Bearded Dragon Problem

[Fred]

Ok here's the deal I woke up and I decided to check on my Bearded Dragon and it seems he's lost ability to walk, well he can walk properly with his front legs, but the back legs seem to have a problem. He has proper lighting and food. And the highest he can fall in his tank is about 4 inches. Anyone have an idea?

 

[skinheaddave]

I am sure there are numorous explanations for this. One I can think of off the top of my head is intestinal blockage putting pressure on the spinal column -- though I don't know if this is really possible or I'm just making it up. Regardless, take it to a qualified reptile vet.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[hemingway]

My $0.02

Far from an expert here, and absolutely get this guy to a vet for a real, qualified opinion, but I have several beardies and have done the requisite research. Sounds like one of two things.

- First, I agree with Fred. This could very well be paralysis as a result of impaction. If you've been feeding large prey items, or especially chitinous prey items, or if you keep him on sand, these are more likely. Also more likely if he's a little guy.

- Second, it could be a calcium problem. Are you keeping him under good UVB, and supplementing with D3 and calcium? I once saw a young one in a pet store suffering from bad mbd that showed some paralysis. It was also twitching, which might be a sign as well if that's the case with your guy.

Either way, definitely get him to a vet.

Kris

 

[boidaddic]

First I think its intestinal blockage as well, i've seen this in geckos too when fed too large of prey items. Second im good friends with Lynn Hedricks and she's been breeding them for 9 years and never once has she kept them on anything but play sand even the new borns, and never one has been impacted actually them being on sand is quite detrimental to them, since whenever she gets rescues that were kept on newspaper or whatever their legs are real weak and clumsy etc. I would suggest you soak him in warm water and see if he passes it, if not take him to a vet.
Eric Weintraub

 

[Fred]

Ok I'll soak him in warm water, and the city I live in, I don't think has a qualified reptile vet. He is under proper lighting (UVB) and he's a little guy.

 

[jmhendric]

I keep dragons and sounds like impaction. Give the dragon warm water baths shoulder deep and gently massage the belly. What are you feeding? what type of substrate is the dragon kept on?

 

[Fred]

I feed him crickets, meal worms, lettuce, sand as a substrate. I actually think he might have a broken back. So I have no idea what to do.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

What kind of lettuce do you feed? Lettuces like iceberg are not nutritious in any way, Romaine is tolerable but not recommended for major use. From what I'm seeing, the veggie portion of the diet should be things like collard/turnip/dandelion/mustard greens, maybe some squash, green beans, carrots, yams. Variety is usually pretty important.

What sort of sand do you have him on? This is really important for your main question. Play sand is alright, but calcium sand or silica sand is a disaster waiting to happen. Mind, I am only a research junkie and no beardie master like some of these others. Just adding what I can figure out.

Hope everything works out okay! Beardies are adorable.

 

[Fred]

Ok it's not intestinal blockage because he's crapped everywhere. I'll start feeding them the veggies list above. He's on playground sand. The reason why I think he has a broken back is because when he stands normally, his spine goes off to the side and sticks out way farther then normal.

 

[Iktomi]

Hopefully the dump he took was all that he needed. The rule of thumb for food portion size is nothing larger than the width between the dragon's eyes.