Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what would happen to a Chinese Water dragon that apparently dislocated his femur from his hip bone? It seems as though one of my CWDs fell sometime and did this such thing. When I went to look at it closer, I was able to feel it "pop" back into place. When something hurts or bothers him, he'll squirm relentlessly and I imagine that he might even try to bite. But apparently this doesn't seem to bother him at all. I put his femur back into place, but when he went climbing again, it popped right back out. It doesn't affect his climbing nor hurt him. Is this a life/death situation or can he live a happy and healthy life and breed without much pain? I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow, but some optimism would be appreciated.

I has seen this type of injury before, it usually occurs in growing Waterdragons 2yrs and less. The cause is generally the use of some sort of heat pad or heat rock that the animal spends to much time on. The tendons around the joint relax from heat and grow larger producing the problem that your describing. Its possible that the situation will correct itself if remove the heat pad, but its just as likely permanent. In the future you should use a radiant heat source such as an overhead lamp or ceramic heater.

I took him to the vet, and it's not a tendon that holds the bone in place...it's a ligament. Nonetheless, it was caused by a fall, and doesn't affect his mobility nor cause him pain. It's just there...and he'll have to get used to it. Oh yeah...I have an uth but it barely heats the bottom of the tank and I have over head bulbs...I wish people would stop assuming what set-ups I have. [bleep], I have 14 lizards and have done research out the ass. I'm really tired of people telling me what to do and how to do it. I know that I asked for opinions...but I also asked for optimism. And this was like 3 days ago. ANY reply took forever. When I make any sort of critism, I make sure to make it constructive and to get all the facts straight before I go making accusations.

I am not making acusations, I am just telling you what I know to be helpful. If your using a heating pad then you should be suspect of it.