Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys. I have a 3 year old bearded dragon named Irwin that has been happy and healthy for many years. Just today I noticed that a few of the scales on his left rear leg, and on the left side of his torso by all the spikes, are turning a yellowish color. When I rubbed the scale to try and figure out what it was, he flinched a little bit. Does anyone have any idea what this might be, and if its worth a vet checkup? I can take a picture if it will help you guys figure out what it is.

I'll give you guys some background information on his care and diet if it will help you. I keep Irwin in a 60 gallon tank with a basking spot of about 105 degrees and a reptisun 5.0 UV light. He eats salad everyday, and his salads consist of dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, endive, escarole, carrots, yellow squash, green beans, and peas. He gets gut-loaded crickets 2-3 times a week, as many as he can eat in a 5-10 minute session. He is extremely active, robust and alert, especially at this time of year! So I don't think that there are any husbandry issues here, although I could be wrong.

Thank you,
Andy

Oh by the way, the picture is an old one from last year - that shedding skin is NOT what I'm talking about. I think I will take a picture this weekend.

This definetly needs a vet checkup. there is a good possibility that this is yellow fungus, a very deadly fungus to bearded dragons. I believe it is treated with a cream, but im not sure. Schedule a vet visit, and definetly mention the yellow fungus idea. Many vets havnt heard of it, as it is relativly new. CheriS has lots of info on it, so hopefully she will respond
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David - KDRKreatures

1.3 Bearded dragons (Ralph, Artemis, Cheech, Anna Nicole)
2.2 Eastern Box Turtles (Snappy, Mercuria, Gizmo, Galapago)
1.0 Ball Python (Carson)
0.0.8 Red Eared Sliders
0.1 Timneh African Grey (Roxy)

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Here is a picture of his rear leg. I just noticed this today, although I have noticed a dead scale there before in the past few weeks. I just didn't think anything of it.

By the way, what are some possible causes of this disease (if it is a fungal infection)?

I will make a vet appointment in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I don't think I have time this week, I have finals to study for, and I'll be out of town the week after. I hope he'll be fine...

I noticed this several weeks ago but I thought it was skin preparing to shed. I took a closer look today and realized it might be something else.

i agreed with the other post - get to a vet asap. i'm not sure you want to wait two weeks on this one.
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Ross

1.0 Bearded Dragon (Fuego)
2.1 Roommates (require more cleaning up after than the dragon)

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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www.reptilerooms.com

Cheri,

Thanks so much for this information! You have been a great help!

So let me get this straight. Antibacterial medications can accelerate the growth of the fungus, if it IS yellow fungus. So the vet should first culture it, and if that doesn't determine what the source of the infection is, Irwin should first be treated as if it is a fungal infection. If that doesn't work, it should be treated as a bacterial infection.

I am very suspicious that it IS fungal after reading your article! Irwin was treated twice with a general parasite treatment last year. I'm looking for my record of the names of the medicines, but I can't find it. Tommorow I will call up the vet and ask him what the treatments were. I will also ask him for a reference for a good reptile vet in Santa Cruz, CA (I have moved since then).

Until I get a vet appointment, I am going to get some probiotics! They should help Irwin fight the infection, whether it is bad bacterial or fungal. And I am going to keep stress at a minimum so that his immune system is as strong as possible. I will also thoroughly disinfect his enclosure and my room. I am optimistic that he will fight this off with a little help. He has a monster appetite and energy level right now, and that's always a great sign!

Once again, thank you for this valuable information!!

Thats what our findings are with collecting data on 78 initial study dragons from owners and then at least that many more from their vets over the last year that have contacted us. We've tried to get as much data and fed back from them also

Good luck with him and let us know what you find out.
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www.reptilerooms.com

post or respond to medical issues on this forum due to all the static on here or advice it works for monitors so I use it on bearded dragons and its natural ...... pfft

Bearded dragons are VERY different, and many things have been found out about them the past few years that are not the norm for most lizard populations, such as being sensitive to some meds, to mold and yeast fungal infection and that some of those meds and dirt being advised by others are actually the cause of the increase in fungal infections we are seeing in the bearded dragon population. Some of those deadly to them.

SO IMO..... DO NOT put your dragon on soil, even if others are telling you its "natural for them". I guess they don't know about some of the issues that make natural deadly!!

I do find that strange since they have been raising them for 10 years they claim... the magic number it seems for anyone! ;p
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www.reptilerooms.com

CheriS wrote: "...it is getting so that many of us do not want to post or respond to medical issues on this forum due to all the static on here...."

I have been lurking and posting the occasional response (mostly "what a great looking dragon!" ) because the forum has gotten so antagonistic lately. It used to be a fun place to discuss issues (whether we agree or not), get advice (that you are free to take or leave), and share interesting stories about our beardies. But now you get attacked for saying anything. I have enough stress in my job working with at risk teenagers, that in my free time I do not want to be attacked or feel like I have to attack back (something I have resorted to in the past and am ashamed of.)

One of my favorite conversations on this board was with azteclizard and grimdog, where we discussed UVB and vitamin D3 toxicity. We did not completely agree, but I think we all learned something from each other's input and definately went away with food for thought. I never felt attacked or challenged and I have the upmost respect for both of them.

Sorry this is so long, but I really feel like I have lost something lately with the current "vibe" on the forum.
(BTW, this is NOT directed at anyone in particular. Just a general statement about the recent forum style.)
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Stacey

Stacey,
I agree ... I am not around and offering advice near as much as I used to be either
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Lisa
Cricket free babies!
www.beginnersbasics.com

Hey lady, Smile, show off your perrty lizards, teach, learn and enjoy !!!

I like your invisiable face, hehehhhe, I like your tomato froggies too ! LOL

Nice to see ya Stacey !
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Eve

Sure am!! Always good to see you too Eve! I notice the "PH" in front of your moniker. Are you a moderator now? Very cool! Couldn't have happened to a nicer gal!! Goblet is getting HUGE!!
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Stacey

Just enjoy yourself Stacey ! Ya know?

Yes, I am, have been in Exotics for awhile ! Stop by and say hello !

Now I'm here to BRIGHTEN YOUR DAYS and spread GOOD CHEER ! LOL

Have a good one my Friend !

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Eve

That was a good debate...I have been trying real hard lately to not get engaged in pettiness. I hope it shows to the others reading this forum. I still continue to offer my advice on hubandry and breeding when I feel I can add something. Good luck with you animals.
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Bill DiFabio
Garden State Herpetoculture...website to follow...
Email Me
"If you don't have enemies, you don't have character." - Paul Newman

I just want to say thanks, if ya look this far down again, to all of the more experienced beardie lovers who do post on this forum and give advise. thanks for putting up with lots of nasty stuff because there are those of us, many of whom are invisible too, that really learn alot about caring for our beardies! and i will say it here, thank you for anwering repeated questions over and over again just so that a person who is new or unexperienced can get help to give their beardie a better life! even if a new person is in here for some of the bad stuff that has happened, it is pretty easy to shift through the info and make your personal decision. i know that i have bought every beardie book i could get my hands on and spent more time on the web than i have in years, but there are still holes in all of the info that this forum helps fill in.
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Jamie
0.0.1 corn (Rio)