Please any help appreciated

[SIMBA22]

We have unfortunately hit a dead end trying to determine why our 8 month old bearded dragon has developed a swollen hind leg with a limp and very decreased appetite.

All husbandry has been checked by multiple vets and deemed perfect

Full blood panel came back normal

X ray showed something the vet has admitted to be completely clueless as to what it shows.

Pictures attached. Would truly appreciate any insight or thoughts as to how to proceed.

Currently administering meloxicam and tramadol to keep him comfortable but at a loss on how else to help and devastated.

 

[KarrieRee]

We have unfortunately hit a dead end trying to determine why our 8 month old bearded dragon has developed a swollen hind leg with a limp and very decreased appetite.

All husbandry has been checked by multiple vets and deemed perfect

Full blood panel came back normal

X ray showed something the vet has admitted to be completely clueless as to what it shows.

Pictures attached. Would truly appreciate any insight or thoughts as to how to proceed.

Currently administering meloxicam and tramadol to keep him comfortable but at a loss on how else to help and devastated.

Please tell me what your using for a UVB please No coils and what your surface basking temps are and how your taking them? Digital probe thermometers are the most accurate - I am flagging post to Tracie she is the vet tech on the forum- shes good at reading X rays -
@Drache613

 

[SIMBA22]

Please tell me what your using for a UVB please No coils and what your surface basking temps are and how your taking them? Digital probe thermometers are the most accurate - I am flagging post to Tracie she is the vet tech on the forum- shes good at reading X rays -
@Drache613

Truly appreciate that thank you.

UVB is a Reptisun 10 tube lighting in a dome, probe is used for temps with humidity and heat probes. Humidity is around 20 and temps are 100-105 in basking and 75 - 80 in cool side. Down to 70 overnight.

Fed crickets and discord roaches, and daily mixes of collard greens, kale, sweet potato, carrots and occasional mango

 

[KarrieRee]

Truly appreciate that thank you.

UVB is a Reptisun 10 tube lighting in a dome, probe is used for temps with humidity and heat probes. Humidity is around 20 and temps are 100-105 in basking and 75 - 80 in cool side. Down to 70 overnight.

Fed crickets and discord roaches, and daily mixes of collard greens, kale, sweet potato, carrots and occasional mango

Uvb is in a dome is a coil- please post a pic

 

[SIMBA22]

Uvb is in a dome is a coil- please post a pic

Nope... not a coil

 

[SIMBA22]

Not a coil. Pics below... as stated it is a tube. Unsure why the constant focus here is on UVB not being correct when I originally stated multiple vets have confirmed correct husbandry and again confirmed with all bloodwork being perfect. I am hoping for any assistance that can be given on the x ray not arguing that I am somehow lying when giving the exact information asked for regarding UVB? @KarrieRee

 

[KarrieRee]

Not a coil. Pics below... as stated it is a tube. Unsure why the constant focus here is on UVB not being correct when I originally stated multiple vets have confirmed correct husbandry and again confirmed with all bloodwork being perfect. I am hoping for any assistance that can be given on the x ray not arguing that I am somehow lying when giving the exact information asked for regarding UVB? @KarrieRee

Sorry we always go over lighting right away- the T 8 is not strong enough to go thru screen - it should be unobstructed directly over a piece of basking decor 6-8 inches and not over 6 months old - I recommend you upgrade to a T 5 you will need to get a new fixture the bulb is skinnier -

 

[SIMBA22]

Uvb is in a dome is a coil- please post a pic

Sorry we always go over lighting right away- the T 8 is not strong enough to go thru screen - it should be unobstructed directly over a piece of basking decor 6-8 inches and not over 6 months old - I recommend you upgrade to a T 5 you will need to get a new fixture the bulb is skinnier -

How is it to be unobstructed while keeping him safe? I have cats in the home, although friendly with him I would need a lid on to ensure his safety and theirs, I am not certain how it would be safely secured either. Is there any visual representation on that?

 

[Sue E.]

We have unfortunately hit a dead end trying to determine why our 8 month old bearded dragon has developed a swollen hind leg with a limp and very decreased appetite.

All husbandry has been checked by multiple vets and deemed perfect

Full blood panel came back normal

X ray showed something the vet has admitted to be completely clueless as to what it shows.

Pictures attached. Would truly appreciate any insight or thoughts as to how to proceed.

Currently administering meloxicam and tramadol to keep him comfortable but at a loss on how else to help and devastated.

Well, I am no vet and Im still learning about dragons, but in a human, see how the legs below the knee have a wider space between the two bones (tibia and fibula?). One of the causes of this in humans could be whats called tibiofibular syndesmosis ( or high ankle sprain). It can be treated nonsurgically with a cast and decreased weight bearing, or surgically with screw fixation (in humans...I am completely clueless about dragon treatment). The condition can be caused by external rotation (twisted ankle) among other things. Again, in humans (Im a nurse lol). But it could be...is there another vet you could ask? Preferably an exotic vet? It would kind of make sense with the swelling, the limp, the pain, and the sudden onset. Just my 2 cents.

