Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I woke up this morning my baby beardie was in the far corner of his cage with his right back leck twitching. He didn't seem to be able to move around. I picked him up and bathed him in warm water trying to encourage a poop, but he didn't. He seems completely alert and moveable now (he is basking), but his right back leg is still twitching. What should I do?

Increase his vitamins and especially calcium intake. Also, be sure that you're providing a quality UVB source. The leg twitching is a sign of calcium deficiency.

I couldn't agree more

This has been going on and off all day:

He basks for 20 minutes or so, then his legs start twitching again. He doesn't seem to be able to move them. Then I put him in warm water for 15 minutes or so, which seems to restore movement and get rid of the twitching for another 20 minutes or so.

At one point he had a sort of a seisure and fell off his basking rock, I soaked him and he seemed fine.

I am pretty sure he ate a couple mealworms that were too large. What about forcefeeding a bit of prune? Natural laxitive?

I cannot afford a trip to the vet, so any feedback here would be helpful.

careful about mentioning not being able to go to the vet, you'll start another thread like the one below this!!!

anyways, its sounds likes your baby is impacted or at least having difficulty passing something. a couple of points to help out

- is he on particulate substrate - if so change it to newspaper or paper towels to prevent worsening impaction.
- dont feed mealworms unitl they are much older - mealies are hard to digest (too much chitin) and are not very nutritious - stick to crix smaller than the gap between his eyes
- soak the bd in warm water for 20 mins and massage the lower belly region to help things break up and move along
- try administering a drop or two of mineral (or olive) oil twice a day, just drop in on the nose or into the mouth. the oil helps thigs shift also
- cut back on feeding until the poop is passed

you dont say when the last poop was (unless i missed it) but if this goes on for longer than a week you should probably seek vet care promptly

just my opinion, trying to help
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Ross

0.2 Bearded Dragons (1 Yellow, 1 Chris Allen/Sandfire)

He pooped yesterday.

I bumped up the basking temp (undertank heater) and I put a drop of olive oil on his nose which he licked off. I will bathe him in warm water and massage his lower stomach now.

You need to give him calcium powder. If he pooped yesterday and he can move around fine, then the problem isn't impaction. As I posted earlier in this thread, the leg twitches are signs of calcium deficiency. You need to give him calcium powder (ph free). At his young age, he should be getting some calcium everyday or at least several days a week.

As others have stated, don't give him any more mealworms for a few months, stick to crickets and veggies.

The twitches will continue on and off until he gets enough calcium.

I will wait until he poops, and then I will start giving him the powder.

You said: I bumped up the basking temp (undertank heater)

Is that his only heat source? If so, you need an overhead basking light.

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www.classylizard.com

He has a UVB light.

He needs a basking light so heat comes from above, like the sun would do. It needs to be at least 100 degrees.

A dome light like this one..

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www.classylizard.com

Undertank heaters are useless for bearded dragons. Bearded dragons need heat from above, as that is how they naturaly bask. Get a holded light with a regular lightbulb and mounted it above the basking spot. Just make sure it isn't low enough for the dragon to get into contact with the bulb. Set the temperature on the basking spot so it falls between 95-115F. Use a digital thermometer with probe to measure the temperature (or a temp gun). The fact he isnt' gettign proper basking temps could be why he's having trouble digestion food.

Use calcium powder on every other cricket feeding, as well as a multivitame, whether he poops or not. If the leg twitching persists or gets worse in the next couple days, then I suggest getting him to a vet. Some vets will allow you to pay in monthly installments, instead of all at once, so that could be helpful as well.

Thats what I am talking about buddy. I have a UVB dome basking light that makes the basking area around 95 degrees. Someone said that I need to bump up the heat, so I put a small undertank heater in there.

n/p
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
1.0 pictus gecko (Nicodemus)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
0.0.1 tarantula (Calcifer)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

No.

Well, that is the only type of bulb that puts out adequate heat and UVB for bearded dragons. What you have is most likely a "full spectrum" bulb which sometimes do claim to produce UVB, but it's a VERY small amount. The only thing your lamp is doing right now is providing heat, and it's still kinda low. Next time you buy a heat lamp, get a regular spotlight at the grocery or hardware store. Does the same thing only better, and lasts longer. Increase the wattage as well so that your basking spot gets up to 110F-115F.

You're dragon needs a proper UVB light, stat. It's very likely developing a calcium deficiency and that's why it is twitching. Get it a Reptisun 5.0 or ExoTerra 8.0 fluorescent bulb and hood, and increase the calcium suppliments.

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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
1.0 pictus gecko (Nicodemus)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
0.0.1 tarantula (Calcifer)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

He is about two weeks old, and here is the care information:

10 gallon cage
paper towel substrate
92-94 basking temp
yesterday he ate 4-5 small crickets, a small amount of collard greens, and two mealworms (what I think the problem is)

Right now he is basking with not a twitch. I hope it's all over.

the basking temp is too low so yur beardy cannot digest properly - you should see a great improvement soon
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Ross

0.2 Bearded Dragons (1 Yellow, 1 Chris Allen/Sandfire)