Commander Crapper
New member
- Beardie name(s)
- Merlin
Your dragon looks ill- if your using a MVB what brand and bulb? I recommend getting a long tube fixture like a 24" Zoo Med w/ a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 this is imperative or you can get a 24 watt Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb - Pet Smart has started carrying these please look there for that UVB --- your dragon is not getting enough UVB and this would cause lack of use of the dragons legs and the issues w/ pooping - he needs proper basking temps of 95-100 and good UVB -- --- hes developing MBD-- Your dragon needs a hide and please get rid of the sand ---- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner from Walmart or your local home improvement store -- cut it to the size of the tank and clean w/ vinegar/water 50/50 -- also how are you taking surface basking temps ? Please get two digital probe thermometers - I am going to post links for this stuffHello
I've had Merlin for quite some time, & as of the last couple of months, I noticed his back legs were not working. My first thought was constipation, so I took him out more (after he had been inactive from my brother abandoning support for him & my parents who tried their best to take care of him in the house for quite some time) & managed to get him to poop, & no longer be constipated. Big woop for the time, I noticed he was moving his legs again. However, he was actively avoiding using them for support unless absolutely necessary. (I've caught him a couple times using his back legs for support when pooping, but that's about it) I'm kind of lost on what he could have that's still preventing him from using his back legs. I can't afford a vet, as my family is struggling enough already & I can't afford it myself either. I would do anything to take him & make him better, but vets are very expensive, & I hate to watch him suffer like this.
Can anyone be so kind as to help me figure out what's wrong & how to cure it without a vet? I appreciate it. I attached a setup of his cage (although it is very recent, the lamps & carpet especially have been replaced to help him move around easier & stay warmer)
He's getting more calcium now, but I remember that we used to feed him superworms for his main diet (which is a really bad idea, wasn't known to us at the time, because it's high in phosphorus which drains calcium). Now it's a mix of crickets, lettuce, & blueberries. The UVB I'm using is a ReptiSun 10.0 Mini Compact Fluorescent.What uvb are using? Also, how much calcium is he getting?
Tha brand & bulb is a ReptiSun 10.0 Mini Compact Fluorescent. I'll look into the zoo med UVB tube & light, thanks. I actually tried looking around my local petsmart for a UVB tube recently, but to no avail unfortunately. The sand I don't think I can get rid of because it provides higher grounding closer to the light, because the cage is pretty high up (it's a very old cage that my dad brought down, which he used as an aquarium when he had a roommate) & the extra leverage given by the sand makes Merlin closer to the heat & UVB. I did, however, put a carpet over it, so hopefully the sand will not be as much of an issue. I'll look into good hides for Merlin, although I don't think he'll use it that much as he's a very big lizard & might not be able to fit under it. But, it's necessary for him regardless. Thanks for all the helpYour dragon looks ill- if your using a MVB what brand and bulb? I recommend getting a long tube fixture like a 24" Zoo Med w/ a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 this is imperative or you can get a 24 watt Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb - Pet Smart has started carrying these please look there for that UVB --- your dragon is not getting enough UVB and this would cause lack of use of the dragons legs and the issues w/ pooping - he needs proper basking temps of 95-100 and good UVB -- --- hes developing MBD-- Your dragon needs a hide and please get rid of the sand ---- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner from Walmart or your local home improvement store -- cut it to the size of the tank and clean w/ vinegar/water 50/50 -- also how are you taking surface basking temps ? Please get two digital probe thermometers - I am going to post links for this stuff
24" Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood this will come w/a 5.0 bulb hang on to it for back up - distance and placement is different from the bulb you need 22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HOZoo Med Digital Thermometer
Measure the temperatures within your terrariums and reptile cages easily with this digital thermometer by Zoo Med! Order temeprature and humidity guages from Pangea Reptile.www.pangeareptile.com
Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood
Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!www.pangeareptile.com
I think I'm using a compact light (the lightbulb itself is like 2 really thin U shaped lights connected on 1 point, with the bottom facing towards his tank. I know that's not the best description but that's the best I can do lol) I've started giving him more calcium as of late, & if you see my response to Karrie's message, you can see what happened with his calcium intake. Right now, he's actually doing pretty fine, he's just chilling on his rock after I took him outside to bask in the sun.Hello,
Poor guy, so sorry he isn't doing well.
