Vet cant tell me whats wrong with my bearded dragon

[dawn newby]

Hi guys, my 11 year old bearded dragon has had a rough couple of months. He started to struggle to walk. I took him to the vets he's had lots of tests. She started him on pain killers, then steroids, then a heart medication now he is on another heart medication but she has said I need to realise he's not going to get better and it's time to let him go but can't tell me what is wrong so I'm very conflicted as to what to do. He really can't walk very well which is obviously sickening to see but other than he is the same. Has anyone else experienced this at all and if not what would you do?? TIA

 

[Bailey]

I'm sorry, it is probably because of his age-

 

[Sadie]

Hi guys, my 11 year old bearded dragon has had a rough couple of months. He started to struggle to walk. I took him to the vets he's had lots of tests. She started him on pain killers, then steroids, then a heart medication now he is on another heart medication but she has said I need to realise he's not going to get better and it's time to let him go but can't tell me what is wrong so I'm very conflicted as to what to do. He really can't walk very well which is obviously sickening to see but other than he is the same. Has anyone else experienced this at all and if not what would you do?? TIA

Please post pics of the dragon--- did the vet do any blood work ? If they did do you have it please post --- the walking did they say any thing about MBD --- did they do a X ray to see calcium or even blood work should show calcium levels-- what kind of UVB are you using? coil or a tube and for how long? It sounds like MBD --- is he eating? Do not do anything as of yet --- post the pics so I can get some more help on this and anything from the last vet visit

 

[dawn newby]

I'm sorry, it is probably because of his age-

Thank you for answering me. Would you have him euthanized because he was struggling to walk even though everything else is normal with him??

 

[dawn newby]

Please post pics of the dragon--- did the vet do any blood work ? If they did do you have it please post --- the walking did they say any thing about MBD --- did they do a X ray to see calcium or even blood work should show calcium levels-- what kind of UVB are you using? coil or a tube and for how long? It sounds like MBD --- is he eating? Do not do anything as of yet --- post the pics so I can get some more help on this and anything from the last vet visit

Hi there yes he has had blood work done twice. I thought it was mbd but the vet said all his bloods have come back fine as did his feacal checks. His set up is fine. No coil lamps etc. I will send a pic when his lamp comes on. Yes he gets up to bask in the morning, then has his breakfast and sits on his fave log all day. The vet said that she can do a CT scan(£450) but will only show what's wrong, she's thinking problems with organs due to age, but won't be able to do anything about it just have to accept he's come to the end of his life but I feel like even though his mobility is hard for him everything else is fine and thats why I'm conflicted??!!

 

[dawn newby]

Hi there yes he has had blood work done twice. I thought it was mbd but the vet said all his bloods have come back fine as did his feacal checks. His set up is fine. No coil lamps etc. I will send a pic when his lamp comes on. Yes he gets up to bask in the morning, then has his breakfast and sits on his fave log all day. The vet said that she can do a CT scan(£450) but will only show what's wrong, she's thinking problems with organs due to age, but won't be able to do anything about it just have to accept he's come to the end of his life but I feel like even though his mobility is hard for him everything else is fine and thats why I'm conflicted??!!

The vet hasn't given me the results of the test just told me verbally that all tests have come back clear

 

[dawn newby]

Please post pics of the dragon--- did the vet do any blood work ? If they did do you have it please post --- the walking did they say any thing about MBD --- did they do a X ray to see calcium or even blood work should show calcium levels-- what kind of UVB are you using? coil or a tube and for how long? It sounds like MBD --- is he eating? Do not do anything as of yet --- post the pics so I can get some more help on this and anything from the last vet visit

 

[dawn newby]

Also I have emailed the vets to ask for copies of all the results from the tests he has had so I will upload these once I have received them.

 

[Bailey]

Awww hes adorable. Euthanizing is completely up to what you think. If he isn't in pain everyday and constantly suffering let him be, just be easy with him. Is he still eating / basking regularly?

 

[Sadie]

Thank you for answering me. Would you have him euthanized because he was struggling to walk even though everything else is normal with him??

No struggling to walk is not a reason to euthanize --- please get the test posted ASAP -- I am going to have a vet tech mod look at him and another person I know that is good w/ handicap dragons- in the meantime please get him off the floor - floors are cold and drafty and not very sociable for him down there they like to be able to see whats going on --- next the yellowish bulb please replace w/ a CLEAR bright white light basking bulb he needs UV and I am thinking those yellowish bulbs do not give off UV example a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb are you taking basking temps w/ a digital probe? Also please get some textured flooring in the tank the tile is nice but there is NO traction for the dragon making it difficult to walk this could be a reason for him not walking so good --- either replace the tiles that are in there or get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner in there cut to the size of the tank so he can get some traction you can find this at Walmart or your local home improvement store --- Please tell me what UVB your using the brand of the bulb and the bulb T 5 or a T 8 --- how old is the UVB? How tall is the tank please? Please get the basking bulb replaced ASAP --- basking temps and UVB are the most important things in the tank --- they are the lifeline to the dragon ---

 

[dawn newby]

Awww hes adorable. Euthanizing is completely up to what you think. If he isn't in pain everyday and constantly suffering let him be, just be easy with him. Is he still eating / basking regularly?

