Bearded dragons are curious creatures that love to climb and explore. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to injuries like broken bones if they fall from heights. Dealing with a bearded dragon’s broken leg can be stressful, but with prompt veterinary care and proper at-home aftercare you can help your pet heal.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Immobilize the leg, provide pain medication as directed by your vet, keep the enclosure clean, assist with feeding, and schedule follow-up vet appointments for x-rays to check healing progress.
With time and care, bearded dragons can fully recover from broken leg bones.
In this approximately 3000 word guide, we will cover everything you need to know about bearded dragon broken legs. We’ll start by looking at the signs of a broken leg, then go over the veterinary treatment process.
We’ll provide tips on at-home care while your bearded dragon heals, discuss signs of healing progress, and talk about potential complications to watch out for.
Signs Your Bearded Dragon May Have a Broken Leg
Abnormal Positioning of the Leg
If your bearded dragon is resting or walking with one of its legs held at an unusual angle, this can indicate a break. Typically a broken leg will be held off the ground and appear limp or floppy rather than supporting the lizard’s weight.
The leg may also twist or bend at an odd angle compared to the other limbs. Carefully observing your pet’s movements can help identify any abnormalities that warrant closer inspection by an exotic veterinarian.
Swelling Around the Limb
In some cases a broken leg may result in noticeable inflammation or puffiness around the affected area as fluids rush to the injury site. Gently feeling along the leg and comparing it to the lizard’s other limbs can determine if any puffy or swollen sections are present.
Significant swelling around a misaligned leg strongly suggests a fracture has occurred. According to the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), swelling combined with an inability to place weight on the leg necessitates prompt veterinary assessment.
Visible Deformity
At times the fractured bone may puncture through the skin or leave the leg bent at an obviously unnatural angle. Both scenarios indicate urgent vet care is needed. Visible deformities make it easy to identify which leg is injured so you can better monitor that area while awaiting your appointment.
However, bearded dragons are adept at hiding pain so don’t rule out a break just because you can’t see any exterior damage.
Reluctance to Move
Typically an active and alert species, a bearded dragon with a broken leg will often turn lethargic and avoid moving around. It may spend extended periods laying down, only shifting position when necessary. Your pet may also resist climbing or exhibit hesitancy putting weight on the affected side.
According to reptile care site The Spruce Pets, reluctance to move warrants an immediate trip to the vet clinic as it suggests a painful injury like a fracture.
Loss of Appetite
As cold-blooded creatures, bearded dragons rely heavily on food to maintain energy levels and body heat. Healthy adults tend to readily accept daily feedings. So a loss of appetite lasting more than a day or two can imply an underlying issue like a break.
Ensure fresh greens and live prey are offered daily to properly monitor eating habits. Contact your herp vet if inappetence persists beyond 48 hours as nutrition is critical to healing bone fractures.
Getting Veterinary Care for a Broken Leg
Have the Vet Examine Your Bearded Dragon
If you suspect your bearded dragon has a broken leg, it’s crucial to get them examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. An experienced reptile vet will be able to confirm if there is a fracture and determine the best course of treatment.
They’ll perform a physical exam, checking for swelling, bruising, deformity, and pain when palpating the leg. X-rays are usually needed to officially diagnose a fracture.
X-Rays Will Confirm the Break
Veterinarians use X-rays to visualize the bearded dragon’s bones and identify any fractures. The X-rays will show the location and severity of the break, which is important for planning treatment. Some fractures may be simple cracks, while others are complete breaks that cause the bone to be misaligned.
Knowing the specifics will allow the vet to determine if surgery is required or if the leg can be stabilized with just a cast or splint.
Treatment Options
The main treatment options for a bearded dragon’s broken leg are:
- Cast or splint to immobilize and support the broken bone while it heals
- Surgery to reset the bone or insert pins if the fracture is severe
- Strict cage rest to limit movement and prevent further injury
The vet will recommend the best treatment method based on the location and nature of the fracture. In many cases, a properly fitted cast or splint is sufficient for the bone to mend. But if the fracture is complex, surgery gives the best chance for proper realignment and healing.
