He is a bearded dragon, a rescue, I got him on 12-21-2024. He was underweight, dehydrated and malnourished. He has been active and eating fine until today. He hasn't eaten and he can not walk, he drags his hind legs behind him. I felt a hard protrusion on his left side like maybe his ribs and they moved. The protrusion is not on the right side.
I'm sorry to hear about your bearded dragon's condition. The symptoms you're describing, such as not eating, dragging hind legs, and the presence of a hard protrusion, are indeed concerning. These could point to a few potential issues, including impaction, metabolic bone disease, or even an injury.
Impaction can occur if your bearded dragon ingests substrate or other indigestible materials, leading to a blockage. This often results in lethargy and difficulty moving. Metabolic Bone Disease, on the other hand, is common in reptiles that don't receive adequate calcium or UVB lighting, leading to weakness and deformities. Additionally, the hard protrusion you mentioned might be related to an injury or an infection, both of which require immediate attention.
Given the severity of these symptoms, I strongly recommend that you take your bearded dragon to a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles as soon as possible. They will be able to perform a thorough examination and possibly use imaging techniques to determine the exact cause and provide the appropriate treatment.
In the meantime, make sure his habitat is warm and comfortable, and try to avoid handling him too much to prevent further stress or injury. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.
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