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Thread: tegu with bad leg

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    oregon
    Posts
    295

    Exclamation tegu with bad leg

    please i need some help some advise. i just noticed that my male tegus left front leg is alittle swollen and he isnt using it very well. at times he does put weight on it but the other times he isnt.. it wasnt like this yesterday. all his basking and heat and humity is great he is eating good nothing has changed. could he have spranged it some how.. i did just recently changed his bedding from apsen to cypress mulch and it is alittle harder to dig in.. please sorry for the spelling.. i need some advise fast on to what could have caused this.. like i said he was using it just fine yesterday.. and what can i do to help him :sad::sad:
    http://www.facebook.com/tegugurl
    http://http://tegusfromaroundtheworld.weebly.com/
    0.1.0 Red Tegu "Freyja"
    0.1.0 Argentine Black Nose Tegu "Mylnor"
    2.0.0 Chacoan Giant Tegu "Midgard & Murphy
    1.0.0 Chihuahua "Odie"

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,210

    Default

    I'm sorry I can't tell you exactly what's going on, but I am pretty sure it isn't the change in mulch. From your description I'd guess your tegu broke it's little leg. Maybe it was jumping and couldn't judge distance, or it got tangled up in something while exploring? Are you able to take him to a veterinarian with herpetological training?

    I'm sure you've read on this forum about metabolic bone disease (MBD). When a tegu lacks sufficient dietary calcium or is unable to absorb calcium due to lack of UVB light rays and lack of supplemental vitamin D3, their bodies start to pull calcium from the bone for various physiological needs. This weakens the bones and makes them more prone to breakage. A vet could diagnose this and provide a liquid calcium supplement if called for.

    In the mean time, if it were my tegu I would not handle it and I would check the cage for any climbing hazards -- it's hard to think like a tegu... Please let us know how he progresses and if you take him to the vet what the vet says.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    369

    Default

    I hope he is okay, can you post an update? I am always worried about Dezie hurting his leg, they are so heavy bodied and just kinda thump onto the ground when climbing off of things.
    Vanessa
    Ontario, Canada
    1.0.0 Argentine Black and White Tegu (Dezie)
    0.1.0 Argenitne Red Tegu (rehome)
    1.0.1 Fat-Tailed Gecko (Holly and Chugington)
    1.0.0 Brittish Bulldog (Bently)
    1.0.0 Cockerpug (Ryder) Perfect name as he "rides" everything!
    0.2.0 Children (Cadence 5, Jordan 2)
    Large Saltwater tank that contains Dory, Nemo, Marlin, Foxface, 4 Gobeys, firefish, a couple shrimps, and a grumpy Brittle Star that eats fish while they sleep!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    oregon
    Posts
    295

    Exclamation

    Well alittle update. he puts some presure on his foot then he wont, then he does, then he wont. I looked and touche to feel the bones in his leg there is no out of place bones.. no breaks in the leg or foot that i cant feel or see. im thinking when he was diggin in his cypress mulch it was harder for him to do, other then the aspen we used. I have decided to go back with the aspen for him. He wont burrow in the cypress for some reason. I will go ahead and keep a good eye on him today lots of warms baths if it gets worse by this afternoon tonight I WILL take him to the Vet somehow.. Otherwords no much change he is using it at period of time but then he stops for alittle bit. Anyone esle ever expreience this?????

    P.S Sorry for the spelling:oops:
    http://www.facebook.com/tegugurl
    http://http://tegusfromaroundtheworld.weebly.com/
    0.1.0 Red Tegu "Freyja"
    0.1.0 Argentine Black Nose Tegu "Mylnor"
    2.0.0 Chacoan Giant Tegu "Midgard & Murphy
    1.0.0 Chihuahua "Odie"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    oregon
    Posts
    295

    Default

    i just found out his vet is out till friday! grr and there are no other vets in town that see herps! so i will watch over him very closey.. i wont handle him. i got out all things that he might climb on or get it stanged on.. so he hasnt woken up yet he is still asleep i will let him rest.
    http://www.facebook.com/tegugurl
    http://http://tegusfromaroundtheworld.weebly.com/
    0.1.0 Red Tegu "Freyja"
    0.1.0 Argentine Black Nose Tegu "Mylnor"
    2.0.0 Chacoan Giant Tegu "Midgard & Murphy
    1.0.0 Chihuahua "Odie"

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Central FL
    Posts
    4,349

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    The reason why a vet visit is so important is because they are the ones to differentiate all the possible reasons for the sore leg. It could be a fracture that isn't displaced, a soft tissue injury, or fibrous changes that are the beginnings of MBD. Xrays and bloodwork may be needed to see inside the tegu's body.
    Laura R (FL)
    1.0.0 Colombian Tegu
    1.4.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
    1.2.0 Red Tegu
    1.2.0 B/WxRed Tegu
    1.0.0 Green Ameiva (yet another teiid)
    7 other lizards
    1 little gator
    3 FL box turtle
    1 Sulcata tortoise
    16 snakes
    5 fuzzy pets
    4 little frogs
    a bunch of creepy bugs
    and a partridge in a pear tree

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    oregon
    Posts
    295

    Default

    yes i agree, He will be seeing a vet. I want to be responiable i have made an appointment for friday. That is the soonest he can be seen..Docs are gone till friday and no other vets see herps in town
    http://www.facebook.com/tegugurl
    http://http://tegusfromaroundtheworld.weebly.com/
    0.1.0 Red Tegu "Freyja"
    0.1.0 Argentine Black Nose Tegu "Mylnor"
    2.0.0 Chacoan Giant Tegu "Midgard & Murphy
    1.0.0 Chihuahua "Odie"

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,210

    Default

    I'm sorry your tegu got this problem right in time for the holiday. Probably the best thing for him will be if he can get plenty of sleep, staying warm and undisturbed. Offer him is regular light/UVB schedule, but I would not pull him out for feeding or anything until the vet visit. Best wishes for him, and thank you for being so concerned to help him.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    oregon
    Posts
    295

    Default

    Well midgar still isnt using his leg, but he is still eating! which is a good sign. I added another uvb/uva light inhis tank for now. I have an appt for friday morning to take him to the vet.. Im so worried! But i know that he will pull throu. i take very good care of my tegus! And this breaks my heart to see him like this! :sad:
    http://www.facebook.com/tegugurl
    http://http://tegusfromaroundtheworld.weebly.com/
    0.1.0 Red Tegu "Freyja"
    0.1.0 Argentine Black Nose Tegu "Mylnor"
    2.0.0 Chacoan Giant Tegu "Midgard & Murphy
    1.0.0 Chihuahua "Odie"

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,210

    Default

    I'm sure he'll pull through. You are giving him lots of care and attention and that is the best you can do. Hopefully he just twisted it in a tight spot and it will heal in time. I know a visit to the vet will end up with a big bill :-( . Deep inside, your Tegu will know and appreciate that you are helping him.

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