Bearded dargon

Question
QUESTION: Hi, My beardie is about 11 months old, suddenly developed debilitating MBD due to lack of calcium in his diet. He had seen a team of vets, made 8 visits every 3 days so far. He was x-rayed (no fractures), given 2 types of antibiotics, calcium, electrolytes all through injections. He has had 8 shots of antibiotics so far during his vet visits supposedly for swelling and soreness caused by MBD. However, due to his struggling during injections he seems to have injured himself. In fact he does not eat or drink for 2 days after visits, looking highly stressed. So, I finally deceided that he is not going back for more injections. Also, I have my doubts about vets' expertise on bearded dragons. This morning, he ate calcium powder + vitamin powder laced crickets(canned crickets from Zoomed). I also hydrate him with probiotics + electrolyte + glucose solution, 4-5 ml per day. I am now waiting for calcium glubionate liquid from the USA as I cannot find any here in Hong Kong. My question is, after he has done a normal looking poop, I found a trace of what looks like a watered down blood on the tissue.(He lives on paper towel floor.) What do think this is? Is it a parasitic infestation which can be treated with Albon? His poop shows no trace of blood anywhere. My second question is, why was he given antibiotics, do they really help in MBD, even without a secondary infection caused by fractures? Please help. Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello Kelvin,

Wow all of the way from Hong Kong, huh?  Cool.
Well, I do have to commend you for questioning the manner in which your dragon has been treated.
No, antibiotics are not generally used for MBD treatment.  In fact, the blood that has been excreted is not good.  No, please do not treat him with more antibiotics.  Since his system is that debilitated with MBD, he is too weak to handle those meds.  He might not of even gotten the correct dosage.
Calcium glub is the best supplement you can get for him.
Also, I do recommend that you find another vet & get a bloodtest done on him to get his kidneys & liver checked for damage due to the antibiotics that were given.  It sounds like he has been way overmedicated & the blood could be from some kidney or liver damage, but, I am not positive.  
Yes, it could be from parasites, or, it could also be from him straining to go to the bathroom since he has MBD.  When they have low calcium, it makes it harder for them to pass stools.  The GI tract operates from smooth muscular contractions which are supported by calcium ions.  It makes it difficult with low calcium for the smooth muscles to work properly, therefore causing the straining.
Good that you are hydrating him so well, that will greatly help.  Are you giving greens & veggies too?  
Once you get the calcium glub, do not give any other types of calcium, ok?  You don't want to overdo it on the supplements, either.  That can have a twofold effect, oversupplementing him will dehydrate him which will undo what you are trying to accomplish.  
What type & brand of UVB are you using, & how old is it?  Is it a flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light?  
Please let me know how he is doing.


Tracie

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

QUESTION: Hi,
Thanks a million for such quick response. He has Zoomed's Powersun 160W UVB mercury bulb which is about 2 months old. Previously he has had UV bulbs but probably no UVB emmission. Definitely, this MBD is my fault for my ignorance and negligence. I have not done any vegies since his MBD, but I will make a puree of vegie mixtures for him. Can his liver or kidney damage be corrected with medication? I am truly scared of him breaking his fragile bones during any injections or examination. He has developed a phobia of being handled due to those painful calcium injections. He alomost seems paralyzed in pain after the injection. I couldn't put him through that again. So, you do not recommend Albon at this stage? I hope the bleeding was due to straining. Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Kelvin

ANSWER: Hello Kelvin,
I am very sorry that you had to learn that way, it really is not your fault though, but the manufacturers who provide cruddy bulbs.
The Zoomed Powersun is a pretty decent bulb.  I would replace it every 6-8 months though just to make sure it continues putting out.  
Can you get a Megaray or a T-rex Active UV heat over there?  They are much stronger mercury vapor bulbs than the Powersun is.  
I hope that the blood was from straining too.  
I agree, injections right now probably are stressing him too much & causing him too much pain.  So the calcium glub is the best way to go.
No please do not give anymore medications right now, his body has had enough.  I would be afraid to stress his organs anymore as well.
His liver can regenerate yes, but it will take time IF his liver is having any trouble.  As for the kidneys, the best thing you can do is to hydrate him & don't overdo it on the protein when he gets older.  
The slurry will really help him out alot.  Try to do .5ml per 50 grams, so if he weighs 100 grams, do 1ml, or slightly more if you feel he needs it.
Keep me posted.

Tracie

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

QUESTION: Hi,
I have heard about Megaray / T-Rex UV and will definitely import them from the USA as I already import all of his food and supplements from the USA. Powersun is the best in Hong Kong costing US$100. My biggest concern is how to feed him or hydrate him without too much stress. He is a stubborn character and refuses to open his mouth. I had to force open his mouth and insert a feeding tube(soft plastic tube used in aquarium) attached to a syringe - this arrangement may save his jaw from fracturing. Still, this method is quite stressful for both of us! Yesterday, for the first time, I could nudge open his lips with a syringe without holding him down, and slowly poured the liquid into his mouth. He did really well in taking the mixture that way. However, this afternoon, he is not in the mood. Perhaps his 2 cricket meal made him full. I really would like to know how others make beardie to take liquid diet, besides the usual dropping on his nose method. I will try injecting the liquid into a mealworm before feeding. How do experts 'force' feed dragons gently? Thank you.

Answer
Hello Kelvin,

Ok, great.  When it is time for a new light, definitely get either one of those mercury vapor lamps as they are very strong.
Good that he is kind of taking to the feeding pretty well.  He is stubborn probably because he doesn't feel all that great, but I think if he likes the food then he will be more apt to accept the feedings.  
What you can try is to drop food onto his nose & get some on your finger & try to get him to lick that off of your finger.  Once he gets a taste of it, he should like it then you can start getting him to lick the food from a plastic dropper so you don't have to pry his mouth open.


Tracie