My bearded dragon has a swollen, red toe. Is it MBD? What to do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Bearded dragon swollen toe(s), redish. I take feeders out after feeding time. I have no idea what happened. Have been giving him betadine baths for 2 weeks now and it hasnt gotten any better or worse. (He hasnt had nails (or short nails on the toes he does have) on this foot since I got him as a rescue).
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 12th, 2018
Check for any bits of retained shed that could be compromising blood flow to the digits. He should also be examined by your vet or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose MBD. Unfortunately, many rescues suffer from varying degrees of MBD due to poor care prior to rescue. Try a diluted chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution and keep him on paper towels (change daily) until he sees the vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on November 16th, 2018
It would be recommended to have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. This would be to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any other pre-existing conditions. If Rover does have a calcium deficiency or MBD, the vet will be able to begin treatment or treat it more effectively. If the deficiency is mild, you should be able to treat him at home with the proper care and diet. The toes may or may not return to normal. You can review dragon care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I rescued a bearded dragon on Craigslist and he was deprived of appropriate food, heat, and calcium and his left leg is really big (looks swollen) and he cannot walk on it. He has a bad limp and won't move much. He is about 2 years old and he is hous
It sounds like it could be due to MBD which is caused due to lack of calcium, unfortunately this condition might be permanent, the only treatment is calcium supplement and calcium injection but it will probably not repair the damage that is already done.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
So I took my beardie to the vet and she put him on 50mg of baytril orally for 14 days. The whole reason I brought him is because his toe was swollen and had a small cut on it as well as a little piece of his toe falling off in the bath. She said his
Continue to medicate Lenny as directed by your veterinarian. You can clean the affected area daily using diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. Consider a recheck if the toe is swollen after the course of antibiotics is finished.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My bearded dragon has had a swollen arm for about 2 days now. He drags it behind himself, and won't walk on it, but he can move it. He couldn't have fallen from too high, less than 10inches. His lighting was not set up right (thanks to my husband) fo
It could be a fracture complicated by MBD but an exam and xrays is what Reptar needs to get a definitive diagnosis. It shouldn't cost "thousands". With proper care and some environmental and diet changes, he can recover from MBD. Left untreated, he may suffer permanent damage or even loss of the limb. An experienced herp vet will have the knowledge and experience to give Reptar the best chance at a full recovery.
Follow the links to search for a local herp vet.
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/calif.shtml
http://www.anapsid.org/vets/findingvet.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Hi, I just got this bearded dragon and he looks skinny and his toes are a little weird. I know he was underfed and didnt get calcium. Will a proper diet fix him or do I need to bring him to a vet?
It would be recommended to have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. This would be to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any other pre-existing conditions. If Rover does have a calcium deficiency or MBD, the vet will be able to begin treatment or treat it more effectively. If the deficiency is mild, you should be able to treat him at home with the proper care and diet. The toes may or may not return to normal. You can review dragon care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Please help! My bearded dragon has accidentally ripped her nail off and it is barely hanging on, what should i do? Should i wait for the nail to fall off on its own? Do i apply Neosporin?
If she will allow, remove it. Use a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution to gently clean the area daily. A dab of triple antibiotic ointment may be applied. Monitor fornredness, swelling, discharge, bleeding, lethargy or loss of appetite. Remove any loose substrate until the toe heals. If she won't allow you to remove it, you will need to have her seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles for treatment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Hi. I Just got a water dragon from som people and it is in a bad shape. I think its to small for its age, also to skinny, im sure it has MBD but kan still move and swim so not that bad. Something is wrong with his tail also. It looks like he droped i
MBD can be treated, but Dobbie may never be "normal". Ideally, he should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If he has MBD, he likely has other issues related to poor husbandry and nutrition. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. He may need antibiotics to help with the wound on his face. There maybe nothing to be done with the tail other than partial amputation if it is causing discomfort. Your vet can determine this after an exam.
With the proper care and support, he can lead a close to normal life. You can review water dragon care at the link below.
Kudos to you for rescuing the little guy!
http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/dragoncr.htm
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Bearded dragon yellow leg + black patch of scales + swelling? Unsure if it's yellow fungus because it hasnt spread anywhere else & has been the same (im almost certain) since the last 2 weeks. My beardie is in a pvc and trys to dance on the plastic w
If it is Yellow Skin Disease, you may have caught it early. Your veterinarian should be able to confirm or rule it out after an exam. Treatment typically includes oral and topical medications. If you have other dragons or hero's, keep Lenny away from them and wash your hands thoroughly between handling. The toe tip may have been strangulated by a bit of retained skin from a recent shed. This is common and, if kept clean, typically heals on its own. Since you're going to see your veterinarian, have the toe examined as well.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My bearded dragon fell and his front right leg is swollen and looks red and we believe he has recently developed MBD should we take him to a vet and is there medicine we can get for MBD other than adjustments to his diet and UAVB lighting
MBD is possible but infections could be possible as well (causing arthritis). A check up would be ideal as the two differentials need to discriminated by a physical examination first before giving appropriate treatment. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My bearded dragon is behaving strangely. Her right forearm and hand look puffy. She's walking with what looks similar to a limp. She's been acting normal up until yesterday evening. Now she's not eating much and won't move much. She hasn't fallen. He
A big concern regarding the swelling and lameness would be metabolic bone disease (MBD). Ideally, Beans should be examined by your herp veterinarian to diagnose injury or illness. In the meantime, review the diet, vitamin/mineral supplementation and UVB lighting. Confirm the bulb is not obstructed by glass or plexiglass and replace if older than 6 months old. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize3 nutritional value. Use quality supplements such as Rep-Cal HerptiVite and Calcium w/Vit D3.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my bearded dragon has a swollen leg and it’s very stiff but I don’t know what to do the photos below are comparing the two front legs
The swollen leg may be due to injury, infection or nutritional deficiency. Ideally, Rainn should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. This may require x-rays and lab work. Review his diet and environment with your veterinarian. The basics required include a 10 gallon tank (at minimum), UVB lighting, a heat lamp focused on a basking spot, 2 hides (one on the coolside, one on the warm side and a shallow water bowl. The heat lamp should provide a temperature gradient across the enclosure. Substrate can be reptile carpet, slate, paper towels or wood chips. A balanced diet of appropriately sized prey (crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, Phoenix worms, etc) and fresh greens and vegetables should be offered daily. Vitamin supplements and calcium supplementation should also be provided. You can review dragon care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
