Wobbly Walking for over a year

[Shootex20]

Hi guys, so this is Zeus. I've had him for a year now, when I got him he wasn't doing quite well and for the past year I've been going back and fourth to and from the vet for check ups, he is currently battling mouth rot we think his first ever owner who had him never took proper care. He is a big beautiful guy close to 19" in length, weighs 425 grams, he has a Exo Terra UVB bulb 10.0, a 75 watt heat light (I'm going to change it to a 100 watt soon) he lives in a 40 gallon exo terra aquarium, his substrate is repti carpet. Zeus is 6 years old and he has been difficult to work with, I'm trying to get him to gain weight, but I love him to death. Zeus is also battling mouth rot since I've had him, it was mild mouth rot but his mouth is starting to clear up after so long.

My Question:
Since I've had Zeus his walking is very jittery, he falls on his back which led to me having to remove his perch, so I removed that nearly half a year ago so he wouldn't hurt himself (I'm a over protective momma), later I got him a small backing spot, and hammocks that go across his tank he still falls off but not quite as much.
When he walks, he wobbles and struggles sometimes rolls on his back sometimes (I'll put a video on here). I powder his butter worms and crickets since he cannot eat super worms, I feed horn worms every 2-3 days as a treat.

Ignore the gaping he does not have RI, the vet looked at him seen and heard nothing in his lungs he thinks it's from the mouth rot! And he has been doing it since I've had him.

Walking video>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2jCXa0o-TU&feature=youtu.be

Pictures of Zeus: http://imgur.com/a/Lsy5J

 

[CooperDragon]

He looks quite active and alert, especially with those head bobs. His walk does look a bit wobbly but it may be due to deficiencies in nutrients early in his life and may not be reversible. It's good that you removed hard to reach basking sites. It's best to cater to his ability at this point. A nice varied diet with lots of calcium rich greens like collards will help him along with high quality lighting. Are you using the Solar Glo 10.0 T8 tube? If so, how far is it above where he normally basks? Due to the output of a T8 it should be between about 6-8'' to be effective.

As far as the mouth rot goes, does he have any open sores or wounds in his mouth that may be causing him discomfort? That could be leading him to the gaping and possibly heavy breathing or "coughing". I saw that with one of my rescues once and also verified that he did not have an RI. It may be a good idea to treat his mouth with some MaxiGuard gel to help fight bacteria and further infection. A vet may decide that an antibiotic may be effective as well and depending on how advanced it is, surgery to remove dead/infected tissue may be an option as well.

Given his rough start and his age, he looks like he's doing pretty well overall!

 

[Mysty]

What a handsome fellow.

I agree that the displaying behaviour and the spurt of walking in the video suggest he's in good shape. You've made provisions to reduce the risk of him falling on his back in the viv and he's getting vet visits so you're a great dragon momma really.

 

[Shootex20]

He looks quite active and alert, especially with those head bobs. His walk does look a bit wobbly but it may be due to deficiencies in nutrients early in his life and may not be reversible. It's good that you removed hard to reach basking sites. It's best to cater to his ability at this point. A nice varied diet with lots of calcium rich greens like collards will help him along with high quality lighting. Are you using the Solar Glo 10.0 T8 tube? If so, how far is it above where he normally basks? Due to the output of a T8 it should be between about 6-8'' to be effective.

As far as the mouth rot goes, does he have any open sores or wounds in his mouth that may be causing him discomfort? That could be leading him to the gaping and possibly heavy breathing or "coughing". I saw that with one of my rescues once and also verified that he did not have an RI. It may be a good idea to treat his mouth with some MaxiGuard gel to help fight bacteria and further infection. A vet may decide that an antibiotic may be effective as well and depending on how advanced it is, surgery to remove dead/infected tissue may be an option ***** well.

Given his rough start and his age, he looks like he's doing pretty well overall!

Thanks! I don't have a t8 light fixture ( I have no where to put one in his cage without having to cut open the top which I may just do because they are better) I use a exo terra 10.0 UVB 12 watt bulb, he does get collards greens it's the only veggies he will really eat and sometimes kale (I know it's not good that's why it's once every week or two weeks) He eats some fruits as well, water melon without the seeds (his favorite) and sometimes strawberrys but only in such small pieces. He gets butter worms (he can't eat super worms), horn worms, wax worms, pheonix worms, and silk worms. And I will look into that maxiguard I'm not sure if it's available in canada but I will check pet smart and petland today!
And I the vet gave me something called Betadine solution as well.
Also his mouth has been blooding abit I forgot to mention that but it hasn't in awhile, it looks like a small cut on the inside of his mouth before the tip of his nose on the bottom half. I'll get pictures if I can!

