Are you using a powdered or liquid calcium for him?/

Tracie

 

[Hailey Jack]

*** The third photo was him in his original habit the others are him now. I've noticed when I pick him up his legs will just sit stiffly straight forward and if you try and bend them gently towards the knee like a normal beardie would sit there there is strong resistance.

His current UVB is a coil 10.0, thrive brand. I know the tube ones are considered better but my local reptile specialists keep and rescue beardies and they are in beautiful condition and they use the coils (small local exotic reptile pet store with experienced reptile keepers). Although I would be willing to switch when I can if needed.

He uses powdered calcium supplement with B3.

The coil uvb bulb was purchased in July at the same time as him, so it is still under a year.

@Drache613
@KarrieRee
@Hazel_Basil10

Thank you all for your help, I really just want to make sure the little guy is okay. I am open to any and all suggestions

 

[KarrieRee]

*** The third photo was him in his original habit the others are him now. I've noticed when I pick him up his legs will just sit stiffly straight forward and if you try and bend them gently towards the knee like a normal beardie would sit there there is strong resistance.

His current UVB is a coil 10.0, thrive brand. I know the tube ones are considered better but my local reptile specialists keep and rescue beardies and they are in beautiful condition and they use the coils (small local exotic reptile pet store with experienced reptile keepers). Although I would be willing to switch when I can if needed.

He uses powdered calcium supplement with B3.

The coil uvb bulb was purchased in July at the same time as him, so it is still under a year.

@Drache613
@KarrieRee
@Hazel_Basil10

Thank you all for your help, I really just want to make sure the little guy is okay. I am open to any and all suggestions

Please get rid of the coil UVB --- they are not adequate and long term use will cause all kinds of health issues -- please get one of the following -- I cannot stress this enough
24" fixture for a 40 + gallon tank
Zoo Med comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you need the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 posting link for that as well
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood
22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO
this one can be found at Pet Smart as well you want the 24 watt 12% bulb
Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood
or this one you need the 2 ft or 24" please replace the bulb w/ the one posted above
https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjEwIn0=
when you get the UVB please post back on here - the screen will determine where the UVB needs to be placed and distanced
Coils are not adequate and will cause all kinds of health issues including MBD

 

[Hailey Jack]

Please get rid of the coil UVB --- they are not adequate and long term use will cause all kinds of health issues -- please get one of the following -- I cannot stress this enough
24" fixture for a 40 + gallon tank
Zoo Med comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you need the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 posting link for that as well
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood
22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO
this one can be found at Pet Smart as well you want the 24 watt 12% bulb
Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood
or this one you need the 2 ft or 24" please replace the bulb w/ the one posted above
https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjEwIn0=
when you get the UVB please post back on here - the screen will determine where the UVB needs to be placed and distanced
Coils are not adequate and will cause all kinds of health issues including MBD

As soon as I get my next pay check in a around a week, I can buy him that new bulb and fixture. On my next paycheck I can get biscuit one. I have come to the conclusion on watching videos of other bearded dragons with MBD that I should bring him in to be checked. Because of the rubberiness of how he holds his legs and the overall muscle weakness I'm pretty sure he could have it. Other then a UVB are you aware of anything else that would help to reverse this? Thank you again

 

[KarrieRee]

As soon as I get my next pay check in a around a week, I can buy him that new bulb and fixture. On my next paycheck I can get biscuit one. I have come to the conclusion on watching videos of other bearded dragons with MBD that I should bring him in to be checked. Because of the rubberiness of how he holds his legs and the overall muscle weakness I'm pretty sure he could have it. Other then a UVB are you aware of anything else that would help to reverse this? Thank you again

It won't reverse it but will help it from getting any worse-- you don't want that-- post back on here so I can help you place it for the screen on the tank - they have certain placement and distance

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is Timothy doing? He has definitely developed metabolic bone disease. Did you get a new UVB ordered yet?
Were you going to schedule a vet visit also?
He does need to be on a liquid calcium too because that absorbs better & more quickly than a powdered calcium does.
I would try to adjust his basking & UVB distance, once you had your new UVB light so he is lower more towards the floor of his tank. This is so he doesn't have to climb too much & possibly hurt himself.

Tracie

 

[Hailey Jack]

Hello again,

The new UVB is coming in the mail, and I got card for a vet. However upon speaking to a rescue bearded dragon organization who works with a vet they believe that Timothy actually has muscular dystrophy, they have several beardies with the same condition. Would this be a possibility?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

There have been some people who did say that
their dragon had muscular dystrophy. It is possible
to have that type of condition, sure. I am not really
sure what would cause that type of condition in a
reptile.
You could consider trying CBD oil, there have been
a lot of success stories with the use of that for help
with muscular dystrophy.

Tracie