Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today the neighborhood kids came over to see the kritters, and one of the kids wanted to hold my juvinile beardy, Spitfire, so I took him out and let her hold him. Spitfire started to move, and she screamed and flung him on the floor, and now spitfire is paralyzed, starting at his back legs and all the way down the tail. When I told the girl what she had done, she started to laugh. What can I do to help him? Will he ever be able to use his legs again?

Thanks,
Andrew

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Damm that sucks!

if it's a shocked / traumatised spine it *Might* heal.

I'd say find a vet and get x-rays ASAP!!!!

for that first x-Ray almost any vet will do if you don't have a reptile vet handy. you need to know as soon as possible if your dragon has broken bones and or tissue damge ... any decent lab tech with the right x-ray gear should be able to get pictures which if need be can also be passed on to a herp vet later to comppare with etc...

after that get a herp vet to get more details.

and be very carefull on who you let handle any reptile. many folks will freak out ....

and talk to the childs parents and to the child.

try to be calm and explain to the child that it was not funny. that your pet is a living thing and is hurt.

but I hate to say that *YOU* must take ultimate blame for leting someone handle that animal. I never let anyone hold a bd till I can tell they are ok with it and won't drop it etc...

I know it's a real bad exp. for you and don't mean to be to rough.... hope it is just trauma and the bd gets over it.
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