Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 2 yr old male frill is showing what I interpret as signs of infection on his frill. There is a small silky colored white spot with some dark coloration on the outside located on his frill directly behind the head. He's shed recently, and I believe it to be cause by stuck shed. I mist him daily, and have not manually removed any stuck shed. There are no signs of deteriorating health otherwise. He is still very active and alert, both basking and like usual eating anything that does not eat him (attacked my toes today.). The female that shares his cage looks fine, no similar symptoms. The Klingenberg book on frills and beardies seems to suggest that most skin issues are a result of low humidity and I'm wondering if I've provided too much. It also suggests neosporin for some skin issues, but I don't want to do something that moistens his skin if that's the cause of the apparent problem. I intend to take him to an exotics vet Friday. Is this anything that anyone here is familiar with? Is there anything else I should do other than consulting a vet? I'm hoping a shot of antibiotics might be the answer, but have never taken any of my reptiles to a DVM, as I realize that there are few good reptile vets out there. The cage is cleaned weekly, and they defecate in a large water pan, so there is never feces in the cage (I change the water daily). The basking spot temp is 120f, and ambient temp is 85f. Food items are never present at any other time than feeding, so it wasn't caused by leftover rogue crickets. I supplement with repcal and hertivite every feeding, 4 times a week. Substrate used is the esu jungle mix, a combo of peat, orchid bark, vermiculite, and soil. Thet are kept in a 90gal aquarium right now, and they have free roam of a room-sized enclosed porch in the summer. I also feed pinkies once a week. Thanks for any help or advice.

Mine got the same thing and I asked mizzy whit it was and he said it was from the light being to close. And that is what the vet said. If you move the light right away it should not get bad and it should get better.
if it gets bad that part of the frill will dry up and could fall off.

good luck
Jake

Thanks, Jock. I'm still going to be cautious and see a vet. The prospect of bacterial or fungal infections gives me the willies, not to mention a fear of spreading it to my other lizards. If it's nothing big, then a good checkup never hurt any lizard.

I have a few lizards with this situation. I havent yet brought an animal to the vet because of it. However, it is a great idea. Let us know if the "knowledgable" vet gives treatment. Baytril is a common used drug.... oral or injectable. I think if you look at the image in my gallery I think you cam see something similar on the edge of the frill. It was like this when I got it, I dont think it has hindered my animal at all.
Keep us posted on what happens.

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Mizzy: frilldragon.com

Went to the vet today, and my reactions are mixed. The discoloration is from, just as someone said, sitting too close to the heat lamp. I got some burn cream for it that I have to use twice daily. Most disturbing was the diagnosis of the beginnings of a mite infestation. There was some reddish coloration on the inside of the frill in small patches. She administered ivermectin orally, which I don't like so much. In my experience with it (although just once) it's a lot more effective topically and when utilized to eradicate the mites in the cage. I'm going to an agricultural supply store in hopes of getting some ivomec tomorrow. I'm pretty sure I can get it there (does anyone know where would be a good place to look?) I also have tossed about 75 dollars worth of cage furniture. The vet seemed to take isssue with my choice of substrate (cypress mulch), saying it needed to be changed every few days. She also said it was most likely the cause of the mites. Told me I needed to use newspaper or cage carpet. I didn't argue, but I've been lectured about cage carpet before, and I'm pretty sure it sucks. I've got some work to do.