teeny tiny beardie

[Animalmaster13]

Help!My sister got a beardie last year for x-mas.It was a great pet but then after a year we found out that we were supposed to have all the special lighting and protien. Well then our beardie starting limping and crawling around with just one leg and both arms, so we put up all the lighting and stuff and bath him but he still eats poorly, limps, and only is about 9 inches tail to head. What can I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And please tell me some thing I can do at home cause I really dont want to drive miles for a vet.

[ev477]

I'm no expert on lizards whatsoever. It doesn't really sound like the limping is from a lack of protein or insufficient lighting. I would suspect that it was from physical problem, (such as accidentally running into a wall or it getting accidentally caught on something in the cage). A lack of nutrients would probably be more likely to cause growth problems or skin discoloration or something. I hope someone more experienced with lizards can correct me or back me up whichever is the case.

I would first thoroughly check your husbandry, http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=55

What you can do now is correct your husbandry, I really think it would be a good idea to have a reputable herp vet check out your bearded dragon, not a dogs and cats vet, you can find a list the site has here http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56792

Since I am no expert on lizards, I am not able to tell how bad the scenario really is, but I believe your bearded dragon needs serious attention. I understand money can be an issue, but the investment in a vet check-up is usually not as expensive as you would anticipate. The cost is usually worth the security of knowing your pet's life is not in danger.

Keep us updated on what happens!

[STORMS]

I could be wrong...but that could be due to a calcium deficiency?? In regards to weakness of the limbs.

And lighting IS a big deal with beardies. What kind are you using?

What diet is your dragon on?

Matt needs to chime in

[Beardedragon]

Alright, first off, we need to know what you just got to make sure that everything is correct. What kind of UVB bulb, what kind of calcium and vits, what size tank is he in, whats his substrate, whats his basking temp, and how many crickets do you feed him a day( How big of crickets?)

More than likely he has MBD ( Bone disease do to improper husbandry) Does he twitch at all? A year without any supplements or light is a LONG time to be without any, and if you got him from a pet store its likely that he has never had the right things. I highly recommend you take him a good reptile vet, they can give him things to speed up the recovery process and also check for parasites if you have a fecal done ( Which I also highly recommend if you got him from a pet store, or any of his supplies) - Matt

[Clear]

I agree with beardedragon except he will never be 100%

[West Coast Jungle]

The proper lighting and vitamins are most important during growth and development. Since this guy never got the correct care he has calicium deficiency and his bone growth was impaired. You can improve his current husbandry but much of the damage is already done. Sorry

I periodically dust all my baby and adult dragons food with herpvite and calcium powder from Rep-Cal as well as providing two different sources of UV bulbs (Mercury Vapor and Reptisun 10.0). I also routinely keep them outside in screen cages to get the best light/UV there is.

That and a variety of foods with a staple of crickets and assorted greens and occasional treats(worms) such as supermealworms, silkworms or Phoenix worms .

This may not reverse all the damage but it certainly couldnt hurt.
If you ever need some beardie advice feel free to contact me via PM or email.
I have been keeping and breeding beardies for over 12 years and would be more than happy to help out.

[mckittie]

Wait... Aren't you supposed to be the Animal Master?

[Crazy4Herps]

I agree, it is most likely metabolic bone disease (MBD), which is caused by lack of calcium (supplements) and D3 (UV lighting). MBD is very serious and is often fatal. It causes brittle, fragile bones that can become deformed. In an advanced stage, the only thing to do is have the beardie humanely euthanized. Could you post a picture of your beardie?

First of all, I highly suggest you join the bd.org forum (www.beardeddragon.org/bjive). I am a member there and have gotten lots of help from very experianced and knowledgable beardie owners. Post a thread in the "Health" section.

To treat MBD, you need to fix the original problem; no calcium and D3. You said you "put up all the lighting and stuff", but we need to make sure you got the right stuff.
You need a UV light. The only UV light to trust is the ReptiSun: http://www.petmountain.com/product/r...-uvb-bulb.html
You will also need to supplement your dragon with calcium (preferably with D3) and Herptivite powders.
Calcium (phosphorous-free with D3): http://www.petmountain.com/product/r...itamin-d3.html
Herptivite (with beta carotine instead of vit A): http://www.petmountain.com/product/r...erptivite.html
Again, the only calcium and herptivite I trust is RepCal.

Beardie husbandry is quite complicated. If you have any other questions at all, please message me. Again, I strongly suggest you join beardeddragon.org. The people there are very helpful and friendly.