Bearded Dragon diagnosis Osteomyelitis

Question

Bearded dragon arm  

Tail   Hi Tracie,
I have a three yr old female bearded dragon.  This past year she has had back leg paralysis, an infection on her tail which caused a white area, and now a diagnosis of Osteomyelitis.  Her symptoms are in her front leg, swelling at the joint and the arm.  She also has a gray spot at the joint from the swelling.  She does not like to use the leg and appears to be in pain.  She keeps it pulled behind her instead of out front.  If I try to move it forward she resists.  
Her habitat is a 40 gallon terrarium, lighting 150 w heat, uvb 10.0 repti glo cfl, temps are daytime 95-110 F, and 80 F cool side 12 hrs daily, nighttime 65-70 F.
Her diet is superworms 3x per week dusted with calcium and fresh greens with diced veggies everyday also dusted with calcium.  Once a month she gets a horn worm as a treat.
We have had her on clindamycin and metacam daily for the last two weeks to help with the infection.  Our vet has done xrays and noticed that the bone in the elbow joint has been disintegrated.  We have scheduled an amputation as the only options were to PTS or amputating to prevent the infection from spreading. I would like your opinion to make sure we are doing the right thing for her, as she already has a lame back leg.
Thanks
Jen

Answer
Hello Jen,

I am so sorry for the delay.  
Did your vet do a blood test also to be sure it is not gout?
That is a frustrating situation.  Do you know if she is Adenovirus positive or have you tested her?

The Clindamycin should be pretty good.  I have known of another case just about like yours actually, that had a bone infection which started at a nail bed & traveled.  She had to have her dragon's arm fully amputated as the bone had been eaten up with infection.
What finally cleared up the infection was AZT or the Zithromycin worked great.  Did they do a culture test on any fluids aspirated from the infected areas?

I recommend changing out the compact/coil UVB light, they don't emit very good UVB for them.  I suggest either the Reptisun 10 tube or the Arcadia D3 12% tube bulb.  
What type of thermometer are you using to measure her temps with?  A digital probe or a temp gun?
The insects are fine, how many superworms does she get weekly?  Do you use any crickets or roaches also?
The metacam should help a lot with pain management.  Has her beard been darker in color indicating stress or pain?

As far as amputation, I agree with the procedure simply because the bone is disintegration of the bone & that wont grow back.  The infection can be stopped in that area once the infected tissue is removed.  
Do you have a way to post a video of her moving/walking for me, I can send my email so I can see.  

My email is:  Drache_613@hotmail.com  

Some other things you can do for her right now are to get some bee pollen to help with immune system boosting.  Are you using any probiotics also while she is on medication to help out her tummy?  

If you do have a blood test copy, I would love to take a look at it, also.

Thanks.  Let me know how she is doing.
Tracie