Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My adult male bearded has developed these raised yellowish spots under his belly scales and along his toes and legs. They are not irritated, not open wounds and look like honey crusted bumps under the scales themselves. His appetite is still good and behavior normal. He spends his days outside and comes indoors in the evening, as we live in Houston, TX, and he is protected from predators and overheating but not fire ants. He has shed over a few of the bumps and they come off easily like a normal shed but with the new skin having a creamy yellow (like pollen) material that wipes off. I've been spot treating the areas with chlorhexiderm solution and a bit of Lamisil and haven't noticed any change for better or worse, though it's only been for a week. He has a vet appt for testing but I was wondering if anyone else has seen this, as it's also affecting the other female he has contact with. Some of his nails seem irritated at the nailbed and he appears to have lost one, though he does a bit of climbing in a bush in his pen. He was treated three months ago for a an inner ear infection using Baytril, and I've read of a connection between antibiotic usage and fungal infections and have since put all three beardeds (one is seperated) on acidoph. supplements. Thanks for any comments.

I'd watch the spots, they could be mites, or a paraistie infection. Just give him a bath daily, and clean his cage good, removing anything that could hold bacteria. how old is your beardie? if they become sore or really bother him you'll have to go to the vet for antibiotics. also what have you been feeding him lately???

do you let him sit on a heat rock?

No, they are outside in the daytime and inside in plastic bins at night. I do use T-Rex and Cobra heatmats in the cooler months, but never directly.

All the symptoms and signs you describe are indicative of Yellow Fungus. The fact that you treated with antibiotics a few months earlier makes it more likely that it is yellow fungus. You might try posting here groups.yahoo.com/group/Pogona_Diseases/
or
www.reptilerooms.com/forumview-3.html

Good luck,
-Randy
-----
www.AlphaDragonZ.com

____

yeah, it unfortunately sounds kinda like YFD to me as well. Especially the antibiotics part.

Where on the body did you first notice the "fungus"?

I would get to a vet asap, if it is YFD the prognosis is guarded and will only improve if you get treatment started right away. Starting on a good probiotic is good as well. With YFD you will want to be topically treating, and treating the insides. A good herp vet should know what to do.

there is a good article on YFD on reptilerooms.com by cheriS
-----
0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1.2 Leopard Gecko's (normal:normal:tang:baldy hypo tang)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

Thanks. Once I get them cultured, I'll post the results. I went almost four years without any health problems until this summer, so I'm hoping I've caught it in time.

Yup, Yellow Fungus is my guess as well.
-----
Dl