What is Wrong with Falcor?

[Beccaclocher]

Hello! Thank you for taking the time and reading my post. I rescued Falcor 4 years ago from a family member who could not care for him properly. Falcor has been the highlight of my life since having him. When I first got Falcor, I chose to continue with the Vet the previous owner went to. It turned out that when he was first brought in for care (with prev. owner), he had a case of yellow fungus, which the owner neglected to treat with BOTH recommended treatments (one topical and 1 injectable). I worked for years clearing ALL OF THE FUNGAL infection (topicals, oral and injectables)and things were gong great, until they weren't. His front hand (thumb and pointer finger) are growing out straight, he is acting like it hurts, he is throwing himself on his back and it is very alarming for me to see this. I feel that he is in pain and am scared for him, I called the Vet and we have an appt on Friday but am afraid they are going to want to amputate the fingers.

I have been soaking him, using Betadine and using Aquaphor on his thickened skin really helps with the build up of skin, but but not any more.


PLEASE HELP ME, this is my only pet and he means the WORLD to me

 

[xp29]

Hello! Thank you for taking the time and reading my post. I rescued Falcor 4 years ago from a family member who could not care for him properly. Falcor has been the highlight of my life since having him. When I first got Falcor, I chose to continue with the Vet the previous owner went to. It turned out that when he was first brought in for care (with prev. owner), he had a case of yellow fungus, which the owner neglected to treat with BOTH recommended treatments (one topical and 1 injectable). I worked for years clearing ALL OF THE FUNGAL infection (topicals, oral and injectables)and things were gong great, until they weren't. His front hand (thumb and pointer finger) are growing out straight, he is acting like it hurts, he is throwing himself on his back and it is very alarming for me to see this. I feel that he is in pain and am scared for him, I called the Vet and we have an appt on Friday but am afraid they are going to want to amputate the fingers.

I have been soaking him, using Betadine and using Aquaphor on his thickened skin really helps with the build up of skin, but but not any more.


PLEASE HELP ME, this is my only pet and he means the WORLD to me

It does look kind of bad. Even if they do amputate he'll be ok. It's common for hatchlings to bite off toes and even feet and the victim still lives a good life.
I'd just see the vet and post about what they say. @Drache613 may have advice after the vet visit

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That looks like it could be painful for him. Is this happening just on the one hand/fingers, correct?
Is this area having trouble shedding?
I wouldn't recommend just automatically amputate the fingers unless there is some type of infection
which is traveling into his system.
What type of UVB lighting are using currently?

Tracie

 

[Beccaclocher]

Hello,

That looks like it could be painful for him. Is this happening just on the one hand/fingers, correct?
Is this area having trouble shedding?
I wouldn't recommend just automatically amputate the fingers unless there is some type of infection
which is traveling into his system.
What type of UVB lighting are using currently?

Tracie

Hi Tracy. I use a Thrive Desert13 W bulb, and after researching a bit further on this site, it looks like he should have a minimum of 50 watt? I have a dual light set -up with uvb bulb next to basking light.
As for the location of concerns, this is only happening on 1 hand (2 fingers). This is the same arm that the fungal infection was on for years, the build up on his arm was so stiff he couldn't move it, thats when I tried the Aquaphor, it all shed off the next day.

 

[xp29]

Hi Tracy. I use a Thrive Desert13 W bulb, and after researching a bit further on this site, it looks like he should have a minimum of 50 watt? I have a dual light set -up with uvb bulb next to basking light.
As for the location of concerns, this is only happening on 1 hand (2 fingers). This is the same arm that the fungal infection was on for years, the build up on his arm was so stiff he couldn't move it, thats when I tried the Aquaphor, it all shed off the next day.

Those type uvb bulbs are totally inadequate for a beardie. They need a long tube type. Those screw in type bulbs can cause all kinds of health issues.
The ZooMed t5 10.0 high output are good, so are the Arcadia pro t5 12% desert.
A 24 inch fixture with a 22 inch bulb is plenty.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Thanks for giving the UVB type & brand. The Thrive UVB is a compact/coil light. I have personally
never used one from that brand. The compact/coil UVB lights normally are not very good. They don't
emit the proper UVB to UVI ratio & sometimes border on low wavelength UVB.
I would highly recommend one of the lights mentioned by xp29 for a much higher quality emission of
UVB for him.
So, he most likely has some calcium issues which could be causing the stiffness right now. When they
aren't exposed to enough strong UVB rays, they wont be able to absorb calcium & other vitamins very
well leading to health issues.