Side note, thanks for the response!

 

[Shootex20]

What a handsome fellow.

I agree that the displaying behaviour and the spurt of walking in the video suggest he's in good shape. You've made provisions to reduce the risk of him falling on his back in the viv and he's getting vet visits so you're a great dragon momma really.

Thank you, I really appreciate the wonderful comment

 

[CooperDragon]

Ah so that's a compact coil bulb. The 13w coils really aren't powerful enough for a dragon. I recommend using at least the 26w UVB200 from Exo Terra which has similar output to a T8 and optimal UVB at around 6-8''. It isn't very effective beyond about 8'' and can be too intense closer than 6''. You may consider giving him a portable basking spot using a mercury vapor bulb in a clamp lamp if he's out of the tank often. I use a 100w MegaRay sitting about 10'' off the ground and it works wonderfully.

The variety of worms is very good. I'd limit the wax worms and butter worms to a smaller portion as they are relatively high in fat but the variety is a good idea. He should be getting mostly veges though so it's great he likes his collards. If he likes watermelon, he may really like squash. You can offer a wide variety of squash. I usually add yellow or green (zucchini) squash cut into little worm shapes into the salad and they're a big hit. They are pretty soft so it may be easy on his mouth too.

Your vet may have access to MaxiGuard so it's worth asking about. Betadine is a disinfectant that will work too. I would just be careful not to let him swallow much of it. I prefer to use betadine on external wounds and skin rather than internally. The MaxiGuard is designed specifically as an oral cleanser and brushing substitute which is why I like it for treating mouth wounds.

 

[Shootex20]

Ah so that's a compact coil bulb. The 13w coils really aren't powerful enough for a dragon. I recommend using at least the 26w UVB200 from Exo Terra which has similar output to a T8 and optimal UVB at around 6-8''. It isn't very effective beyond about 8'' and can be too intense closer than 6''. You may consider giving him a portable basking spot using a mercury vapor bulb in a clamp lamp if he's out of the tank often. I use a 100w MegaRay sitting about 10'' off the ground and it works wonderfully.

The variety of worms is very good. I'd limit the wax worms and butter worms to a smaller portion as they are relatively high in fat but the variety is a good idea. He should be getting mostly veges though so it's great he likes his collards. If he likes watermelon, he may really like squash. You can offer a wide variety of squash. I usually add yellow or green (zucchini) squash cut into little worm shapes into the salad and they're a big hit. They are pretty soft so it may be easy on his mouth too.

Your vet may have access to MaxiGuard so it's worth asking about. Betadine is a disinfectant that will work too. I would just be careful not to let him swallow much of it. I prefer to use betadine on external wounds and skin rather than internally. The MaxiGuard is designed specifically as an oral cleanser and brushing substitute which is why I like it for treating mouth wounds.

Alright! Thanks, and I feed him wax and butters because he is a pretty skinny boy and I want to fatten him up! (he's 400 grams) I'll talk with my vet and see if they have maxiguard, I'll check petstores too. And what type of squash would you recommend? I'm unsure how to cook it etc.

**EDIT** I will also buy him a new uvb, I take him out daily when it's warm out and let him bask in the light as well haha. He loves it

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

What a little cutie he is, head bobbing & all! LOL
I think he likely hasn't had quite enough UVB & perhaps hasn't absorbed enough calcium.
Which new UVB tube are you going to purchase? Maybe consider a T5 High Output bulb, such as the Reptisun 10 or the Arcadia D3 12%, both are great. I have had terrific success with the Arcadia.
Be sure to start giving some extra calcium, too. If you can take him out in the sun, that would help a lot.

Tracie

 

[kingofnobbys]

Oh my .... poor boy, but still has his mojo !!!

