Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's an issue I haven't seen before: one of my otherwise healthy juvi easterns doesn't seem to have use of his back legs. He drags himself across the sand w/front legs only; climbs rocks, basks, etc.

I haven't seen him eat recently either, but still takes water from the mistings.

I also noticed two dull patches of skin above each eye. His appearance is otherwise good: coloration, plumpness.

Would appreciate any input if anyone's seen this before.

jmpeniche

Need to know a few things.... if you use a uvb light and what kind? And also what he has been eating, how big is his prey items.... and do you ever see him eat sand? And last, was there any way he was dropped or hurt, something falling on him?

This symptom of.. dragging back legs can be caused by any of those things I mentioned,

1. calcium problem, ( lack of) / no uvb light to help absorb calcium

2. impaction- eating something too big or something that is not moving through his system, can not pass it, bag legs will drag. Need to soak in warm water, and give a few drops of mineral oil to get things moving if it is not to serious.

3. An injury can cause this

Let us know more, so we can figured it out , but I must say A vet would be a GOOD idea at this point.

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PHEve / Eve

Thanks, Eve. Unfortunately, I just bought this guy from a reputable breeder and don't have the background on his care, though I assume most of the usual conditions for keeping collareds was maintained. (I've seen this breeder recommended on this Forum before, and I'll pass along your comments to get his response. I bought a batch of 11, and they all look great. Even the one in question looks good, just drags his legs.)

I also found a post titled "Something's Wrong", dated 12/07/08, describing the same problem. I see based on your comments and that thread that the issues could be related to calcium, MDB, etc. I'll approach it from that perspective and let you know.

At the very least I'll try giving him a liquid vitamin/calcium w/D3 solution orally if I can't get him to eat dusted crickets or mealworms.

Sometimes having such a large clutch and maybe the Mom had a few cluthes before this last one you got, some of the kids may be calcium deficient, as Mom must have been quite Zapped herself.
It happens, I find sometimes the last clutch the kids some are smaller lower weights so forth.

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PHEve / Eve

Thanks, again, for your comments. As always they're very helpful. BTW, I do use UVB in both my 20-gal long setups: Repti-Sun 10.0, 20W. Would you recommend I use calcium w/D3 to dust their food in addition to using the UVB lamps or would that be too much?

With hatchlings and juvey your supposed to dust their insects with calcium every feeding, so yes I do think it will help. You do need to know WHY he is dragging the back legs, if it is a lack of calcium than he should be getting liquid calcium a couple times a day a couple drops, for a while. I do not feel comfortable telling you what doses so forth when I really do not know what the cause is yet.

You should have him checked so you will know if it is a calcium deficiency or possible impaction since he's so young. I hope he will be okay, let us know.
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PHEve / Eve