Thank you, yes he's the sweetest boy. He doesn't seem to be in pain and the first thing the vet gave me whilst we were waiting for the test results was a anti inflammatory pain killer which didn't make any difference so don't think there's any pain. Yes he gets up in the morning and goes over to bask. Has his breakfast and then gets on his log for most of the day. The thought of losing him is hurting a lot more than even I realised it would so I just want to make sure I'm not being selfish keeling him going. You know if his head was down, black beard, hiding away etc I would think its his time but whilst he still seems quite content the way he is I think I am going to wait until I think he's had enough. I really appreciate you getting back to me. Thank you x

 

[dawn newby]

No struggling to walk is not a reason to euthanize --- please get the test posted ASAP -- I am going to have a vet tech mod look at him and another person I know that is good w/ handicap dragons- in the meantime please get him off the floor - floors are cold and drafty and not very sociable for him down there they like to be able to see whats going on --- next the yellowish bulb please replace w/ a CLEAR bright white light basking bulb he needs UV and I am thinking those yellowish bulbs do not give off UV example a Exo Terra Intense basking bulb are you taking basking temps w/ a digital probe? Also please get some textured flooring in the tank the tile is nice but there is NO traction for the dragon making it difficult to walk this could be a reason for him not walking so good --- either replace the tiles that are in there or get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner in there cut to the size of the tank so he can get some traction you can find this at Walmart or your local home improvement store --- Please tell me what UVB your using the brand of the bulb and the bulb T 5 or a T 8 --- how old is the UVB? How tall is the tank please? Please get the basking bulb replaced ASAP --- basking temps and UVB are the most important things in the tank --- they are the lifeline to the dragon ---

Hi so I'm in the UK so I think our bulbs are slightly different. I have the heating on in the room he is in and the room temp he is in at 21° it is not draughty or cold but I can move it no problem. I have attached a pic of the box that the basking lamp came in and I use the arcadia 10% desert lamp they are both changed every 6 months. Yes I use a temp gun. I will also attach photo. The tank is 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. The sofa is directly opposite him he can see us and the TV from there. He loves to watch football actually it Sunday afternoon here 3.30pm so I should get the test results in the morning I will post as soon as I have them. I will post pics of tank temp. Basking area, cool end and tile temp. Really appreciate you asking your vet tech friends their opinion. Will post pics now

 

[dawn newby]

Hi so I'm in the UK so I think our bulbs are slightly different. I have the heating on in the room he is in and the room temp he is in at 21° it is not draughty or cold but I can move it no problem. I have attached a pic of the box that the basking lamp came in and I use the arcadia 10% desert lamp they are both changed every 6 months. Yes I use a temp gun. I will also attach photo. The tank is 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. The sofa is directly opposite him he can see us and the TV from there. He loves to watch football actually it Sunday afternoon here 3.30pm so I should get the test results in the morning I will post as soon as I have them. I will post pics of tank temp. Basking area, cool end and tile temp. Really appreciate you asking your vet tech friends their opinion. Will post pics now

 

[dawn newby]

I will go and have a look for some textured liner now

 

[dawn newby]

Would either of these be any better if the one I have shown that I am using is not good enough?

 

[dawn newby]

Would this work for the liner??

 

[dawn newby]

Or this??

 

[Sadie]

I will go and have a look for some textured liner now

Is the Arcadia bulb the one your using now? If it is its odd that its giving off a yellowish hue-- The IR guns are good but I would also invest in a digital probe thermometer --they are the most accurate and it looks like your temps are good -- but sometimes IR guns do not read correctly off of certain materials - they arent that expensive most people use the Zoo Med -- For your Arcadia 10% bulb I would try and get the 12% bulb --- it should have a distance of 12-15 inches directly above your basking decor -- w/ the 24" height your good --- as far as leaving him on the floor your good if you want to leave him there - most floors are real drafty and if hes in your LR hes got company it is up to you --- 12% UVB bulbs need to be changed out every year I recommend a month prior to- w/ this being said and your dragon not having MBD I am thinking the reason for the difficulty in walking is the flooring in the tank --- after getting this replaced please watch how he walks --

 

[Sadie]

Or this??

Second one looks good one from Amazon --- lots of people get them off Amazon

 

[Sadie]

Would either of these be any better if the one I have shown that I am using is not good enough?

Thats just it I am not sure if its the pic giving off that yellow hue as Arcadia bulbs are good - you can always use a back up bulb so I would get it and put it in and see if there is a color difference -- but you want Clear bright white and the bulb you have says UV so I am stumped -- get that Arcadia you just posted that looks like a clear bulb --- see if the lighting is more bright when you put it in --- either way you can always have it for when the other one blows -- or if your temps start to not be what they should they do fade in time for temps they get weaker