JeffFisher
Member
Im sure your using calcium and good UVB lights.
But how old is your dragon?
How often do you feed insects?
Sub adults and adults do not need much protien. It is actually unhealthy for them. Protien molocules are hard on the kidneys. It plugs up renal tubules and damages the kidneys. It also breaks down into uric acid. Urea is the white portion of the dragons stool. It is how uric acid is excreted. If large amounts of uric acid builds up, it can cause kidney stones. It also deposits in the joints causing gouty arthritis.
This is what I think might be the problem. It will cause the tissue around the joints to be painfully swollen. The swelling can extend into the limbs. There is medication that will help with clearing the uric acid. Mention this to your vet, I would not be surprised if this is the issue.
I also discourage people from feeding insects to adult dragons. It is healthier and cheaper to care for your animal. A better way to give your dragon protien is to buy good quality parrot food. It is the kind that looks like fruity pebbles cereal. Grind it up in a coffee grinder and sprinkle it lightly (very lightly) over the greens once (or even less) per week. It is a healthier form of protien. No messy, stinky, diseased, parasite ridden crickets to deal with. I did this for many, many years for my dragons and uromastyx.
Anyway, talk to your vet, cut down on any protien (even the parrot food) until you speak with him/her. Keep us posted.
But how old is your dragon?
How often do you feed insects?
Sub adults and adults do not need much protien. It is actually unhealthy for them. Protien molocules are hard on the kidneys. It plugs up renal tubules and damages the kidneys. It also breaks down into uric acid. Urea is the white portion of the dragons stool. It is how uric acid is excreted. If large amounts of uric acid builds up, it can cause kidney stones. It also deposits in the joints causing gouty arthritis.
This is what I think might be the problem. It will cause the tissue around the joints to be painfully swollen. The swelling can extend into the limbs. There is medication that will help with clearing the uric acid. Mention this to your vet, I would not be surprised if this is the issue.
I also discourage people from feeding insects to adult dragons. It is healthier and cheaper to care for your animal. A better way to give your dragon protien is to buy good quality parrot food. It is the kind that looks like fruity pebbles cereal. Grind it up in a coffee grinder and sprinkle it lightly (very lightly) over the greens once (or even less) per week. It is a healthier form of protien. No messy, stinky, diseased, parasite ridden crickets to deal with. I did this for many, many years for my dragons and uromastyx.
Anyway, talk to your vet, cut down on any protien (even the parrot food) until you speak with him/her. Keep us posted.