Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Picture taken back in january 2003

I brought Syd to the vet today to get some xrays to see if they could figure out what is wrong with her arm. The associate vet did an exam, said she looked great (other then the arm of course). She said she could feel something wrong with the shoulder area, but not sure what. Then took her back for a full body xray. She came back said she would need a different view as it didnt show detail, just that the left shoulder looked different. So she went back for side views of each shoulder (the non hurt one for comparison). She says there is/was a problem with the shoulder obviously. Looks to be a fracture but a healing one. It already has the new bone growing over the fracture etc. She says she doesnt believe it to be healing out of place or that the shoulder is dislocated but would like to confir with the head vet and see what she says. But that will be a couple days. So now I know a LITTLE bit more for $175 but in a way I dont feel a whole lot better because what can be done to help syd more? I have so many unanswered questions but unfortunately she just wasnt able to answer them. She did say it was most likely a stress fracture, not a displaced fracture? (I think thats what its called, dont quote me on it). What I mean is the vet didnt think it was a complete break.

I even asked about the breeding situation, how I dont want to breed anymore. How can I not breed them and still keep them healthy and live long lives. She stated all the health risks with ovarian issues, egg binding, etc etc. That only increased my fears. I think I am going to discuss the issue with the head vet in more detail I hope. There has to be a way to have them as JUST PETS!

Well thought I would update everyone. After the head vet looks at the xrays I asked them if I could borrow them and get them copied at the xray department in our hospital. They said they didnt see a problem with that. So maybe in a week or two I can post a picture of her xrays! Take care, Lindsay

OH! I forgot. She kept bringing up some kind of medication they use for humans, dogs, birds etc for joint issues. Its supposed to help the joints and would supposedly help her healing shoulder (if it is ok to use with them). She wasnt sure so she wanted to do more research and talk to some people. Has anyone heard of joint treatment therapy in beardeds?
-----
My Online Photo Albums

I'm glad you got some info on Syd anyway.....will be interested to see what else the lead vet says. It's good to hear the break is not all the way through and her body is taking care of business and growing new bone over the fracture. I presume the vet meant glucosamine and or chostocondroitin(sp).....I have 2 dogs that take it, as well as my husband. I haven't heard of it for reptiles, but that doesn't mean anything......lol.....let us know what you hear from the lead vet... take care

if you can find it with collegen all the better. This is a product that we have used for over 30 years on mammals and reptiles on a teaching farm for birth joint defects, in older animals and with broken bones. Its also known by the names of Joint Care Products and you can find them in most health food stores or pharmacies in the United States.

This is also the product that we got a company in United Kingdom to send Gunilla a sample of for her little dragon that had the hips problems and not using her back legs. (hip dysplasia)

If you want to read about the one that Gunilla used, here is the URL and I will let her tell you about how it worked on the baby dragon.
Glucosamine Sulphate with Collagen

I wasnt sure my vague description of joint therapy would help but that is the name of what she was talking about! Tracey and you are good!hehe

Anyways, I will wait to see how gunilla liked the stuff and see what the vet finds out as well. If it isnt going to harm Syd in anyway, I am open to using it. It might even help with some of the discomfort and pain which is what im hoping. However if it isnt necessary to use it, I am one who believes why use something if its not necessary, especially if its associated with risks or uncertainties. But she made it kind of sound like it would do her good?

Cheri if you could send me a formal e-mail with any information you have about using this product with reptiles etc that would be great. This way I can print it out and bring it to the vet to look at. Thank you, Lindsay
-----
My Online Photo Albums

asking for help for her bearded dragon baby, it appeared to have hip dysplasia at hatching and the back legs did not move hardly.

She's posted several updates over the past year using this product and the baby improved quiet a lot, it still has problems with one leg, but far better than it was and she gets around well now.

There are not any scientific studies that I know of, I grew up on a teaching farm where we housed Vet students for the summer between school years for 2 -12 weeks teaching animal husbandry. This was something we have used many times on all mammals and reptiles that had joint, ligament or tendon problems. I know many of the students that trained with us, continued to use this in their practice and never had anything but good reports and it is also recommended in the schools now.

On babies with dysplasia it can make the difference between being cripples for life or having a fairly normal life. We often used it on the older animals too when age and wear and tear was making movement too painful for them and it would give them a few more years of much less pain that it was ovious they were suffereing. It is one of the most common things given to large dogs that are very susceptable to hip and joint problems, I know that Ronnie of ABherps recently used it on a dog that was almost to the point of having to be put down due to pain and it make a big difference to him.