Vet cant tell me whats wrong with my bearded dragon

[Sadie]

Do you know what the humidity is in the tank?

 

[dawn newby]

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 --

Hi yes I'm using the arcadia one now and I changed it on Sunday. I'm thinking maybe as the tank is white it doesn't look as white as it may do if it was in a different colour tank ‍ I have a digital probe thermometer just by the basking spot as well to help keep an eye and I also control the tank temp with a habistat thermostat and I have that probe at the cool end set on 29°. I have only just changed the uv bulb but I can get some new ones no problem. It's cost me £600 so far for vets fees so a little more won't make much difference now I just want him to be comfy and content. I'm so glad you said mobility isn't a reason to let him go as that's how I felt in my gut but didn't want to go against the vets advice. I've felt all the tiles and they are toastie but will def change for something with a bit more traction. I'm really grateful for your time and advice Sadie. Thank you

 

[dawn newby]

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

OK great I will order that now

 

[dawn newby]

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

OK will do as you said always good to have a back up

 

[dawn newby]

Do you know what the humidity is in the tank?

I don't actually I will get a gage as well while I'm at it

 

[Sadie]

I don't actually I will get a gage as well while I'm at it

Ok get a digital probe one Zoo Med sells them as well --- you want the probe placed on the back center wall of the tank it will read the whole tank -- optimal humidity is 40-50% nothing below 20 and nothing over 70%

 

[dawn newby]

Ok get a digital probe one Zoo Med sells them as well --- you want the probe placed on the back center wall of the tank it will read the whole tank -- optimal humidity is 40-50% nothing below 20 and nothing over 70%

Great thanks!

 

[spambortner]

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

Not unless he was in constant pain.

 

[Earls MUM]

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??!!

As tough as this might sound it could be his long life is coming to its natural end. It is heartbreaking to make that decision. I looked on it as it was the last act of kindness I could do. You've given your baby a long life and the tests have proven other than age everything was fine. My thoughts are with you!!

 

[dawn newby]

As tough as this might sound it could be his long life is coming to its natural end. It is heartbreaking to make that decision. I looked on it as it was the last act of kindness I could do. You've given your baby a long life and the tests have proven other than age everything was fine. My thoughts are with you!!

Thank

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, the vet has just sent me the results I have attached

 

[Sadie]

Thank

Hi, the vet has just sent me the results I have attached

I have emailed your post to a vet tech see if she can help w/ this -- shes very good at reading test results and X rays

 

[dawn newby]

I have emailed your post to a vet tech see if she can help w/ this -- shes very good at reading test results and X rays

Thank you so much. I will wait to hear from you x

 

[dawn newby]

As tough as this might sound it could be his long life is coming to its natural end. It is heartbreaking to make that decision. I looked on it as it was the last act of kindness I could do. You've given your baby a long life and the tests have proven other than age everything was fine. My thoughts are with you!!

Thank you for your reply and kind words x

 

[FinniansMom]

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

Hi there. I have a dragon that is nearly 7 years old, with new mobility issues. I personally wouldn’t euthanize a dragon just for mobility. (I rescue dragons, so I have taken in many that walk “colorfully”, some regained a normal gait, some did not,) As long as he is otherwise healthy, change his enclosure to suit his new needs, and carry on enjoying each other. Some things I did to accommodate my dragon are: lower the basking platform, if it’s more than 3” high (you may need to adjust the basking light to maintain the correct temps,) raise the food dishes 1-2 inches, (I used air dry clay to make a “base” for the dishes, and take him outside with you for walks in the sun. Good luck!

 

[dawn newby]

Hi there. I have a dragon that is nearly 7 years old, with new mobility issues. I personally wouldn’t euthanize a dragon just for mobility. (I rescue dragons, so I have taken in many that walk “colorfully”, some regained a normal gait, some did not,) As long as he is otherwise healthy, change his enclosure to suit his new needs, and carry on enjoying each other. Some things I did to accommodate my dragon are: lower the basking platform, if it’s more than 3” high (you may need to adjust the basking light to maintain the correct temps,) raise the food dishes 1-2 inches, (I used air dry clay to make a “base” for the dishes, and take him outside with you for walks in the sun. Good luck!

Thank you for your advise!