Lethargic, Parasites, Yellow Fungus?

[Madburchell]

Hello, I have a bearded dragon named Delta (a 3 year old female) that has recently been giving me some cause for concern. I love her dearly and have cherished my companionship with her but I am beginning to worry.
A couple days ago, I noticed that there is some very noticeable yellow and flaky scales on her shoulder and bicep. It’s also very dark, and sore. I went to the vet today to get it checked out, but first let me supply you with some background info. (I will also provide pics of the spot BEFORE the vet visit.)

-She has been in a 40 gallon tank for about a year and a half, with paper towel substrate (it allows me to monitor her stool to make sure it’s not discolored)

-She has a hammock (that she almost never leaves) that acts as her intense basking area. Temps are usually 95-100 there.

- I have a UVB rod bulb that stretches across the entirety of the tank that I only allow for 12 hours. The heat bulb (that does NOT give off any light) stays on all the time. It is dark but warm at night for her.

- Her diet consists of crickets, collard greens, apples, butternut squash, zucchini and occasional treats (like blueberries, hornworms, or crunchies). Greens vary, but it is usually either bok choy or collard greens.

- Just recently, I have actually noticed blood in her stool. (and it was not from food coloring since it began to occur frequently after this). Obviously this troubled me greatly. This was when I immediately scheduled a vet appt. at an exotic place.

So, when I went to the vet today, they told me that overall she looks healthy and her gums looked good. Then I told them that she has been dropping some weight and becoming lethargic.
When the doctor began to analyze her, I asked her if she thinks her shoulder contains Yellow Fungus— she says no, but it could be an early stage. The woman also told me that luckily there is a treatment for it and we caught it in an early stage.

I just nodded and then asked her if we could do a parasitic screening since her stool was bloody. She replied yes and sent me home with a vile to collect it and bring back later since Delta didn’t have to *go* anytime before the visit.

Afterwards, they gave me some calcium syrup that will substitute for vitamin D (even after I told them that I dust her salads). I am supposed to feed the syringe to her daily, with a dose of 0.7mL. I immediately gave her one when I got home.

Long story short, I am conflicted because we didn’t really touch base about the worrisome spot on her shoulder. Delta does have VERY vibrant colors, but I know for a fact that the sore spot is an issue. Any input is appreciated and I’m really sorry this was such a long thread!

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello, I have a bearded dragon named Delta (a 3 year old female) that has recently been giving me some cause for concern. I love her dearly and have cherished my companionship with her but I am beginning to worry.
A couple days ago, I noticed that there is some very noticeable yellow and flaky scales on her shoulder and bicep. It’s also very dark, and sore. I went to the vet today to get it checked out, but first let me supply you with some background info. (I will also provide pics of the spot BEFORE the vet visit.)

-She has been in a 40 gallon tank for about a year and a half, with paper towel substrate (it allows me to monitor her stool to make sure it’s not discolored)

-She has a hammock (that she almost never leaves) that acts as her intense basking area. Temps are usually 95-100 there.

- I have a UVB rod bulb that stretches across the entirety of the tank that I only allow for 12 hours. The heat bulb (that does NOT give off any light) stays on all the time. It is dark but warm at night for her.

- Her diet consists of crickets, collard greens, apples, butternut squash, zucchini and occasional treats (like blueberries, hornworms, or crunchies). Greens vary, but it is usually either bok choy or collard greens.

- Just recently, I have actually noticed blood in her stool. (and it was not from food coloring since it began to occur frequently after this). Obviously this troubled me greatly. This was when I immediately scheduled a vet appt. at an exotic place.

So, when I went to the vet today, they told me that overall she looks healthy and her gums looked good. Then I told them that she has been dropping some weight and becoming lethargic.
When the doctor began to analyze her, I asked her if she thinks her shoulder contains Yellow Fungus— she says no, but it could be an early stage. The woman also told me that luckily there is a treatment for it and we caught it in an early stage.

I just nodded and then asked her if we could do a parasitic screening since her stool was bloody. She replied yes and sent me home with a vile to collect it and bring back later since Delta didn’t have to *go* anytime before the visit.

Afterwards, they gave me some calcium syrup that will substitute for vitamin D (even after I told them that I dust her salads). I am supposed to feed the syringe to her daily, with a dose of 0.7mL. I immediately gave her one when I got home.

