bearded dragon sprain?

Question
QUESTION: a few weeks ago our female bearded dragon was limping (front right arm).  it is possible that one of the kids not so gently pulled her from their clothing. she may have fallen in her cage, off her branch as well.  a week ago, she seemed to use it better and even 'waves' at our male.  yesterday we noticed that she is lying with it straight back against her body and the palm of her hand is swollen.  she has a uv bulb and gets sun light from the windows.  is a vet visit in our future?

ANSWER: Hello Courtney,

Is she housed alone?  She definitely did hurt herself somehow if her hand is swollen.  Try getting some serrapeptase from  www.serrapeptase.org  
It helps with swelling or inflammation from an injury & is dried silkworm enzyme.
Which UVB are you using, a flourescent tube or a compact or coil light?  What brand is it?
Are you using any calcium supplementation?  
How old is she?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: our female dragon is recently 'married', however, we do not generally house the male and female together.  they have their own habitats.  her light is a tube, not a coil. we do use a calcium suppliment, powdered, that we sprinkle on her food and crickets.  she is nearing 4 years old.

ANSWER: Hello Courtney,

Ok, good that you don't house them together so that they don't overbreed.  
What brand of the UVB flourescent tube light are you using, & how old is it?  If it is older than 5-6 months old, it needs to be replaced.  
Is it a Zoomed Reptisun brand or an ExoTerra Reptiglo brand?  Or, something else?
She needs calcium roughly 3 times per week.  However, if she is gravid, she needs it more often to ensure healthy eggs & that her levels stay optimal.  
How is her arm doing today?  I would definitely try the serrapeptase it helps alot.  If it does not improve within the next few weeks, you should get an x-ray on the arm just to make sure nothing is broken.  I don't think it is broken, but it could be torn ligaments or tendons possibly.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the light is about 5/6 mos. old.  i did take saphira to the vet.  not a very experienced reptile vet (none in our county) as we are very rural.  the vet took an x-ray and thinks, only thinks there may have been a brake in the elbow.  the course of treatment is:  immobilize the arm, keep heat all night (so I have purchased a red bulb, antibiotics once a day and prednisone once a day.  i have not been able to find the oral prednisone prescribed at either of the pharmacies visited.  i looked online at the serrapeptase and am having trouble getting off the home page of the .org site.  BTW, our male, 2 1/2 y/o and our female have attempted mating but he only gets as far as biting her neck area, holding on with his arms but doesn't seem to know how to get the bottom parts lined up right.  we actually are not trying to breed them any longer right now based on information about reducing light and temps for a few months before raising the temps and increasing light and diet changes in both before trying again in the spring.

Answer
Hello Courtney,
It is time to change your UVB light.  What brand is it?  Be sure to get the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb & NOT the Reptiglo 10.  
Wow she may have a break in the elbow?  That is too bad.  
What antibiotics is she on?  I am not sure that she really needs antibiotics for a broken bone.  What is the dosage?  Make sure she is on the proper dosage, & that she is on probiotics as well.  
You should be able to order the serrapeptase on that website.  Maybe they were having technical problems.  
So they have not been successful at breeding yet?  That happens with young males.  

I hope she is doing better today.
The Prednisone is pretty good for swelling & pain.

Tracie