Bearded dragons swollen arms and legs

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I bought a bearded dragon about 2 months ago. I am new to this and I am very concerned about Sandy(the dragon). I noticed Sandy had swollen ankles about 3 weeks after I got him. I then noticed him scooting around on his stomach. I took him to the vet right away and they took blood and sent it in to be tested. He has no parasites so I am going to take him back to the vet to be re-evaluated. At this point all of of his legs are swollen and he does not climb on his rocks and I have not seen him go to his water dish. He eats crickets fine but does not eat too many veggies. I have been spraying him and the crickets with the antibiotics that the vet gave me for him. I just want to know if you have ever seen a case like this and if you have, what was it and the outcome. Thank you, Kim

ANSWER:   Please give me information about his lighting, especially his UVB source and have the vet check for MBD and/or gout.

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QUESTION: I just checked his lights. His uvb light says ESU Reptile Super UV Daylight F15-T8-BP/120v/15w.  The basking light is Heat glo 120v/75w/60hz. It is about 100 degrees in his basking spot right now and about 75 or 76 degrees on the opposite side of his tank. I noticed, after reading your reply, that his uv light said on the top to take off the clear plastic cover for uva and uvb. I was not aware I was supposed to remove that plastic cover. I removed it today. Do you think this will make a difference?

ANSWER:   Okay, yes, that cover blocked any UVB from getting to the beardie. It sounds like the swelling may be the beginnings of MBD, however, he really should go to the vet for a blood panel and x-ray to see what deficiancies he's got plus bone density.  ESU lighting products are really not great.  You should definitely change the bulb to a Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube.  Much better UVB output, and if you can make it so there is nothing between the basking beardie and the UVB but 6-8" of air, all the better.

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QUESTION: WOW! You are fast at answering the questions. Is it possible that he will make it through this and be okay? I spoke with the vet and I will be taking him back this week. Thank you so much and I wish I would have found this website sooner. I am going to fill the survey out right away. Thanks again.

Answer
 It will depend on how long he's been without.  And how great your reptile vet is.  If it's still over 70 and sunny by you, I would suggest getting a leash or even a soft cord to tie just above the back legs and getting him out for some good natural sun.  Be diligent with any supplements and treatments the vet gives you.  And for a while I would consider it prudent to have a more frequent followups with the vet to see how fast he is progressing and whether other changes are needed.  I suggest joinning Pogona at Yahoo Groups,  There we can assist you in going over your entire set-up.  We have many experienced dragon owners on board, including a wonder reptile vet from Michigan.