Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I rescued a young beardie the other day from the freezer whose back legs are not working, they twitch, but thats it. Since in my care, she eats like crazy (gut loaded meal worms and crickets), and gets around very well. We have added calcium and UVB light to her diet (well, uvb light to her cage, not her diet). She is only about 3 inches in full length.

Does this sound like mbd to those of you who know it? If so, what else can i do for the little one? She has such a great temperment and apetite, except she wont touch the greens.

Also, she is pooping well, so no impaction present.

I appreciate all the help!

Hunter

put the dragon under a light bulb that actually produces UVB light...also known as a mercury vapor bulb
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a free range dragon is a happy dragon

three inches in total length? Sounds like a hatchling. Twitching can be a sign of metabolic Bone disease, but with rear leg paralysis as well, could be impaction or too large prey items. I would skip mealworms completely, stict with 1/8th to 1/4 inch crickets, no bigger than the space between it's eyes. Make sure the dragon gets plenty of water, via misting and soaks. If the twitching and rear leg paralysis doesn't improve in a day or to, take him to a vet. If it is due to lack of calcium and or vitamine d3, the vet can inject fluids and calcium/d3 directly into the blood stream. (usually injected under the skin where it can be absorbed quicker).

If you live somewhere where it's warm outside and sunny, taking it out for direct natural sunlight would be great for him. Just make sure there is a shaded area of the container (use a rubbermaid or sterlyte container to take him outside with, easier to move around and ensures he can't get away from you by accident ) and no animals can get into it. Make sure you stay out there with him too, this way no accidents or neighbourhood cats, dogs or birds can get at your dragon or stress him out.
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PHLdyPayne

>>Does this sound like mbd to those of you who know it? If so, what else can i do for the little one? She has such a great temperment and apetite, except she wont touch the greens.
>>
>>Also, she is pooping well, so no impaction present.
>>

Hunter,
It is probably MBD. Nothing beats real sunlight to help with MBD, it may look worst at first though. Calcium (phosphorous free) everyday and make sure she gets water; spray and soak her. You might want to have a fecal done for parasites. It irritates me (only worst) when people do not spend the time and/or money to provide even minimum acceptable care! (not you, the previous owner) Please do not breed her.
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Rick
Never Enough
Reptiles

Unfortunately weather does not permit us to go outside.

She is not a hatchling, but what i would consider probably a stage 3. The reason meal worms are being used is she doesn't have to drag her feet around running after them, and she readily accepts them, as she does crickets too. But we also have plenty of crickets.

We will be going to the vet if things dont turn around for her soon. I just got a replacement MVB in from ESU, but doesnt look like the replacement is working, so might have to go through that again, but she is under 10.0 UVB.

Plenty of water is offered and available, along with pure Lime calcium carbonate.

thanks for the help
Hunter