Strained, Sprained, Twisted?

[fresnowitte]

Okay RD can be a bit of a spazz most of the time. I wasn't home on Friday for a large portion of the day. When I came home RD was favoring her left arm. I examined it closely....she has complete range of motion....there is no swelling....I can see no visible signs of bruising...it doesn't appear to be broken. I've put her in a deeper than normal bath to get her to swim when she was in the water she moved just fine....she just can't put any weight on it.

I think she must have strained, sprained, or twisted her arm while spazzing around wondering where mommy was with her treats and snuggles. Anyway I think I've narrowed it down to her elbow possibly.

Other than trying to keep her quite and off of it...is there anything else I can do to help her healing process?

She is an egg layer an I hope that this heals before she has the need to dig. (she is possibly gravid)

Her are a couple of pic's....
Notice position of arms. Pay close attention to her elbows.

Okay right arm the uninjured one...she how well she bends her elbow?

Okay left arm the injured one....she how she is not making a tight bend with it?

Okay here's a video that made me cry to do this to her but I needed for you all to see how she was moving.
Normally RD will dive across the viv if I drop a bug in but as you could see she was waiting for me to move it closer something she never does. All of the rest of my beardies wait for them to be delivered to their mouths but not RD.

(Sorry for the loud kids in the background I don't know how to shut the volume off on my new camera. )

That was pic's and video that I took yesterday today she does seem to be doing better still favoring it but it isn't causing her constant pain just when she puts her weight on it.
As you can see by this pic with the curled tail and not dark beard or eyes she doesn't seem to be in pain.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Barbara,

That is too bad RD injured her arm a little bit.
What I think you should initially do is make it easier on her by lowering her lighting & lowering her basking platform so she doesn't have to climb much right now.
I don't think she would tolerate much of any type of splint that you could build for her. So, limiting her climbing should help alot.
Warm baths will help as well, in case any swelling starts to occur.
Serrapeptase works very well with helping swelling, inflammation & joint paint whether it be injury or arthritis, etc. You can buy it from:
http://www.serrapeptase.org

I would start with 25mg per day, & it comes in capsules so just untwist the capsules & sprinkle some on her greens & veggies. That should greatly help her out with any pain that she may be having with it.


Tracie

 

[fresnowitte]

Thank-you for your reply Tracie.
I've been giving her the warmer than usual baths an I'll make a soft temporary basking spot for her as soon as I post this. I'll look into the product you mentioned thank you for the link.

I actually started her on Reptaid this morning as it helps with inflammation too an I know out of everything that I have on hand it's the only immune system booster I had. I just panic a bit because I know she lays eggs like clock work this time of year an I don't want her to injure it anymore. I seriously don't think it is broken as she does use it and does have a good range of motion.

That video was at the point where she was moving the worse...she isn't limping anymore, but is still favoring it. I examined it closely this morning and there is still no bruising or swelling so I'm slightly relieved over that. Whew!

Wouldn't you just know she'd do this to me....the one day that I wasn't here all day with them.
They just gotta make us feel guilty don't they?

 

[Drache613]

Hello Barbara,

Well, that is great she is not limping as badly, poor RD. I am sure that she didn't break it though, but spraining it is possible especially if she is that active then. Of course, she waits until you are not home & then throws a fit I guess!
Good you had reptaid on hand to help right now. Maybe that will work for her pretty quickly.
That is a good idea to make her basking spot a little softer, in case that area is sore & sensitive. Let me know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[fresnowitte]

Good Morning Tracie!

She is doing well still no dark beard or darkness around her eyes so I don't think she is in constant pain just when she tries to put weight on it. I thought for sure she would get angry with me for changing her basking spot...but it hasn't seemed to phase her. Thank Goodness! Of course I'm pampering the heck out of her....making sure that she is as still and has to move as little as possible...other than water therapy. There is still no swelling or signs of bruising......so I'm pretty happy about that. I'm really not sure if it is her elbow or shoulder but I'm almost positive that she hyper extended it or twisted it. Though Frank seems to think that she could have dislocated her shoulder....I don't think so or she would stand differently I'd think. She did raise herself up to bask most of the day yesterday so she is putting some weight on it now.

Of course she'd wait until I wasn't home so she could make me feel bad. Little booger! She is a very hyper beardie the most active one in the house with the exception of Ms. Tiggs when she is gravid. :roll:
I don't think that RD will be getting her rock pile back when this is over. I think I'll be making a RD proof basking spot and hide combo....she is so psycho maybe it should be padded. :roll:

Thanks for checking in on her I appreciate your replies and concern.

 

[orion]

Have you considered going to the vet?? Or am I the only one who would go in this case? :?

 

[fresnowitte]

Have you considered going to the vet?? Or am I the only one who would go in this case? :?

No your not the only one that may go in this case.

The thing is it is 4 hours driving time to our vet and back...the nearest qualified herp vet. The second thing being there is no treatment from the vet for a stain or sprain other than the things I'm already doing. Believe me it was definitely my first thought an I have spoken to my vet. Even for humans there are minimal things you can do for a strain or sprain other than restricting the joint that is injured and staying off of it an allowing it to heal. If there were swelling or bruising an I thought for one second that it may be broken I'd have been waiting at the vets doorstep when he opened on Monday. Even if I were leaning at it being a dislocated shoulder I'd have taken her into see the Chiropractor at my vets office.

But thank-you for your suggestion.

 

[fresnowitte]

Tracie are you out there? I have a quick question.....
Humans take about 90 days to heal an injured muscle or tendon or what not right? Well how long does it take for a beardies injured muscle or tendon to heal? I mean does a beardie take less time or longer?

I put the question to the vet but haven't heard back from him yet. Thought you might know. Even an average will be a good enough answer for me.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Barbara,

How is RD doing today? Good that you have made a soft basking spot for her, are you going to pad her entire tank now?
Bearded dragons, as well as reptiles in general are surprisingly resilient. However, reptiles have a slower metabolism & healing ability. It will take longer for a torn ligament or tendon to repair than it would in a human or mammals. I would say it would take roughly 6-8 months to heal if it is a decent little tear.
I would really try the serrapeptase, it does help quite a bit. Warm baths on a regular basis can really help soothe the injured area also.

Is she eating pretty well right now & moving around with little to no problems too?

Tracie

 

[fresnowitte]

RD has eaten like a champ sense the day I brought her home over 2 years ago. The one thing I don't have to worry about with her is her appetite. But then you've seen her triple chin. :lol:

She has been very calm which I'm so happy for. She is up and eating not really moving around alot but very alert and ready to accept any food offerings. Pooping like normal and she has been her proud basking self.

I did discover when examining her arm today that it isn't her shoulder nor her elbow it is actually her wrist that seems tender.

Not only am I going to pad her viv but I might just pad them all while I'm at it. :lol:

We will place an order for the Serrapeptase.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Poor little RD ! I hate that she is hurt and it could take so long for her wrist to heal. It's a good thing she is not one of your headbobbing boys....running all over the place with that crazed look in their eyes :twisted: It would take her forever to heal!

Well, the one good thing is RD has the best of the best taking care of her. If there is anything we know about you Barbara.....it's that you love your babies and would do anything for them. RD is in good hands.....Nurse Barbara's hands! :wink:

Get Well Soon RD !

 

[fresnowitte]

Hey RD is starting to use her arm again. I mean she can put her weight on it now.
I busted her climbing onto her cushy basking spot......

 

[LJean]

Oh that is a good sign. I hope she is totally better quickly.