Tracie

 

[Beccaclocher]

Thank you! I have just ordered the REPTI ZOO UVB Reptile Light T5 HO UVB Lighting Combo Kit, Reptile Terrarium Hood with 10.0 UVB Tube Bulb, Reptile Light Fixture 24W-22Inch for Falcor! I will update you guys after the Vet visit Friday morning. I will be sure they check calcium levels.

 

[Beccaclocher]

Those type uvb bulbs are totally inadequate for a beardie. They need a long tube type. Those screw in type bulbs can cause all kinds of health issues.
The ZooMed t5 10.0 high output are good, so are the Arcadia pro t5 12% desert.
A 24 inch fixture with a 22 inch bulb is plenty.

Thank you! I have just ordered the REPTI ZOO UVB Reptile Light T5 HO UVB Lighting Combo Kit, Reptile Terrarium Hood with 10.0 UVB Tube Bulb, Reptile Light Fixture 24W-22Inch for Falcor! I will update you guys after the Vet visit Friday morning. I will be sure they check calcium levels.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you! I have just ordered the REPTI ZOO UVB Reptile Light T5 HO UVB Lighting Combo Kit, Reptile Terrarium Hood with 10.0 UVB Tube Bulb, Reptile Light Fixture 24W-22Inch for Falcor! I will update you guys after the Vet visit Friday morning. I will be sure they check calcium levels.

please change out the ReptiZoo UVB bulb --- you want a good quality bulb and those are really not very good - please get a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia 12% 24 watt bulb -- they are a way better bulb

 

[xp29]

Thank you! I have just ordered the REPTI ZOO UVB Reptile Light T5 HO UVB Lighting Combo Kit, Reptile Terrarium Hood with 10.0 UVB Tube Bulb, Reptile Light Fixture 24W-22Inch for Falcor! I will update you guys after the Vet visit Friday morning. I will be sure they check calcium levels.

I bet you see immediate improvement in him keep us posted

 

[Beccaclocher]

please change out the ReptiZoo UVB bulb --- you want a good quality bulb and those are really not very good - please get a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia 12% 24 watt bulb -- they are a way better bulb

I have just ordered one of the Reptisun 10.0 T 5 and will be here within 3-5 days.

 

[AHBD]

Wow, you've really worked hard caring for Falcor these past years. It's not easy to get them through a yellow fungus infection !

It seems like now he has a neurological problem [ flipping over ] that is likely related to the low quality uvb you have which kept him from absorbing calcium properly , that then affects every body function. Getting the good quality uvb will probably help after a while so hopefully you'll see good results ASAP.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am happy to hear that you have ordered the correct UVB lights. Sorry it's so frustrating to get everything
setup all perfectly for them, since there are so many cruddy UVB lights out on the market.
I'm sure that you will begin to see some drastic improvement real soon with better lighting.
Please keep us posted on everything & her progress.

Tracie

 

[Beccaclocher]

Here is the update after our Vet visit on Friday. Vet agrees with the change of lighting ASAP and agrees that we should watch for improvement. No mention of amputation during the visit (YAY). She took some blood and soaked him good, got some of the excess skin off his finger and was able to trim down the nail. He has been enjoying the new UVB and has not been trying to get out of his cage as much. The vet also prescribed injectable antibiotics Ceftazimide 100 MG to be injected every 3 days into his front legs (alternating front legs). I should be getting the lab results in today and hope that is is as simple as improving the lighting.

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

 

[Beccaclocher]

Wow, you've really worked hard caring for Falcor these past years. It's not easy to get them through a yellow fungus infection !

It seems like now he has a neurological problem [ flipping over ] that is likely related to the low quality uvb you have which kept him from absorbing calcium properly , that then affects every body function. Getting the good quality uvb will probably help after a while so hopefully you'll see good results ASAP.

Thank you ... I hope to see a big difference now with the proper lighting.