Rescue with severe MBD

[Kgia]

We are experienced owners that just took in a rescue this week. She was living in terrible conditions in a hoarders house. Hoarders of animals as well as everything else so you can imagine how bad her care was. According to them she's about 10. She's so small and malnourished she fits in my hand. My 3 year old dragon is 5x times bigger than her.

She had an old uvb light and no heat source. Was fed crickets and pellets, no calcium. Surprisingly, they had her on tile in an extra large Exo Terra if there is anything positive so at least we're not dealing with sand issues.

She has such severe mbd that she can barely drag herself around. She sits in her poop because she can't move away. She seems to have trouble holding up her head and has tremors when she eats. I'm wondering if she's too far gone and should be put down. I'm thinking of waiting to see how she does after a few weeks with proper lighting and nutrition but would like opinions.

We set her up with an Arcadia T5 12% UVB and heat source is a 100 watt bulb. Temps are correct using a temp gun. She's on small, low platform because she can't climb and don't want her to fall. Only other thing to do is undermount the UVB since it's on top of screen at the moment and I can't get her high enough to absorb properly. Went to Walmart today to get fluorescent fixture and 3M command hooks but they were out of both so will try Home Depot in am. Moved her to a 30 gallon tank, other one was overkill since she's immobile.

We've been bathing her and she did drink. She seems to have an appetite and is eating gut loaded superworms and hornworms. Bought some baby food and Oxbow critical care to try and syringe feed. Will try dandelion greens this week as well.She does have daily bowel movements so guess that's another positive. They appear to be normal.

I'm not sure what else we can do but looking for suggestions from anyone who's dealt with such a severely malnourished and neglected dragon with severe mbd. Should we give her a heat source such as a CHE light at night? not sure if that would be beneficial. Thanks in advance.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, it's so nice of you to try + help this poor girl. You're doing everything right, but hold off on superworms since MBD causes all body functions to be compromised including the ability to pass harder items through the digestive tract. Stick with a small number of insects at first and offer the Critical Care with a small pinch of extra calcium. The fact that she's eating + drinking shows a will to live, so I agree to give it a few weeks. Then if she seems to be in a lot of pain, black beard, lethargic it might be time to consider a humane euthanasia. But so far so good.

Can you post pics of her as well as her set up ? Here's how :
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ Then use the XIMG to upload

 

[CloudyCat]

You can order her liquid calcium, http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Calciumglub.html and you can order bee pollen for her as well.
Poor baby. My rescue girl, Athena, had/has MBD like this as well. It's a long road to recovery, but it is worth it. If she's really 10, she is stunted(I believe this is the correct term?).
Where are you located? If you're nearby, I can give you a hand or if you're not close to me, I might have a friend in the area, if you want some help.
Also, silkworms promote calcium absorption, so you can get her some of those. They're great as a staple feeder! Try getting her out in the sun for at least an hour every day, until you can get the UVB mounted. If there's sun where you are!
Good luck! You can feel free to DM me with any questions!
And a CHE light would be beneficial, yes.

 

[AHBD]

The picture must be deceiving, she looks quite large + healthy. Not doubting that she's ill but her body condition looks normal. What is her length ? She definitely is not underfed but has serious nutritional deficiencies as you suspect but may clear up to a degree with a proper diet/supplements. The goal would not be for weight gain since she is quite hefty for whatever her length is , but to get the calcium + b vitamins in her that she needs for neuro=skeletal function. Getting her in the sun will help as mentioned, but never in a glass tank. If you live in a warm climate you can put her directly in the grass since she can't get away or sit with her on your lap.