Based on the pictures, it appears that you are using a compact/coil light for your UVB?
As Karrie suggested, it is imperative to get a stronger more effective UVB because it
sounds like he has rear leg weakness & possible neurological problems. That would be
caused by lack of proper UVB & poor calcium absorption which leads to metabolic bone
disease.
How often are you giving him calcium?
Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie
Please get the uvb replaced as soon as you can - he's not going to survive w/ out it - I can post links to get one - all the things I posted earlier are crucial to his health- you don't want him so far gone he can't bounce back- look for different decor he can climb on and take the screen off for the uvb-- for a T 5 distance is 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor - I can't stress this enough-Tha brand & bulb is a ReptiSun 10.0 Mini Compact Fluorescent. I'll look into the zoo med UVB tube & light, thanks. I actually tried looking around my local petsmart for a UVB tube recently, but to no avail unfortunately. The sand I don't think I can get rid of because it provides higher grounding closer to the light, because the cage is pretty high up (it's a very old cage that my dad brought down, which he used as an aquarium when he had a roommate) & the extra leverage given by the sand makes Merlin closer to the heat & UVB. I did, however, put a carpet over it, so hopefully the sand will not be as much of an issue. I'll look into good hides for Merlin, although I don't think he'll use it that much as he's a very big lizard & might not be able to fit under it. But, it's necessary for him regardless. Thanks for all the help
Calcium and other supplements are needed for your beardie weekly. 2 items needed and will last around 4 months. Also lighting is essential for their health. They need the right heat and lighting to live as domestic lizardsHello
I've had Merlin for quite some time, & as of the last couple of months, I noticed his back legs were not working. My first thought was constipation, so I took him out more (after he had been inactive from my brother abandoning support for him & my parents who tried their best to take care of him in the house for quite some time) & managed to get him to poop, & no longer be constipated. Big woop for the time, I noticed he was moving his legs again. However, he was actively avoiding using them for support unless absolutely necessary. (I've caught him a couple times using his back legs for support when pooping, but that's about it) I'm kind of lost on what he could have that's still preventing him from using his back legs. I can't afford a vet, as my family is struggling enough already & I can't afford it myself either. I would do anything to take him & make him better, but vets are very expensive, & I hate to watch him suffer like this.
Can anyone be so kind as to help me figure out what's wrong & how to cure it without a vet? I appreciate it. I attached a setup of his cage (although it is very recent, the lamps & carpet especially have been replaced to help him move around easier & stay warmer)
Also sand is fine as long as he isn't eating itHello
I've had Merlin for quite some time, & as of the last couple of months, I noticed his back legs were not working. My first thought was constipation, so I took him out more (after he had been inactive from my brother abandoning support for him & my parents who tried their best to take care of him in the house for quite some time) & managed to get him to poop, & no longer be constipated. Big woop for the time, I noticed he was moving his legs again. However, he was actively avoiding using them for support unless absolutely necessary. (I've caught him a couple times using his back legs for support when pooping, but that's about it) I'm kind of lost on what he could have that's still preventing him from using his back legs. I can't afford a vet, as my family is struggling enough already & I can't afford it myself either. I would do anything to take him & make him better, but vets are very expensive, & I hate to watch him suffer like this.
Can anyone be so kind as to help me figure out what's wrong & how to cure it without a vet? I appreciate it. I attached a setup of his cage (although it is very recent, the lamps & carpet especially have been replaced to help him move around easier & stay warmer)
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