An Odd Problem...

[Uffern]

I went into my herp room today and noticed one of my Juvinile dragons was on his back. I went to inspect, and he was still alive. I picked him up and his spine seemed to ahve caved in about 1/3 of the way up from his hips. His hind quarters are completely limp, and he doesn't seem to have and feeling in them. To me, this would suggest a broken spine. I can't, however, figure out how this would happen. If anyone has any ideas, or better yet, experience, please let me know.

[Jaylyn]

That is not good news!! :( :(

A broken spine or pinched nerve at the least. Or perhaps a mass or infection on the spine??

Perhaps a bad landing? Maybe he was hurt and thrashed?

I don't have any experience with it in dragons - I do in older bassett hounds - but I don't think nature would have developed a tendancy to spinal injury in beardies. Sorry - I'm not any help.

Hopefully, it is just a freak thing.

Jaylyn

[Wrath]

That sounds horrible! I'm sorry...glad he's still alive, are you taking him to the vet or anything?

[Uffern]

If he makes it through the night I will consult my vet. Still have no idea how it happened, or even what happened....

[eyespy]

Please do keep us informed. That poor baby!

[SilverTongue]

yes plz keep us informed :( I hope he is ok!

[shimbathesnake]

I do remember Reading either an article or post somewhere about the same sort of problem.

One school of thought is this..


If a beardie eats something too large for it this food can press on the nerve the runs down its back causing the rear end to become paralysed.

If I remember correctly they can recover from this.

Hope this helps

[Uffern]

The dragon died in the night. It did show signs of impaction, but the spine itself appeared to have been damaged, which may have caused the same symptoms. At times his hind quarters would seize and become rigid and straight, his upper body shaking slightly. He dragged himself around in the "hospital" tank and I found him in the water most of the rest of the night. If I pulled him out, he would crawl back in. I guess it took some pressure off. I haven't been able to talk to my oh-so available vet yet to see what he thinks the cause was.

[Jaylyn]

Sorry to hear, Uffern. :( Do let us know what you learn from the vet, though.

Jaylyn

[eyespy]

I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

[ReneeB]

oh no.. that's horrible.. I hope you find out what caused this...

[shimbathesnake]

sorry to hear this news

[SilverTongue]

Sorry to hear that Uffern :(