I'm pretty new to blue tongues and my skink has been dragging his front right leg when he walks. It doesn't seem to be hurting him and I noticed it yesterday and it's still happening today. Could it be broken? I haven't dropped him or anything since I got him but I don't know. I'll take him to the vet this weekend if it continues tomorrow... Does anyone have any advice.
Also: when you move the leg it just sort of flips around while the other one is more stable like he doesn't have control or can't move the right leg but has control over the left one
Update: a friend of mine says he's been doing that since I got him.
Not using a leg ???
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In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts.
If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that.
This is also where you can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys!
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Sagebeasley
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Susann
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Re: Not using a leg ???
My advice would unfortunately be to have him looked at by a vet. I don't know if there's much a vet can do if it's broken, but I would, at the very least, ask about something for pain relief for him.
Breeder and keeper of Meraukes from 2010 to 2022.
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Scotts1au
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Re: Not using a leg ???
There can be a number of reasons for this.
Something that you may wish to discuss with a vet is the possibility of very low serum calcium levels (hypocalcaemia), leading to general weakness. Note that something like 70% of propulsion in blueys occurs from their front legs. It has been something reported on here previously especially in blueys coming out of brumation, particularly if it hasn't eaten or been active for a prolonged period. The issue may be associated with Metabolic Bone Disorder but I believe can occur in the absence of clinical MBD, either way the treatment (if it is that) would be the same - Calcium supplements (either oral, subcutaneous, or injection) in addition to Vit D3. Similar symptoms can occur in animals from general electrolyte deficiencies (note enough salts in the blood) but less likely.
Or he could have just injured it. Other issues could be gout, arthritis, or infection, muscle damage (eg. being bitten by another lizard) so you need to get the bluey to a vet.
Something that you may wish to discuss with a vet is the possibility of very low serum calcium levels (hypocalcaemia), leading to general weakness. Note that something like 70% of propulsion in blueys occurs from their front legs. It has been something reported on here previously especially in blueys coming out of brumation, particularly if it hasn't eaten or been active for a prolonged period. The issue may be associated with Metabolic Bone Disorder but I believe can occur in the absence of clinical MBD, either way the treatment (if it is that) would be the same - Calcium supplements (either oral, subcutaneous, or injection) in addition to Vit D3. Similar symptoms can occur in animals from general electrolyte deficiencies (note enough salts in the blood) but less likely.
Or he could have just injured it. Other issues could be gout, arthritis, or infection, muscle damage (eg. being bitten by another lizard) so you need to get the bluey to a vet.
If you wait, all that happens is that you get older. M. Andretti
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Sagebeasley
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Re: Not using a leg ???
Okie dokie thank you guys! I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow. His previous owners fed him baby food and didn't supplement calcium (and I got him from them maybe a month ago) so deficiency may be the case.
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Sagebeasley
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Re: Not using a leg ???
Just thought I would post a little update here. I took him to the vet and his leg is in fact broken. I'm not sure how it happened but it's splinted to his side and we'll go back to the vet in a month to have it looked at again.
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Susann
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Re: Not using a leg ???
I am so glad you went in to have it looked at!
Breeder and keeper of Meraukes from 2010 to 2022.
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