Is this an infection?

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

This Bearded Dragon is a year and seven months old. I was cleaning the tank today and noticed that the scale on the front of his bottom jaw was turned brown. Is this a color change or is it possible that this is something else? He pooped today (which is why I was cleaning in the first place) and drug it all over the tank and himself. It came off of him everywhere else so I don't think it's that.Is there anyone who can identify this and if it is something wrong, is there a way to treat it?

 

[CooperDragon]

Are you talking about a spot right on his chin? Can you post some straight on shots in bright light? I can't really tell what the issue is in these photos.

 

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

Sorry, here's a better picture:

 

[CooperDragon]

That looks like a sore of some kind. Has he been rubbing his nose on anything in the tank or bumping up against the glass?

 

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

That looks like a sore of some kind. Has he been rubbing his nose on anything in the tank or bumping up against the glass?

He hasn't been doing that recently that I have seen, however his food was spread out and his plants were knocked over today when I got home so he may have been. My background is foam and grout with mod-podge over it, with the area in his hide having sand so to help wear his claws down. Whatever it is, it isn't affecting his eating. He had a few crickets after I cleaned the tank.

EDIT: now that I look a little more closely, there does seem to be a bit of fraying on the scales that are damaged, perhaps from a collision?

 

[CooperDragon]

It sounds like it may be an abrasion then which shouldn't be a huge deal. Try to give him some extra time running around outside the tank if possible so he can burn off some extra energy. You might try some unpasteurized honey on the area to help it heal and to protect it as well. Just be sure not to leave any bugs in the tank with him because they'll be drawn to the honey.

 

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

It sounds like it may be an abrasion then which shouldn't be a huge deal. Try to give him some extra time running around outside the tank if possible so he can burn off some extra energy. You might try some unpasteurized honey on the area to help it heal and to protect it as well. Just be sure not to leave any bugs in the tank with him because they'll be drawn to the honey.

Thank you. I thought it was mouth rot or something at first but then I thought that would only appear gradually. I'll apply honey and remove loose crickets. Thanks again for the assistance.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I hope his chin gets better soon! It does look like he has rubbed it raw, which is fairly common with them. It sounds like he is pretty active so definitely try to let him run around out of his tank if you can. LOL
The honey should help out too.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie