Young Beardie appears lame

[cyaneyedangel]

I have had my beardie for about 4 or 5 months, and he was fine, really active, eating brilliantly and everything up until about 4-6 weeks ago when he seems to have stopped using his back legs. He is still pooping fine and nothing has changed in his habitat between now and then, except now, his back legs just jutt out behind him and he wont use them at all. He generally moves around the tank pulling himself with his front legs, and his back legs stick up in the air behind him while he moves.he doesn't show any signs of discomfort while i bend his back legs for him, but he doesn't seem to have any desire to do this himself. I dust his food with calciuma dnd he has always eaten crickets and small greens. Is there something seriously wrong or is it growing pains?

 

[dragonlady04]

Absolutely!!!! You mentioned you used calcium but what about a UVB bulb? If you are using one what kind? And where is it located? Has he had any falls? Is he in with another dragon?

But no matter what your answers are, something is terribly wrong, and he needs to see a vet right away....

 

[cyaneyedangel]

His set up is perfect (although I know we all say that), it was set up for us by an eminent breeder in our area, his light and heat bulb are fine and he is not kept on loose substrate or with other dragons. Unfortunately reptile vets are in short supply, so he cannot be seen until Friday afternoon.

 

[dragonlady04]

I know THAT feeling. Just keep a close eye on him until them. Have you removed most items from his cage as a precaution? If he does have a problem, he certainly doesn't need to make it worse by falling off or onto something. My handicapped guy, that drags himself around, has nothing in his cage except a couple pieces of cork leaning slightly against the enclosure.

 

[munchkins9802]

i know you said your set up is perfect but just let us know what UVB bulb you are using along with the basking bulb. I was worried about impaction but you said pooping and no loose substrate that is good. What are his cool side and basking temps and how are they taken?
Glad to hear he has always eaten greens and also gets his feeders dusted with calcium.

 

[Fallencomrade2008]

Impaction can cause paralized back legs. Vet is a must. Give him a warm bath in the mean time to help him out and try to get him to drink a little.