Pain Management
A broken bone is very painful, so managing your bearded dragon’s pain is essential. The vet will likely prescribe oral or injected pain medication like meloxicam. Proper dosing will help your pet stay comfortable during the healing process.
Some vets may recommend doing the initial pain injection at their office so they can monitor any side effects.
Follow the Vet’s At-Home Care Instructions
After the vet treats your bearded dragon’s broken leg, be sure to follow their instructions for at-home care while it heals. This will usually include:
- Giving all prescribed medications correctly
- Maintaining the splint or bandages
- Providing a suitable habitat for rest and limited mobility
- Monitoring appetite and energy levels
- Restricting activity to prevent re-injury
- Returning for follow-up vet exams
Proper at-home care after vet treatment is vital for your bearded dragon’s recovery. Follow the vet’s directions closely and don’t hesitate to call them if you have any concerns. With appropriate treatment and rest, most broken legs heal successfully in captive bearded dragons.
Caring for Your Bearded Dragon’s Broken Leg at Home
Keep the Broken Leg Immobilized
It is crucial to keep your bearded dragon’s broken leg completely immobilized so it can heal properly. This usually involves applying a special reptile splint or cast. Your veterinarian will show you how to keep the splint secure. Check it at least once a day to ensure it remains snug.
If the splint shifts even slightly, the delicate healing process can be disrupted. You’ll likely need to keep the leg immobilized for 6-8 weeks until the vet confirms it has fully mended.
Maintain a Clean Enclosure
While your bearded dragon recovers, it is vital to keep its tank spotless to prevent infection. Scoop out soiled substrate daily and fully disinfect the habitat once a week. Use a 5% bleach solution, rinsing thoroughly after.
Also replace plastic plants, branches and hides with clean extras weekly so no bacteria accumulate. Always wash hands before and after handling your pet as well.
Assist with Eating
The splint may hamper your bearded dragon’s mobility and ability to hunt live prey. You may need to hold insects near its mouth using reptile feeding tongs. Gently wiggle morsels to trigger its feeding instinct.
Hand feed veggie mixes too, monitoring closely that your pet eats enough throughout healing. If appetite declines persistently, beardeddragoncare101.com recommends calling your exotic vet promptly.
Monitor for Weight Loss
Weigh your bearded dragon weekly during convalescence. If weight drops substantially due to lack of exercise or appetite, the vet may recommend assist-feeding it high-calorie Recovery Formula or Critical Care.
Liquid diets delivered via syringe provide essential nutrition when lizards won’t eat on their own. Always get veterinary guidance before syringe-feeding, as improper technique can harm your pet.
Provide Enrichment
Since a splint impedes movement, your bearded dragon may feel frustrated. Spend extra time gently petting your lizard and monitoring its overall health. Float cork bark or textured river stones in its water dish so it has novel items to investigate up close during healing.
Spray a few edible plants like parsley or dandelion greens with water and place them within tongue range to provide sensory enrichment. Just don’t overload the tank with too many loose items that could jostle the injured leg.
Signs of Healing and Follow-Up Care
Appetite and Activity Improve
As your bearded dragon’s broken leg starts to heal, you should notice an improvement in appetite and activity levels. They will likely start eating more regularly again and become more active in their enclosure as pain and discomfort subside.
Increased appetite and activity are good signs the leg is healing properly. Just make sure your dragon is not overexerting itself before the bone has fully mended.
Swelling and Bruising Reduce
In the days and weeks after the injury, you can monitor swelling and bruising around the broken leg. As healing progresses, swelling should gradually subside and bruising fade. However, if you notice increased swelling or new bruising, this may indicate complications like infection or refracture.
Contact your exotic vet if swelling and bruising do not dissipate.
Schedule Follow-Up X-Rays
Your vet will likely want to take follow-up x-rays of the broken leg around 4-8 weeks after the initial injury. Repeat radiographs allow the vet to monitor callus formation and ensure the bone is aligning properly as it heals. Follow-up x-rays can catch any healing complications early.
