Red foot

[clbauman7]

Hi everyone. I was hoping someone might be able to help me figure out why Goliath has a red foot. I have noticed over the last several months that a pinkish-orange color has began to show on his legs and I assumed that was just his coloring. But, today we discovered that the palm on his right front foot is red.

His right front foot is a little pinkish-orange

Here you can see both front legs. His right one seems a bit swollen.

He acts fine. He walks around and is happy.
Thanks for your help
Julie

 

[Beardednoob]

Possible gout? What are you using for a UV source? How old is it? How close can your dragon get to it? What type of substrate do you use?

 

[clbauman7]

What is gout and how would I know if he has it?

We are using a reptisun bulb. It is only about 3 months old. It is about 15 inches from him. (I just realized that is to far) He has ceramic tile in his cage.

I also noticed that the fat packs on his head that used to always be so firm are soft. Maybe I am just freaking out lol Or maybe that will help?

 

[clbauman7]

Tomorrow my husband is going to move his uvb light so it is 6-8 inches away from his basking spot. Hope it being so far from him hasn't harmed him

 

[Beardednoob]

Using a Reptisun, is it 10.0 or a 5.0? Are you dusting his food?

 

[clbauman7]

10.0 and Yes we dust his food.

 

[Gail]

He really needs to see a vet. PInk, swollen limbs can also be a sign of a systematic infection.

 

[clbauman7]

Gail can you please explain this to me? Or send me a link? Everything I can find about "systematic infection" pertains to mouth rot. His mouth does not show signs of softness. BTW my husband has moved his uvb light now. It is about 6 inches from his basking spot.

 

[Beardednoob]

He really needs to see a vet. PInk, swollen limbs can also be a sign of a systematic infection.

Is also a symptom of metabolic bone disease or gout.

 

[clbauman7]

I'm starting to feel very frustrated. This is my daughter's lizard and our only family pet. Please don't turn this into a game of "who is right." He is the first bearded dragon we have owned and we really enjoy having him as a pet. But there is so much to learn about them. If you think you can help me, I appreciate it very much. But I need more information. I could spend hours searching this sight and never find anything. I could spend hours searching the internet and find even less.
Anyways after a day of proper uvb his hand and foot are looking better already. The redness is already subsiding.
Again thanks everyone for your help.
Julie

 

[Beardednoob]

Please don't turn this into a game of "who is right."??? :?

Well i am happy he is showing improvement. With a more adequate distance to the UV source and proper dusting of calcium +D3. If the issue was a beginning stage of metabolic bone disease, this is the right course of action. If the symptoms do not continue to regress then I would consult a vet.

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

 

[clbauman7]

I did not mean to be offensive in any way. I just keep hearing It could be this, or this, or this, but no information to help me understand. I do appreciate your help. I am just concerned for him.
I will take him to the vet if he needs. I just don't want to take him just to find a couple days of healing would be all he needs.

 

[Beardednoob]

I did not mean to be offensive in any way. I just keep hearing It could be this, or this, or this, but no information to help me understand. I do appreciate your help. I am just concerned for him.
I will take him to the vet if he needs. I just don't want to take him just to find a couple days of healing would be all he needs.

I understand you are worried for you little guy, so are we that is why we are here after all. I would give him a couple days, watch the affected area, monitor any changes. If the redness seems to diminish and everything else seems fine, eating, pooping, activity levels and the like then the need to worry most likely has subsided. If there are negative effects like, lethargy, not eating, more red spots or the spreading of the one present then I would seek out a Vet as soon as you can.
Redness of the limbs is a symptom of MBD, infection or gout. We were merely trying to come to a consensus of root causes. Sorry we should have explained ourselves better. If you want to do some reading on these health issues then the this page is a must----->
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/home.html
I would suggest bookmarking it too.
Some more reading regarding MBD
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/a/metabolicbd.htm

BTW are you using any other devices for heat like a heat rock?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

If you would like a medical explanation of these conditions, I can explain it in more detail.
If you could go over your tank setup a little more, that may help as well. There are reasons why they can develop gout, or infections. Most of the time, it has to do with the husbandry, but not all of the time. Genetics play a vital role, as well.
If you said that the swelling is going down, that is great news.
However, I would recommend considering getting a blood test on him if possible. That would help determine calcium levels, & other things that could help determine other things going on with his organs, etc.
Which supplementation are you using currently? What brand is it?
What are the temperatures in the tank, & what type of thermometer do you use? A stick on type, a digital probe or a temp gun?


Tracie

 

[clbauman7]

Thank you, thank you, thank you to you. I will look into those websites later. We are not using a heat rock. I will get back to you on temperatures and all later when I have more time. My husband has been up all night with the flu and the baby just woke up so I need to go. But I wanted to tell you that I got your post and will respond later today.
Feeling rather exhausted lol
Julie