Is my bearded dragon crippled? [[pics]]?

Question

I have a male bearded dragon whos about... 1 year old and 1 foot long. He eats healthy [[veggies, fruits, and dusted crickets]] and i have him in a 45gallon tank. The tempature is okay and everything is right in his tank but for some reason one of his front legs is curved in. It's been like this for awhile and as much as i want to i cant take him to a vet [[im 15 and my parents wont take me]] so... any help is appriciated =]

http://s346.photobucket.com/albums/p436/xXxPopeSweetJesusxXx/?action=view&current=MiGU3LAGAiN.jpg

http://s346.photobucket.com/albums/p436/xXxPopeSweetJesusxXx/?action=view&current=MiGU3L.jpg

Answer 1

To be honest that leg looks as though its been broken in the past and its healed in that position because its not been treated.Its not Metabolic bone disease as he is too young for it to effect him to that degree.I presume he has a full spectrum UV light in his Viv as you dont mention it.If not then even though you are providing calcium dusted crickets without the full spectrum uv, his bones will be very soft and susceptible to future breakages.

Answer 2

It doesn't look like MBD to me because you seem like a very responsible beardie owner and you seem to know what you're talking about. I agree with the previous post about it being broken at one point and having been healed in that position. If he seems to be bothered by it take him to the vet and they may be able to break it and reset it in the right place again (mind you...doing that will be EXTREMELY stressfull to the beardie, so I don't recomend it, but it is possible to do). If it doesn't bother him, let him be. My beardie has a curved toe. I mean, it makes a complete circle backwards. He was born with it though so it don't bother him. See, gimpy beardies are more common than you think! =P

Answer 3

Definitely not normal.  It looks like a fractured leg which may have healed abnormally most likely from MBD, which leads to bone loss and fractures.  OK, are you dusting the crickets and other insects with a calcium/D3 powder?  Do you keep his basking temp at 100F?  Do you have fluorescent UVB bulb made for reptiles??  UVB exposure prevents MBD (metabolic bone disease).  These lights need to be made specifically for reptiles, within 12 inches of him, and changed every 6 months as they lose potency.   See these sites for more info:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/ktosney/file/BD...

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.co...

Answer 4

it looks to me that he has a case of MBD, Metabolic Bone Disease. Give him some supplements and UVB or he will be paralyzed later in life.