He looks quite active and alert, especially with those head bobs. His walk does look a bit wobbly but it may be due to deficiencies in nutrients early in his life and may not be reversible. It's good that you removed hard to reach basking sites. It's best to cater to his ability at this point. A nice varied diet with lots of calcium rich greens like collards will help him along with high quality lighting. Are you using the Solar Glo 10.0 T8 tube? If so, how far is it above where he normally basks? Due to the output of a T8 it should be between about 6-8'' to be effective.

As far as the mouth rot goes, does he have any open sores or wounds in his mouth that may be causing him discomfort? That could be leading him to the gaping and possibly heavy breathing or "coughing". I saw that with one of my rescues once and also verified that he did not have an RI. It may be a good idea to treat his mouth with some MaxiGuard gel to help fight bacteria and further infection. A vet may decide that an antibiotic may be effective as well and depending on how advanced it is, surgery to remove dead/infected tissue may be an option ***** well.

Given his rough start and his age, he looks like he's doing pretty well overall!

Thanks! I don't have a t8 light fixture ( I have no where to put one in his cage without having to cut open the top which I may just do because they are better)
<<<< I highly recommend ditching the mess lid , replace it with a piece of plywood precut / preholed (for the basking globe's fitting & reflector dome and some provision for ventilation.

Is dead easy to ask the trade desk at your hardware shop to supply the plywood and cut / create holes to order for maybe $2 per cut.... and even easier then to mount the T8 or T5 reflector hood

UNDER the new solid timber lid , but really it's very easy to mount a T8 or T5 reflector hood UNDER a mesh lid too.

I use a exo terra 10.0 UVB 12 watt bulb,

<<<< very fast immediate improvement if you swap to a 26W UVB200 , I don't think he's getting enough UVA and UVB with the 12W at the distance it is from his basking spot.

he does get collards greens it's the only veggies he will really eat and sometimes kale (I know it's not good that's why it's once every week or two weeks) He eats some fruits as well, water melon without the seeds (his favorite) and sometimes strawberrys but only in such small pieces. He gets butter worms (he can't eat super worms), horn worms, wax worms, pheonix worms, and silk worms. And I will look into that maxiguard I'm not sure if it's available in canada but I will check pet smart and petland today!
And I the vet gave me something called Betadine solution as well.
Also his mouth has been blooding abit I forgot to mention that but it hasn't in awhile, it looks like a small cut on the inside of his mouth before the tip of his nose on the bottom half. I'll get pictures if I can!

Side note, thanks for the response!

 

[CooperDragon]

I would bulk him up on the veges and some healthy protein such as roaches and silk worms and horn worms rather than a high fat diet which can lead to liver problems. I don't usually cook the squash but you can offer it cooked. I mostly offer yellow and zucchini squash which I just cut up as it is. I cut a circle off then cut that in half, turn it 90 degrees and then slice a bunch of worm shapes out of it and add that to the salad.

 

[Shootex20]

I would bulk him up on the veges and some healthy protein such as roaches and silk worms and horn worms rather than a high fat diet which can lead to liver problems. I don't usually cook the squash but you can offer it cooked. I mostly offer yellow and zucchini squash which I just cut up as it is. I cut a circle off then cut that in half, turn it 90 degrees and then slice a bunch of worm shapes out of it and add that to the salad.

Awesome! Well thank you, I didn't realize butters cause liver problems from the fat. The more you learn! and I don't think he can eat roaches, his mouth rot prevents him from eating any hard shelled worms.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

How is he doing today?
Since he can't eat crickets or roaches, definitely stick with softer bodied worms. Phoenix worms, silkworms, hornworms are very lean & great protein sources. Superworms are nice to add in there for variety as well as the butterworms.
Everything in moderation. I hope he is doing well!

Tracie

 

[Shootex20]

Hello,

How is he doing today?
Since he can't eat crickets or roaches, definitely stick with softer bodied worms. Phoenix worms, silkworms, hornworms are very lean & great protein sources. Superworms are nice to add in there for variety as well as the butterworms.
Everything in moderation. I hope he is doing well!

Tracie

He does great, thanks for checking in. I have videos the day I got him, he didn't walk like that before so I must've been the one to cause it. Now I feel really guily that I bought the complete wrong bulb. I'm hoping that he will stop wobbling like this, I doubled out his UVB lights 'til I can get a good florescent UVB lighting tube shaped light & lamp. Kinda sucks I'm beating myself up that I caused this.