Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got this girl back from a negligent home. She is very thin and I'm not sure what other problems she may have. The bottom of her beard has a smooth, leathery white patch of skin. When I had her a couple years ago this was not there. I am not very experienced with beardies so I dont know if this is normal? However I've never seen this on another dragon. Any ideas? Should I be worried?

BTW I'm new, hello!

The picture is too blurry to even give much of a guess. Retained shed maybe? Try one farther away. If you just got her back a vet visit would be a good idea anyway.

I agree, any reptile who has been undergoing improper care for awhile should get a vet inspection. This way any 'hidden' issues can be addressed, such as parasites, low blood calcium (ie MBD) infections (respiratory or otherwise) etc.

The patch on the throat isn't too clear...retained shed is likely, but it also looks like all the scales are missing...If your camera has a built in or attachable macro lens, take another picture with that active, it allows for much better and more in focused close up shots. Otherwise, most point and shoot type cameras won't focus on any object closer than 3 feet (each camera also varies on their minimum focal point, check the camera manual). Macro lenses allow for a much closer focal point...mine has one that is within an inch or two...very nice for close ups of reptiles. You may need additional light however.

Another useful trick is place your dragon in a glass or clear buttom container...take the pciture of the underside of the dragon through the bottom of the container, but aim at an angle...so avoid flash reflections 'whiting' out the dragon.Or use a diffuser to remove the harshness of the flash (simple diffuser, tape or otherwise stick a single layer of tissue paper over the flash (Kleenix in a pinch) Take a few practice shots, maybe with a book in the clear bottom container...to minimize stress on your dragon.
-----
PHLdyPayne

I wont be able to take her to the vet until next month, but I do plan to as soon as I have the money. It was an on the spot decision.. She looked horribly thin and I could not leave her there. Here is another picture.. Sorry, If I had just one more hand this would be easier

Strange. I don't know what that is. But, I took a dragon in May '09 that has the same looking skin in a constricting ring on his tail. I took him to the vet who thought it was an old injury. Within the last month other areas have started appearing on his tail when the good looking scales/skin sheds off. I'm mystified. I originally thought it was some type of subcutaneous parasite. We cut it at the vet and couldn't find anything though. I'd be great if someone could figure out the cause and treatment. I'm on the edge of a decision to have my dragons tail cut off to solve the problem. Unfortunately that's not going to be an option for you though.

Is the skin in that area smooth or rough? It looks like all the scales are gone. I wonder if its scar tissue...from a bad burn maybe? A vet trip may be the best option. The spot could be caused by something like mange which I think is parasitical or bacterial infection, though what your dragon has could even be fungal...a scrapping from the area should be done for analysis to see what it is.

Besides the strange patch on the throat, what I can see of the rest of the dragon looks stressed, maybe even dirty. A good soak to hydrate and clean your dragon would be a good idea, then make sure its new setup is idea to give it the best care till you can get him to a vet. I would use just plain papertowel for now, just to make the cage easier to clean and keep sterile, just in case the area on the throat is something that was caused by unclean conditions in its previous home. A bath may even loosen that skin if it is unshed skin.
-----
PHLdyPayne

I gave her a bath the day I brought her home, and again yesterday. She looked dehydrated but is looking a lot better from the first day. She is stressed.. Right now she is in a 40gal tubby, not an aquarium.. But I am getting an aquarium asap. Like I said my decision to take her home was on the spot because she looked so bad. I wish I was more prepared. The bottom is sand right now.. You reccomend replacing it with paper towels?
Its isnt unshed skin.. She is missing scales there its a smooth leathery patch. I just spoke with them and asked about a heat rock.. They did have one and I know those things are death traps. I'm now thinking it could be a burn from the rock. Nevertheless I'm going to take her to the vet first thing next month just in case.

it looks like at one time that dragons was fat and happy. More than likely it had a big double chin, now she's gone down hill and it's just saggy looking. Get her back on track but it looks turky-ish real soon---
-----
www.BadAppleReptiles.com

She was fat an happy when she was in my hands. It was a mistake to let them care for her. They lost interest after a while and werent feeding her or caring for her correctly. I'm doing my best to bring her back up to health.