Do you guys think they can cast a broken leg, ankle or shoulder? Or splint a sprain? Pop back in a dislocated shoulder? Also how would they possibly get a good view in a xray of a arm that small? Just curious.
After laying her clutches this year Syd must of had a low calcium level and she hurt her front arm coming down of her basking logs. It never swelled up or even looked different. Also other then the fact that she limps and wont use it much, you wouldnt know anything was wrong with her. She eats like a pig, still wabbles around and doesnt seem in pain. I talked to a couple keepers and breeders and they suggested extra calcium, sun, soaks and to give it some time to heal as it sounded like a sprain. But it has been over a month at least and she still limps. I have been taking her out in the sun at least 3-4 times a week which she loves. She has been getting extra treats (roaches, grasshoppers, worms, a pinky mouse, plus her greens of course) and lots of calcium (little w/ d3 and most without d3 to avoid toxicity). She has also taken several baths which she really seems to enjoy, as it probably takes off all the weight on her arm. For the first few weeks I took away her basking spot. She acted depressed so I finally gave in and gave her basking spot back. She acts much better, more active, alert and normal in every way except the limp.
Unfortunately I have little confidence in the vets up here. I have been to 3 different reptile vets who are supposed to be the "best"! YEAH RIGHT! I spent a couple thousand dollars on my dragons in vet bills the first year and a half I had them. Between office visit fees, fecal fees, medicine fees, xray fees, lab test fees, and at the last visit emergency fee, anesthesia and euthanasia fee.
Anyways my point is, I do care for my dragons and I try to do the best for them that I can. But when the vets have done nothing but eat your money and let you down it makes it very difficult. The sad part is, everytime I went to the vets hoping to get answers or help for a bearded dragon, they either didnt know what was going on, mis-diagnosed them or couldnt do anything for em. So you can see why I try not to bring them to the vet unless I really have to. We even bought our own microscope for 200.00 (plan to get a better one someday), all the solutions to run fecals, plus 3 different books to help us learn.
I am sure MANY people will disagree with me. But I know I do the best I can for my dragons. Hey, if you live near me or know of a vet within an hour of me who is actually good with bearded dragons, I would be more then willing to check them out.
You know what else makes me mad about vets. I always thought they were in it for the love of animals. But today it seems like most are in it for the money! I dont know if its where I live or what. But it is highly disappointing. I went to this vet for a long time with my cats, ferret etc then a couple years with my dragons. Not ONCE did they offer me any sort of multiple animal discount or discount in general. They always gave me a hard time when I wanted to bring just a fecal in. As a matter of fact they wouldnt do it. I had to bring a dragon in EVERY time. What kind of bull is that? Usually when you have many reptiles the vets kind of work with you a little. None of them have up here. It is so frustrating. I would love to be able to collect samples from all my dragons every 3-6 months, drop them off and have the vets check them for $20 a piece and if its positive treat, if its not then dont. But they refuse to do it. They state they have to see the reptile for an exam. At 55 an office visit plus all the extras you can see how I quickly ran a couple thousand credit card bill. UGHHHH!!!
Wow, I guess I have some built up anger towards the vets up here or something. Back to my original questions. What could be wrong? Do breaks, sprains have swelling? Can they dislocate their shoulder, if so wouldnt that mean it would just dangle? Could it be possible that she is just taking a little longer to heal from a sprain?
Oh and before people decide to jump me on my decisions and question my ability to care for my animals look back over the past couple years in posts and you will see that I go way above and beyond.
If you think you can help or have a similiar experience please let me know. Thanks a bunch, LindsayMarie
-----
My Webshots Albums
thanks, Lindsay 