Aquastar09
Member
My 15 year old bearded dragon, Drake, is starting to shed. I noticed about 2 days ago that he has what looks like a bruise or a burn above his eye on the skin that is getting ready to shed. The closer I looked he also has a few very small discolored patches like this (you have to really look close to see them) on his back, tail, and around his snout.
Recently he went to the vet over URI and has been taking antibiotic shots for over a month. My mom built him a custom wooden cage to better hold in heat because we believe his cage was getting too cold at night. We also got him a heat emitter. It is holding in heat MUCH better and Drake has improved a lot! However, the holes for the lights (10.0 uvb tube and powersun basking bulb) do not have screen over them. I have always had the smaller uvb bulb slightly in his tank without a screen before and it didn't occur to me that the tube would be different from the smaller ones. I did some research and it says that the screen helps filter out harmful rays that can "sunburn" your reptile. I was wondering if anyone could tell me for sure if that's what this is or if it could be something more dangerous? Should I set up a vet appointment?
I have been treating it with aloe vera and I got a screen for the light to sit on. For the moment I also went down to a 5.0 uvb. I still have the 10.0 so it can be changed back if need be. He is about 7 and a half inches away from his 100 watt backing bulb. He can't climb any more so I can't give him a hide tunnel but he has a blanket hanging from the top of the cage to put one corner in shadows. Temps are between 95 and 100 on the hot side and 75 to 82 on the cool.
He dosen't act like it bothers him and he is alert, active, and bright eyed. I am very worried and I would appreciate any help! Thank you! Pictures below!
This is before it was set up. Its double sided so we can get a baby beardie in a few months. Drakes side has a lift in it so he is closer to the top because of his elderly and medical needs.
Recently he went to the vet over URI and has been taking antibiotic shots for over a month. My mom built him a custom wooden cage to better hold in heat because we believe his cage was getting too cold at night. We also got him a heat emitter. It is holding in heat MUCH better and Drake has improved a lot! However, the holes for the lights (10.0 uvb tube and powersun basking bulb) do not have screen over them. I have always had the smaller uvb bulb slightly in his tank without a screen before and it didn't occur to me that the tube would be different from the smaller ones. I did some research and it says that the screen helps filter out harmful rays that can "sunburn" your reptile. I was wondering if anyone could tell me for sure if that's what this is or if it could be something more dangerous? Should I set up a vet appointment?
I have been treating it with aloe vera and I got a screen for the light to sit on. For the moment I also went down to a 5.0 uvb. I still have the 10.0 so it can be changed back if need be. He is about 7 and a half inches away from his 100 watt backing bulb. He can't climb any more so I can't give him a hide tunnel but he has a blanket hanging from the top of the cage to put one corner in shadows. Temps are between 95 and 100 on the hot side and 75 to 82 on the cool.
He dosen't act like it bothers him and he is alert, active, and bright eyed. I am very worried and I would appreciate any help! Thank you! Pictures below!
This is before it was set up. Its double sided so we can get a baby beardie in a few months. Drakes side has a lift in it so he is closer to the top because of his elderly and medical needs.