Shaking - Angled back. "HELP"

[haileytaco]

Hello,

My rankins dragon Sami has a perfect setup, is eating great, pooping great, acting normal, etc. but she has this large, sharply angled hunch on her back. This hunch appeared very suddenly (within days). Could MBD happen that fast and just in one spot or could this be some sort of fracture?

 

[AHBD]

Hi Hailey....this must be heartbreaking for you, how is she doing otherwise ? I know you've posted this 3 times now here in the E.R....maybe the mods, can link all your threads together because the other ones mentioned your lighting , use of calcium, etc. To answer your question [ which I think was done in your previous thread], it is both MBD and fractures. When the bones get weak from MBD then small fractures occur, then when any calcium is available the body overcompensates and deposits the calcium at the point of greatest stress, where the fracture is. It can also be caused if the dragon is straining to poo. Others may add their suggestions, but if you have a very experienced reptile vet, then you might be more satisfied with observation + conclusions coming from a professional. I hope she's doing O.K., some beardies seem to adapt to their disability pretty well.

 

[haileytaco]

Her stomach trembles when I touch anywhere near her lower back. Is this a typical trait of MBD? Also, if it was MBD that cause her back to fracture/hunch, is there any way that I could reverse the damage so her back could be flat again? She is now starting to shake/twitch her stomach and back when she walks? I am starting to get worried for her but I cannot take her to the vet unless absolutely necessary so any suggestions or further advice will be very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[haileytaco]

Her back has gotten even more angled since the day I posted this. Does anyone know how her back went from completely flat to sharply angled in just a few days? And will she be okay even with the skaking that has recently started?

 

[AHBD]

I don't know what to tell you to help....poor little Sami, I think you may need to take her to an experienced reptile vet....do you know of one ? She is somehow predisposed to this for some reason....I have no idea what the outcome will be, liquid calcium and sunshine might be the only thing to hep. I don't think she'll ever be normal, but hopefully she's not in a lot of pain. Is she still eating at least ?

 

[haileytaco]

Yes, she is still eating and pooping normally. I hope she is not in pain, she twitches her stomach when I touch her stomach/back area. Also, she will sometimes run away/back up and flinch when I try picking her up so I don't know if that has any significance?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is your little one doing? Did you get a chance to take her outside any yet?
I am happy to hear that she is eating normally. I hope she can get around a little bit.
If she flinches, then her back may be tender to the touch. Did you get any liquid calcium yet for her, that would help a lot, too.

Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[haileytaco]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have not gotten her outside any yet because I am in a northern state so it has only gotten to around 60* outside. Also, I have not tried any liquid calcium yet as I do not know which kind would be best, would you be able to attach a link or give the name of a good liquid calcium and dosage, etc?

 

[Zinnia1027]

Hello,
I am sorry to hear about your beardie I have come across a reply to a post on this website that may help you.

-Zinnia

Here it is:

Re: Where can i get liquid calcium?
by gulfbrzdawn » Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:03 am

If you think your beardie may have MBD, you would be better off with the full strength liquid calcium you can give orally instead of the spray on type.
One of the moderators here, Tracie(Drache613) has a website http://www.bug-de-lite.com/ She sells the liquid calcium at a very good price and can give you exact dosage amounts for your beardie depending on his size and severity of MBD.
Tracie will answer any questions you may have for she is very knowledgable when it comes to bearded dragon illnesses.
You can either PM her or go right to her website with your questions about the liquid calcium.
Hope this helps!

 

[haileytaco]

Should I get the regular liquid calcium or the calci-blast?

 

[Zinnia1027]

I would get the calci-blast just because it's stronger and your beardie's back looks very suvere, but you should probably PM Tracie about it because she would know the most about it.

-Zinnia

 

[haileytaco]

Okay thank you. One more random thing to note is that Sami is still very active. When I have her out she runs across the floor and loves to jump onto things so she is acting normal still other than the bump. When viewed from above, her back is quite bow shaped as it waves out to the right near the hunch and then goes to the left at the base of the tail.

 

[Zinnia1027]

*severe

 

[haileytaco]

Here is what I mean by the bowed back.

 

[Zinnia1027]

Hey,

I's good that she is so active. In the the picture you posted was her angled back bow shaped or is that something new?

-Zinnia