Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a eastern bearded dragon. i had three but two of them died because of terminal integestion (i think ). my lizzard is starting to do things that the other two did before they died, like twitching in the hind legs, not wanting to eat and looking a bit fat. He is about 8 months old, was very healthy and has all the correct lighting/heating ect. he does still drink water off my finger and responds to hand movements. i would like to know if anybody has any coments because i herd it is pretty common in younger bearded dragons. Also if anybody knows what to do to save him please reply to this post or email me at toobs_bodyboarder@hotmail.com thanks.

Uhhhhhhh, if this dragon is doing the same thing that the other two did right before they died, then you need to get him to a vet ASAP! You need to tell us more about your cage and what you feed them also. Did you get a fecal done on this one after the other two died?

Well, what types of food do you feed him. Greens, crickets, worms? If crickets/worms, how big are they? Are you suplementing his meals with calcium and vitamins? What are your basking temps and cool side temps. You say you have the correct lighting, but can you say what you have so we can be sure. What substrate is he on, how big is the tank.

GO TO THE VET! Now! That is what should be done in any situation like this, you should have it check out if the other two died, even if its not showing the same symptoms. Just my thoughts ps any reason to think somthing is wrong is good enough reason for me to take my pets to the vet.

You need to get that beardie to the vet IMMEDIATELY! I can't stress that enough. I've lost a beardie to MBD (metabolic bone disease) and it's not something I want to see again. Here's a little info on MBD from my website...

"In general, metabolic bone disease is the weakening of the bone caused by an imbalance in vitamin D3, calcium, and phosphorus. Several foods, which have a high calcium content, such as spinach, carrots, collards, chards and other thick leafy greens, also contain oxalates, which bind calcium. When foods high in oxalates are eaten by a beardie, the oxalates attack the calcium and make it useless in their body.

"Vitamin D3, calcium, and phosphorus interact together to perform a number of functions besides bone growth and maintenance, including muscle contractions and blood coagulation. Too much phosphorus can throw this balance off, as can too much or too little vitamin D3 or too little access to UVB light. As the dangers of calcium deficiency become more widely known, there is also the risk of too much calcium (hypercalcemia), which is rare.

"Signs of metabolic bone disease include hard knobs in the long bones of the legs, bumps along the vertebral column of the back and tail, and softening or hard swelling of the lower jaw. Regular physical exams are important as these bumps may be felt before they can usually be seen. Visible signs of moderate to severe MBD include jerky movements when walking, repeated tremors, twitches, or spasms in the limbs and muscles of the legs and toes when at rest or after exercise, and shakiness when being held. More advanced cases of MBD include all the above signs plus constipation, anorexia, and fractured bones. Severely deficient Beardies tend to be lethargic and may only be able to drag themselves along the ground.

"There are several treatment options available for Beardies suffering from MBD. Moderate to severe cases of MBD require the proper diet, temperatures, and UVB as well as a more powerful calcium supplement than those found in pet stores. Oral administration of calcium glubionate (NeoCalglucon®, 1cc/kg) or injections of calcium lactate (Calphosan, 250 mg/kg) or calcium gluconate (100 mg/kg) are generally prescribed by veterinarians Studies have shown a faster recovery with calcitonin (Calcimar, Miacalcin, 50 IU/kg in the front leg, repeated once a week for two weeks) when it is administered to Beardies who have been a normal serum calcium level. A blood test by your vet will determine your Beardies serum calcium level. The use of calcitonin before normal levels have been established, may cause hypocalcemic tetany and death. In mild cases of MBD, where the signs are felt or just barely visible, can be treated by providing the proper environment and diet.

"The proper amount of UVB light is important and necessary in treating and preventing MBD. Vets have prescribed the use of self-balasted mercury vapor UVB/heat bulbs as part of the treatment for MBD. These bulbs have a UVB element and a heat element, all rolled into one. The bulbs are a little pricy, but are supposed to last up to two years. I have these bulbs in all of my Beardie enclosures now and am astonished with the results. After a few weeks of installing the new bulbs, I noticed a major color enhancement in all of my beardies! Check out my Recommended Products page for names and distributors of these bulbs.

"Along with proper day and night temperature gradients and a nighttime dark period, proper diet is essential to recovery. During recovery, your beardie should be fed calcium-rich, nutrient dense foods such as squashes, green beans, alfalfa (from alfalfa powder, crushed alfalfa tablets, alfalfa tea, or softened rabbit food pellets or pulverized hay cubes), parsnips, mustard greens, dandelions, escarole, and fruits such as figs, papaya, cantaloupe and berries. The food should be supplemented with additional calcium and a multivitamin formulated for reptiles."

Sorry for posting all that info. Just trying to be helpful. Please get your beardie to a knowledgable reptile vet as soon as possible. By what you're describing, it sounds like your beardie is in the late stages of MBD and is very weak. They usually don't last long at this point unless treatment is received immediately.

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

Thanks alot for you info, i had a good reed. But unfortunatly when i got home from school this afternoon he was dead, i am pretty pissed off.