Bearded dragon fell, swollen leg. MBD? Does he need vet & medicine?

It could be a fracture complicated by MBD but an exam and xrays is what Reptar needs to get a definitive diagnosis. It shouldn't cost "thousands". With proper care and some environmental and diet changes, he can recover from MBD. Left untreated, he may suffer permanent damage or even loss of the limb. An experienced herp vet will have the knowledge and experience to give Reptar the best chance at a full recovery. Follow the links to search for a local herp vet. http://www.herpvetconnection.com/calif.shtml http://www.anapsid.org/vets/findingvet.html

The swollen leg may be due to injury, infection or nutritional deficiency. Ideally, Rainn should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. This may require x-rays and lab work. Review his diet and environment with your veterinarian. The basics required include a 10 gallon tank (at minimum), UVB lighting, a heat lamp focused on a basking spot, 2 hides (one on the coolside, one on the warm side and a shallow water bowl. The heat lamp should provide a temperature gradient across the enclosure. Substrate can be reptile carpet, slate, paper towels or wood chips. A balanced diet of appropriately sized prey (crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, Phoenix worms, etc) and fresh greens and vegetables should be offered daily. Vitamin supplements and calcium supplementation should also be provided. You can review dragon care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html

Hello, sorry to hear about Spice. It sounds like she may be having metabolic bine disease from some dietary deficiencies. Other causes may be due to rough flooring or substrate in its cage. Your veterinarian may have recommended some changes in her diet, however metabolic bone disease may carry a poor prognosis as it is challenging to correct this disease if it is too advanced. It will take quite some time also, to see improvement. Best of luck!

Check for any bits of retained shed that could be compromising blood flow to the digits. He should also be examined by your vet or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose MBD. Unfortunately, many rescues suffer from varying degrees of MBD due to poor care prior to rescue. Try a diluted chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution and keep him on paper towels (change daily) until he sees the vet.

If he is getting adequate UVB lighting, a balanced diet and proper vitamin/mineral supplementation, then it may not be MBD. It could be trauma or infection. Either way, he should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian to make the diagnosis. He may need treatment regardless of the underlying cause. Antibiotics may help infection, vitamin and mineral supplementation may help reverse MBD.

Thanks for reaching out about Mushu and including pictures. You should be concerned and a veterinary visit is recommended. The lump on the back appears to involve the spine. The rear legs appear swollen and front legs held awkwardly. First thoughts are around metabolic bone disease, which arises from calcium deficiency, whether lack in diet, lack of absorption or lack of ultraviolet radiation. A veterinary visit can help with diagnosis and prognosis, provide injections of calcium and vitamin D3, and oral calcium supplements. Good luck.

A big concern regarding the swelling and lameness would be metabolic bone disease (MBD). Ideally, Beans should be examined by your herp veterinarian to diagnose injury or illness. In the meantime, review the diet, vitamin/mineral supplementation and UVB lighting. Confirm the bulb is not obstructed by glass or plexiglass and replace if older than 6 months old. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize3 nutritional value. Use quality supplements such as Rep-Cal HerptiVite and Calcium w/Vit D3.