We have unfortunately hit a dead end trying to determine why our 8 month old bearded dragon has developed a swollen hind leg with a limp and very decreased appetite.

All husbandry has been checked by multiple vets and deemed perfect

Full blood panel came back normal

X ray showed something the vet has admitted to be completely clueless as to what it shows.

Pictures attached. Would truly appreciate any insight or thoughts as to how to proceed.

Currently administering meloxicam and tramadol to keep him comfortable but at a loss on how else to help and devastated.

 

[Sue E.]

Well, I am no vet and Im still learning about dragons, but in a human, see how the legs below the knee have a wider space between the two bones (tibia and fibula?). One of the causes of this in humans could be whats called tibiofibular syndesmosis ( or high ankle sprain). It can be treated nonsurgically with a cast and decreased weight bearing, or surgically with screw fixation (in humans...I am completely clueless about dragon treatment). The condition can be caused by external rotation (twisted ankle) among other things. Again, in humans (Im a nurse lol). But it could be...is there another vet you could ask? Preferably an exotic vet? It would kind of make sense with the swelling, the limp, the pain, and the sudden onset. Just my 2 cents.

The space between the two lower leg bones I mean, on the right side is wider than that on the left. Im assuming the problem is with his right leg?

 

[AHBD]

Did he at any point have any slight cut in his leg , even a tiny one ? That would usually not cause any problem but in rare cases possible bacteria might enter that way. What Sue said might be a possibility as well. And can you post a full pic of the enclosure ? Is there a hammock ? Keep in mind that a blood test doesn't always show gout so that may be the real problem. Hope to get some answers for you.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree, it could be some type of injury, causing the trauma thus the
swelling in that localized area. A cut of some type could cause bacteria
to build up & contribute to infection.
By chance, do you have a copy of the blood test that you could post, so I could see it? It's hard to tell, is there any swelling on any of the hands,
fingers or toes, or not?

Tracie

 

[SIMBA22]

The space between the two lower leg bones I mean, on the right side is wider than that on the left. Im assuming the problem is with his right leg?

Yes, the vet was completely at a loss as to what the widening of bone is and said she did not see any breaks.

I truly appreciate your insight, I am definitely going to bring that up it sounds promising as to a diagnosis, everything in my mind is pointing to an injury as all bloodwork has come back completely normal as well and the suddenness with which it came on. Although we have no idea how or where this injury occurred he went to bed last Friday and woke up Saturday swollen and this diagnostic journey began with so far no answers or help despite numerous tests and of course quite an extensive amount of money.

 

[SIMBA22]

Hello,

I agree, it could be some type of injury, causing the trauma thus the
swelling in that localized area. A cut of some type could cause bacteria
to build up & contribute to infection.
By chance, do you have a copy of the blood test that you could post, so I could see it? It's hard to tell, is there any swelling on any of the hands,
fingers or toes, or not?

Tracie

Unfortunately I do not have a copy of the bloodwork, it was enough of a fight to get ahold of his x rays before they closed for weekend but the vet has said they will be open for a little Sunday so I can try calling to get ahold of it then. I was told over phone that all results were within normal range, no elevated white blood cell count, or anything to point to an infection, kidney values were all within normal range, no signs of gout/uric acid. His calcium, phosphorus and D3 levels were great. Yes there is one toe on that same foot swollen physically but on x ray it did not show anything different with that bone. No other part of him is swollen other than that leg though

 

[SIMBA22]

Did he at any point have any slight cut in his leg , even a tiny one ? That would usually not cause any problem but in rare cases possible bacteria might enter that way. What Sue said might be a possibility as well. And can you post a full pic of the enclosure ? Is there a hammock ? Keep in mind that a blood test doesn't always show gout so that may be the real problem. Hope to get some answers for you.

I was told by vet that if bloodwork didn't show signs of gout the x ray would but it did not either. Is this something you agree with or is there another way to diagnose this. I was told that gout is caused by imbalances in calcium/vitamins and minerals which were all seen to be fine and also that it caused multiple areas of swelling. Yes there was a hammock and a climbing tree in his enclosure previously, we removed at advice of vet while trying to determine what is wrong with leg as we have been trying to keep him rested and not further agitate it/also did not want the risk of falls while he is somewhat sedated with medications. I have posted an image of previous set up and how it is now. He has a digital probe set has a humidity gauge and temperature gauge that is put in and checked multiple times a day but have stopped leaving it in as it seems to misread and was I worried about risk of burns as he used to be quite the active guy and often was close to probe.