My bearded dragons hands are bent sideways?

Question

Haro, My bearded drago   QUESTION: Hello, I have had Haro, a German Giant bearded dragon for about three years now. We bought him from a bearded dragon breeder, because we wanted one with special colors. Mine, is a yellow/orange color with some black spots. For the last year or so, His front hands have been bent sideways, and face in towards his body, instead of walking with his hands flat on the ground he walks with his wrists. This has concerned me for a while, we took him to a vet, who didn't seem to have the expertise that I was looking for, I didn't get much reassuring information. If at all possible, can you explain to me what this might be, and how to reverse it if possible? I took a picture of him to show his condition.

ANSWER: Hello Matthew,

Haro does have great colors!
Are you using a UVB light & if so, what type & brand are you using?  A fluorescent tube bulb or a compact/coil light?
How often do you give calcium to him?
Did the vet do a blood test on him to determine his calcium levels or no?  What about an x-ray?

Can he climb & or support himself on all fours very well?  It sounds like he has developed metabolic bone disease.  By looking at the picture his lower jaw looks as if it is beginning to jut out a little bit to develop an underbite.  

What type of foods does he eat?

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie

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QUESTION: Yes, I am using UVA, and UVB bulbs, The UVB is a fluorescent tube bulb that we purchased on sale at Pet CO. around the same time we bought Haro from the breeder, the brand is Aqua Ace BIOPLANT, we were told it would provide the UVB a bearded dragon would need, and since it was on sale, it seemed to be the best buy. The UVA bulb I have for him is zoo med brand, I have had to replace the UVA bulbs many times, but the UVB bulb has lasted since we bought it. About calcium, I have a container called ReptoCal, its a powder that has Calcium and Vitamin D3, I used to put this on his crickets before I took him to the vet. The vet had told my mom and I that giving him calcium powder was practically like feeding him rocks, and it was useless, so I have not been giving him very much calcium since then. The vet didn't do a blood test or an x-ray. He just mentioned MBD witch I have done research on, but I still do not know much about it. The vet told me that a variety of foods is good for him, he mentioned proper lighting, witch I have had, he also said that crickets are like cabbage, its almost takes more rescources to digest them than what he gets out. Is this true? The vet noticed some jaw distortion as well, but he does not seem to be getting worse, but this still concerns me. I started feeding Haro super worms after the trip to the vet, witch have now become his favorite food, but I still occasionally feed him crickets, and once in a while I try to get him to eat some veggies or fruit, but I always research before I give him something new. He walks kind of funny, but he seems to get around just fine, when I bring him outside in the sun, he normally basks, poops, and then runs around and basks some more, and then I'll take him inside when his colors get super bright, from what I learned, his colors go dark when hes cold, to absorb heat, and when he is very hot, his colors turn very, very bright and pretty, an indication that he is not wanting to absorb any more heat or sunlight. I have read that after certain periods of time UVB lights may still turn on but they lose their ability to give the UVB. Is this true? and if so how long would they last before needing to be replaced? And about metabolic bone disease, can this be stopped, reversed, or slowed? If so, what should I do? Thanks.

ANSWER: Hello Matthew,

I am so sorry but that particular light is only providing UVA & does not provide the essential UVB spectrum.  I believe it is just an aquarium/plant type of light.  Unfortunately, the lowest cost light is usually not the best.  Yes, they do lose effectiveness so I recommend changing out your new UVB lights that I recommend, every 5-6 months.
You will need to change that light out to either the Zoomed Reptisun 10 tube or the Arcadia D3 12% tube bulb for him as soon as you can.
That can be true to a sense, regarding the calcium.  However, it is all relevant depending on how much you use & whether or not he is absorbing it.  You can use a calcium powder, along with proper UVB lighting & it is effective.  If you use too much it can cause issues, but he does need calcium 3 or so times a week as an adult.  
I would recommend switching to a liquid calcium right now to help him out since he has developed metabolic bone disease.  Since his jaw is slightly misaligned, his bones have deviated which is a calcium issue.
He sounds very pretty & a wonderful dragon.  
Is he eating worms & crickets regularly then along with some greens?  
The vet did not do an x-ray or blood test?  That would have helped, so you could have seen what his calcium levels were like or his bone density was.  Based on your description, I would say he has metabolic bone disease that needs to be treated immediately.
What type of basking light do you use, is it a bright white light & what type of thermometer do you use to measure his temperatures?
When he gets darker, that just means he is thermoregulating & retaining his heat.
If you need help with finding liquid calcium, let me know.  I sell some on my online site, or you may be able to find some at the pet store.  

Let me know how he is doing.
Tracie

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Bundle   QUESTION: Thanks Tracie, I gave my mom the list and she got the whole bundle, I got home to see Haro basking under his new light, he really seems to enjoy it, she got some liquid calcium and some calcium stuff to put into his water as well, the light that she got was a Zoomed Reptisun 10.0 UVB bulb, the most intense UVB bulb, or the best, (According to the store keeper) with a Fluker's sundome, but just in case, I attached a picture to make sure I got the right stuff. And yes, unfortunately the Vet did not take an x-ray, like I said in the past, he did not seem to have the knowledge to give me peace in mind that I was doing everything I could to help him. My mom said that when she talked to the store keeper, he said that he has seen this before, and it may also have something to do with genetics, as well as Metabolic bone disease, and as long as we take care of him with the proper stuff, he shouldn't get any worse, but out of curiosity, is it possible for his hands and jaw to retake their original form? And I have a Flukers thermometer in his cage, but I have never specifically taken his temperature. I never was told to do so.

Answer
Hello Matthew,

Is that Reptisun 10 a compaclt/coil bulb?  If so, you will need to take that back & get the long tube bulb instead, of the Reptisun 10.  The compact/coil lights have been causing PKC or photo-kerato conjunctivitis due to the improper UVB wavelength.  It will damage the eyes & their health.
The liquid calcium is fine.  I would use the Zillas.  If you let me know his weight, I will dose it for you.  I am not sure of the strength of the Flukers unless it is on the label.  He will need the calcium 5 times per week right now.
The thermometer should be fine as long as it is a digital probe or temp gun?
This can be caused by genetics, but mostly from lack of proper UVB or calcium intake.  
We will get him all set up.
As far as his jaw & hands reverting back, if he is full grown, the bones have already set & wont go back.  He may gain enough strength though to turn his hands back over but his jaw may wont go back to normal.
As long as he can eat & chew, then he should be fine & live a normal life.

I hope he is doing well.  Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie