the only way to know for sure is to biopsy and culture the area, and you need to know for sure as if treated as bacterial, and it is YFD, the meds are going to accelerate the grown and that can be very dangerous. A bacterial infection will usually culture and can be read easily.



If vets are unable to determine which (many labs can not identify the fungal ones or the culture does not grow), there are several things you can do. There is a researcher that is the top in the field that was working with us and local vets in culturing and identifing which it is, and advising treatment once that is known.



If that is not available to you, whether due to cost or the researcher is not available, we suggest ....... and again this is a suggestion due to the data and test we have done and collected....It be treated first as a possible base fungus infection, those topical meds(lamisil) and debriefing/cleaning routines(nolvasan) will not harm the dragon...... but treated as a bacterial infection will, if it is fungal.



You and the vet will visually see results within a few days if it is responding to the fungal treatment routine we have established and in many cases, this will rid the problem. If it is reacting, but not clearing, then we suggest you have the biospy done and work with the researcher, as it could be one type of a mold based fungus that seems to be plaguing bearded dragons that is coming from soil and it will be deadly if left untreated. That treatment involves some harsh oral antifungal meds and that needs to be monitored and supported closely.



Is no change is seen within a week, then consult with your vet about treatment as bacterial. There is a product that does seem to be having good effects and no side effects on both minor bacterial and fungal problems called Zylafen and you can also talk to you vet about this. This is NOT effective in treating the mold based fungus, but does treat both the yeast based ones and bacterial ones.



You might want to read this article about Yellow Fungus Disease and print it out for your vet, of course this is our group study and I am sure there are others on here that will find fault with it. As far as I know, it is the only information available online about YFD at this time and is being used by some researchers and vets with success. Some of this information has been presented at ARAV conference last fall by Dr Pare, will be presented at I.C.E. by Dr Dan Johnson this year, and also published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Further studies are in the process with grant funding request.
Yellow Fungus: Possible Cause & Effects


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