Bearded Dragon (Tony) - Potential Seizure

Question
QUESTION: We have a four year old male.  A couple of weeks ago he woke up at 2:30 am really active.  Since then, he has not been sleeping through the night and acts restless.  He has been standing vertical at the walls and scratching, appearing as though he lost his vision.  He has not been eating well so I blended up some fresh mango the other day, which he ate.  Today, I bought some butternut squash (baby food), which he seemed to enjoy.  He seemed to be doing well and then all of a sudden he started chasing his tail, flared his beard, and then began shaking all over his body.  We believe it was a seizure, but we are not positive.  We took him to the urgent care, but the vet was not knowledgeable with bearded dragons.  At this time, our only option is to wait it out until Monday morning.  At this time he is sleeping.  Any advice you may be able to provide us would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Hello Kerri,

What type of UVB light are you using, is it a flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light & how close is it to him?  
What type of basking light are you using?  
I do need the brand of UVB light you are using.  It sounds like to me that he is suffering from Metabolic bone disease.  This happens when they are not receiving adequate exposure to UVB lighting.   Their body cannot synthesize D3 & cannot absorb calcium properly which over time, weakens their bones.  Calcium is responsible for heart & brain function, neurological transmitter conduction & muscular movements.  He most likely is having seizures which means he is in a progressed stage.
Are you giving him calcium?  How often?  At his age, 3 times a week would be good.
Please let me know the UVB, ok?  That needs to be addressed immediately.  

Tracie

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

QUESTION: We are using a flourescent tube UVB light bulb (bought from pet store) and a 100w Repti Basking Spot Lamp.  After getting this information we believe with the home we have, he is not getting adequate vitamins.

My husband took him back to the vet because he is suffering.

ANSWER: Hello Kerri,

He is not getting good UVB.  Please tell me the brand of UVB light.  Alot of them from the petstores are not always good.  If your flourescent tube bulb is not a Reptisun 10 or a Reptiglo 8 or an Arcadia D3 flourescent tube then he is not getting good UVB.  
All of the symptoms point to metabolic bone disease.  Please check your UVB light & get back with me.
Thanks.

Tracie

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

QUESTION: Hi Tracie,

We actually have a Reptisun 5.  My husband went to PetCo first thing Sunday morning and purchased a Reptisun 10.

We took Tony to the Vet first thing Monday morning.  The doctor hospitalized him and gave him a 20 - 30% chance of survival.  He has been hospitalized ever since.  The doctor took an X-ray and said his bones look good.  However, his blood work indicated that he has a blood deficiency and the doctor said it appears he has smaller lungs than normal.  The doctor increased his chance of survival to 50% and said to give him a couple of days.

We are hoping and praying we will be able to bring our little guy home.  We should know tomorrow.

We also have a female so we have been able to get the UVB lighting right for her.  Thanks so much for your quick response when we were so desperate for help and the helpful information you provided us.  Kerri

Answer
Hello Kerri,

Great you bought a Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb.  I hope that will help him out alot.  Did the vet give liquid calcium too for him?  
I am happy that his bones looked good though that helps.  Did he have a respiratory infection since he had decreased lung capacity?  Make sure though that the vet doesn't dump tons of antibiotics down him because sometimes they overmedicate & that can cause more harm than good on them.  
So he did determine a calcium deficiency on the bloodwork then?  
Let me know how Tony is doing!  I am glad you got that taken care of & for your female, also.

Tracie