Bad shed or ringworm? Updated with new pic

[MountainMama]

Hey everyone! My beardie is about three. I have had him for a little over a year and he has never had health issues.

A few weeks ago I noticed a dark ring on his back, with a lighter spot inside. The light spot was just paler than his usual color, like right before a shed. Over the next week, it got weird looking, where the middle kind of sunk in. He looked dehydrated, even though he was getting a weekly soak as usual. He has been eating normally and was active.

Took him to the vet and they said either bad shed spot or ringworm. Told me to apply Lotramin once a day, and gently rub the spot when bathing.

I have been doing that for a week. He is still eating normally and still seems dehydrated...skin slowly goes back when gently pinched. I am attaching pics of the spot. The area is shedding now, but the middle still looks odd, like the scales are coming off. There is no yellow color, though.

He has always been extremely laid back, but now he has started showing his black beard when put in the bath. He still isn't aggressive or anything and enjoys being held, but definitely doesn't enjoy the bath anymore. He is also pooping about once a week, normal, although the white part is harder, like he's dehydrated. I do live in a dry climate, and I keep the tank the recommended humidity, and temperature.

Updated pic:

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Was the vet you took him to a vet that only treats exotics or a dog/cat vet that sees the occasional reptile?

 

[MountainMama]

Was the vet you took him to a vet that only treats exotics or a dog/cat vet that sees the occasional reptile?

The vet isn't specifically exotics, but they were recommended by the local reptile group. I did some research before taking him in. I couldn't find any vets specific to exotics or reptiles within 50 miles, unfortunately.

 

[CooperDragon]

The way the area is colored and how it's peeling makes me think it's a thicker than usual shed patch. If you can provide some pictures later without the Lotrimin it may be helpful as that's covering a lot of the area.

 

[MountainMama]

The way the area is colored and how it's peeling makes me think it's a thicker than usual shed patch. If you can provide some pictures later without the Lotrimin it may be helpful as that's covering a lot of the area.

I'll get a picture tomorrow, after the Lotramin has dried.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Well I have used a cat/dog vet that also treats reptiles who told me my dragon was a male because there was sperm in the fecal. Well that was wrong. Went to a vet that only treats exotics because of continuing problems and had an ultrasound done as part of the testing. The dragon is female and the first vet misread the fecal sample. Years earlier I had another dragon treated by a vet recommend by the reptile department of Riverbanks Zoo in SC. This vet didn't seem to think that runny smelly poos and a hard large lump on its jaw was a big deal. He just focused on the poo and that never really cleared up. I even went a couple of times with the same issues. I'll never know what the lump was or if I killed my dragon by listening to a vet the zoo staff recommended. The vet recommended by the zoo also treated dogs and cats and was not specialized in exotics. These were two different dragons treated by two different vets who saw exotics here and there. I was finally tipped off that the zoo recomended vet sucked when I brought a year old ferret with classic signs of adrenal gland disease and the vet just looked at her and said doubtful because of her age. Well it all hit me. This guy sucks and misdiagnosed my now dead dragon . I told him to hand over the ferret and walked out without paying. I then found a vet that treats only exotics and took the ferret there. He confirmed it was adrenal gland disease. I now make a 4.5 hour round trip to see the same exotic vet for my two dragons. Finding a qualified exotic vet that only treats exotics in my opinion and experience better serves you and the dragon. If your dragon is just having a funky shed everything will be fine, but if it is something fungal, or if you even suspect fungal, make the drive to a qualified vet before it gets out of hand.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

On a side note, the exotic vet offered to work with my local vet with fecals, etc. I told the doctor that I didn't want the vet to know how badly she misread the fecal sample and that I had got a second opinion since my dogs were still treated at the local vet's office and I thought it would be be awkward. The exotic vet replied basically it shouldn't be because "I don't treat my own dog myself. I go to a vet who does that."

 

[MountainMama]

On a side note, the exotic vet offered to work with my local vet with fecals, etc. I told the doctor that I didn't want the vet to know how badly she misread the fecal sample and that I had got a second opinion since my dogs were still treated at the local vet's office and I thought it would be be awkward. The exotic vet replied basically it shouldn't be because "I don't treat my own dog myself. I go to a vet who does that."

The vet seemed very knowledgeable, but I'm not a vet, so I don't know. I did a lot of research before taking him in, and the vet seemed legit. They work with the reptiles at the zoo, and they are always healthy (we go a lot). The zoo is well known for their excellent care of animals. There is a reptile/exotic vet about an hour and a half away, but they have terrible reviews. I'll have to see what else is available, I guess.

The vet mentioned ringworm, but said that skin retention was more likely, as it didn't have a lot of the signs of fungus. The Lotramin was just to see if it improved with it, in case there was the start of a fungal infection.

 

[MountainMama]

I can't seem to add any more pictures. The first time, I clicked on XIMG and added the photos. Now, it only gives me the option to use those photos, and I can't find where to upload pics in my control panel. Any advice? I took a new pic this morning.

 

[CooperDragon]

You can upload new photos to your account here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and then they should be available via the XIMG button.

 

[MountainMama]

You can upload new photos to your account here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and then they should be available via the XIMG button.

Thank you! Got it now.

 

[MountainMama]

So today, the skin around the white spot in the center has definitely shed, and looks normal underneath. The center is still really pale, like it has a really thick layer of skin, but it hasn't started shedding yet.

 

[CooperDragon]

Based on that new photo I agree with the vet. It may just be a thick/stubborn shed. Try putting some plain aloe on the area and see if that helps. Keep a close eye on the area and please report anything that looks like it may be problematic.

 

[MountainMama]

He's looking much better now! The skin all around the lighter spot has shed completely, and you can see the dark spots of his skin under the lighter spot now. The lighter spot is still stubbornly holding on, but it is starting look like right before it sheds now. He's still eating normally and active.

 

[CooperDragon]

That's good to hear! Hopefully the rest of the shed will come loose soon and he'll be as good a new =)