If the leg does not appear to be healing correctly, your vet may recommend changes to treatment, management, or bandaging.
Check for Proper Bone Alignment
As you care for your bearded dragon at home, check that the injured leg maintains proper alignment without rotational deformities. The leg should not twist or bend abnormally. Subtle changes in rotation can indicate instability in the fracture site.
Contact your vet if you notice the injured bone rotating, angulating, or losing alignment. This may require splint adjustments or surgery.
Watch for Complications
While most simple fractures heal well with proper treatment, watch for any signs of potential complications like the following:
- Refracture or dislocated bones
- Misaligned bones or malunion
- Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Non-healing fracture (delayed union or nonunion)
- Necrotic tissue around fracture site
- Abscess formation
- Abnormal swelling, redness, heat, or discharge
- Loss of appetite or activity
- Difficulty moving or bearing weight on leg
Contact your exotic vet immediately if you have any concerns about fracture healing or other health problems. With prompt treatment, most minor complications can be successfully managed.
Potential Complications from a Broken Leg
Failure to Heal Properly
One of the biggest risks when a bearded dragon suffers a broken leg is that the bone may not heal properly. This can happen for several reasons. If the break is complex or comminuted (the bone shatters into multiple pieces), it can be very difficult for the pieces to fuse back together in perfect alignment.
Additionally, if the leg is not well-immobilized during healing, the bone fragments can shift out of place. Even small misalignments can cause long-term problems.
If the bone does not heal straight, it can lead to arthritis, decreased mobility, and chronic pain. The joint surfaces may not line up properly, causing inflammation and discomfort. The lizard may walk with an abnormal gait long-term.
In severe cases of malunion, the leg may be permanently dysfunctional.
Ongoing Decreased Appetite
Appetite loss is common immediately after an injury while the bearded dragon is in pain. However, if decreased appetite persists long-term, it can be a complication of a broken leg. There are a few reasons prolonged poor appetite may happen:
- Chronic pain affecting the desire to eat
- Difficulty hunting prey if mobility is impaired
- Side effects of medications
- Stress and depression
Lack of nutrition can delay healing and cause other health problems. Reptiles can rapidly develop metabolic bone disease if calcium intake is inadequate. It is important to encourage eating through methods like hand-feeding, providing soft foods, and using appetite stimulants if prescribed.
Infection
As with any broken bone, infection is a risk. Bacteria can gain entry through the fracture site or surgical implants like pins. Reptiles’ immune systems are not as robust as mammals, making them prone to infections.
Signs of a possible bone infection include swelling, redness, pus, a foul smell, and fever.
Osteomyelitis (bone infection) is very serious and requires aggressive antibiotic therapy. If uncontrolled, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and other organs. Surgery may be needed to remove infected bone tissue. Preventing infection through meticulous wound care and cleanliness is crucial.
Permanent Limb Damage
In the worst case scenario, complications from a broken leg could lead to permanent damage requiring amputation. This is rare but may happen if:
- The blood supply to the limb is severed, causing tissue death
- Infection reaches an advanced stage unresponsive to treatment
- Soft tissue damage is too extensive to save the limb
Amputation carries risks of its own, including blood loss and failure to thrive after surgery. However, it may be the only option if the leg is irreparably damaged. With proper care, bearded dragons can live full lives on three limbs.
Prosthetics are also an option, though challenging to fit properly on lizards.
With prompt veterinary treatment, most broken legs heal well. However, owners should watch closely for any signs of complications and follow recovery instructions diligently. Regular vet checkups are key to monitoring progress and catching any problems early.
With proper care and some luck, even very severe breaks often mend surprisingly well in bearded dragons and other hardy reptiles.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can recover well from broken leg bones if given proper veterinary treatment and supportive at-home care. Immobilize the broken leg, keep your pet’s enclosure clean, assist with feeding, and follow your vet’s directions closely.
With time, the bone should heal and your bearded dragon can get back to their normal active self. Monitor closely for any signs of potential complications and follow-up with your vet routinely during the healing process.
If you provide diligent care during recovery, your bearded dragon can bounce back from a broken leg.
