Is this "Yellow Fungus" ?

[nikkiperry2580]

After bathing Koche this evening I noticed a few yellow scales. I have noticed that his appetite has deminished and he's been a bit more sleepy than normal. He is 6 mths old and 16 inches long. Can this be treated over the counter or do I have to take him to the Doc? I've posted this on Dealing with infectious diseases as well. I'm trying to make sure I get some advice!

It seems to be down the middle of his belly. Sorry for the poor lighting in the photo. I hope you can see what I'm seeing.

I need some advice.
Thank You,
Nikki

 

[Beardednoob]

What is the dragons humidity levels? What are the temperatures, basking and cool side? What are you using as a substrate? Do you bathe your dragon?

 

[nikkiperry2580]

Yes I bathe both of them daily, trying to potty train them. I use repti carpet for substrate. Not sure of the humidity, just changed to larger tank and need to get a new gauge. The temps are 80 in cool area and 98-100 in basking spots. I have just moved him and Sabella into a 120 gal tank. Lots of room to roam.The tank is so large that they have 2 basking spots even though they normally bask together in one spot.I also have 2 uvb bulbs as well, repti glo 10, or repti sun 10. I can't remember which one it is. I bought one and was told to get the other because it was better and since then I've forgotten which one it is. I'm thinkin a repti sun. They both were raised together and love being together. I split them up in the beginning and they were miserable. Back to bathing, I use baby shampoo to wash maybe once a week, just let them soak the other days for 20 minutes. I at first thought that it was food stain because he likes to lay in his food plate while he eats. Just changed over to phoenix worms this week. Both beardies just began to refuse the crickets. They eat about 50 worms or less a day with greens, broccoli, green pepper, carrots, banana, grapes, apples not all together. I give them a variety to keep them happy. Hope this helps to get some advice. I've included a pic to show their home.
Thanks,
Nikki

 

[MissingBello]

Hi Nikki, My name is Robert and I read your post regarding the yellowing on your dragon's skin. I noticed that there were no replys so I thought I'd do so now.
First thing you need to do is separate the two. If it is yellow fungus, it's highly contageous. You can see that it's orginating from the vent so there's something going on the inside.
Get him to a reptile vet asap.

We had a young dragon, Orion, who had the same condition. He came down with yellow fungus and even though vets don't know a lot about it or how to treat it, here is what we think happened and what we did to combat it.
We got Orion from Petco, during transit to Petco, he was bit by another larger dragon and lost part of his upper left jaw. Petco immediately got him to a vet where he was treated with heavy anti-biotics. Along with killing the infected bacteria, it killed the good bacteria as well. His tummy was unable to control the yeast level. So when he pooped, the infection spread to his skin starting around the vent and spread to his hind legs and eventually over his whole body. We got him for $40.00 and took him in. We noticed the yellow fungus about 2 months after we got him.

Our vet is an expert in reptiles, she often works with the San Diego Zoo in caring for their reptiles. But she said that little in known about yellow fungus. The paragraph above is what I believe what happened.
Dr. Kolmstetter started treatment by putting Orion on Itraconisol and we had to give Orion daily bath treaments with Betadine scrubbings with a soft toothbrush and rub downs with silvadine cream.
The Itraconisol was not the way to go. The drug affects the kindneys & liver. Dr. K was hesitant in perscribing it but didn't know what else to do.
Orion's face never healed. We had him for eight months and it never got better. He had two surgerys on his face to remove cysts and lesions. So he was fighting that and then the yellow fungus which spread to his un-healed face, so now he was fighting that and then the Itraconisol on top of all of it. He fought as long as he could but one day had given up. He lost his will and we had to put him to sleep.

Nikki, It's not easy to tell you this but if it is yellow fungus, you and your beardie are in for a battle. It's not going to be easy. It takes devotion and persistance to beat it. I'm not saying it can't be done but it's definately trying. Get him to a good herp vet. Good Luck and please keep me posted as to his condition. Sincerely, Robert - Las Vegas, NV.

 

[nikkiperry2580]

Thanks so much for responding Robert!
I've posted this topic under the infectious diseases and got more advice. I took Koche to the vet this past Tuesday. He was treated for parasites and the vet advised that he hadn't much experience with the yellow fungus, but to start with the betadine wash and lamasil treatments 2 a day for a few weeks. I'd already separated the two beardies on Monday. I've put paper towels down for substrate (use to be reptile carpet) and only a few rocks to raise him to his basking lamp (halogen 100) and uvb (reptisun 10.0). He' getting cleaned as well as the tank on a daily basis. I'm not seeing any evidence of the fungus on Sabella yet, but am watching her very closely.
I am aware of how lethal this can be, and I am so sorry for your loss. I am hoping we can beat this!
My only concern is he's not eating crickets, and the vet said he may have an upset stomach for several days due to the panacur for parasites. It stays in the system for 14 days. I'm thinking he's just upset with the change and the signs of brumnation are present as well.
Thanks you so much for the reply and I will def. keep you posted on Koche and his progress!
Nikki