Long story short, I am conflicted because we didn’t really touch base about the worrisome spot on her shoulder. Delta does have VERY vibrant colors, but I know for a fact that the sore spot is an issue. Any input is appreciated and I’m really sorry this was such a long thread!

The black looks like a fungus the yellow on the neck looks like coloring --- the vet did not address the dark spots --- how old is the UVB? and what brand and bulb T 5 or a T 8 where in the tank is it? Your basking temps how are you getting them NO stickons and NO IR gun for a hammock you need a digital probe thermometer I am going to have two others on here look at the pics of the spots etc they are more experienced than I
@AHBD
@CooperDragon

 

[Madburchell]

The black looks like a fungus the yellow on the neck looks like coloring --- the vet did not address the dark spots --- how old is the UVB? and what brand and bulb T 5 or a T 8 where in the tank is it? Your basking temps how are you getting them NO stickons and NO IR gun for a hammock you need a digital probe thermometer I am going to have two others on here look at the pics of the spots etc they are more experienced than I
@AHBD
@CooperDragon

Thank you for the reply!
I believe it is a T5 bulb, maybe 6 months since I replaced it last. The brand is ReptiSun and it stretches across the entirety of the tank (like a rod). It stays on all day and is turned off at night.
I get my temps from a little button scanner (like a handheld device) but I also have a temp reader in there at all times that looks like a little clock. It also shows humidity levels.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you for the reply!
I believe it is a T5 bulb, maybe 6 months since I replaced it last. The brand is ReptiSun and it stretches across the entirety of the tank (like a rod). It stays on all day and is turned off at night.
I get my temps from a little button scanner (like a handheld device) but I also have a temp reader in there at all times that looks like a little clock. It also shows humidity levels.

The T 5 is a good one -- where is it at top of screen or inside the tank -- this really important

 

[Madburchell]

The T 5 is a good one -- where is it at top of screen or inside the tank -- this really important

On top of the screen — sorry I misunderstood your question.

The heat bulb is also on top of the screen. Both are NOT inside the tank.

 

[KarrieRee]

On top of the screen — sorry I misunderstood your question.

The heat bulb is also on top of the screen. Both are NOT inside the tank.

What kind of screen fine mesh like a screen door or a wide hole type -- this is very important for the effectiveness of the bulb ---

 

[Madburchell]

What kind of screen fine mesh like a screen door or a wide hole type -- this is very important for the effectiveness of the bulb ---

Fine mesh. The holes are extremely fine/small exactly like a screen door

 

[KarrieRee]

Fine mesh. The holes are extremely fine/small exactly like a screen door

Ok she's not getting enough uvb- the screen is blocking 30% of the rays - you need to move it in the tank- or take the screen off- I can post some stuff for you to hang it w/ tomorrow- the uvb needs to be directly above the basking decor piece 12-15 inches

 

[Madburchell]

Ok she's not getting enough uvb- the screen is blocking 30% of the rays - you need to move it in the tank- or take the screen off- I can post some stuff for you to hang it w/ tomorrow- the uvb needs to be directly above the basking decor piece 12-15 inches

Thank you so much for telling me! Got it

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That does look a bit like fungal issues. You can be proactive & start using an anti-fungal cream such as lamisil or monistat
to help with fungus right now.
That's great you already have the Reptisun 10 T5 tube, that is a great bulb. If you can get it mounted directly underneath of
the screen top to be sure it is not filtered out too much.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, can you get pics of Delta again from above to show her epaulets on both sides of her neck ? Epaulets are the " shoulder pads " that often turn dark naturally. It would be good to show both sides, the pic you posted shows just one side because her head is tilted.

Another thing, it sounded like you only have a CHE ceramic heater rather than a basking heat bulb. The CHE is O.K for night but you need a bright white [ not colored of any sort ] heat bulb for the day.

 

[Madburchell]

Hi there, can you get pics of Delta again from above to show her epaulets on both sides of her neck ? Epaulets are the " shoulder pads " that often turn dark naturally. It would be good to show both sides, the pic you posted shows just one side because her head is tilted.

Another thing, it sounded like you only have a CHE ceramic heater rather than a basking heat bulb. The CHE is O.K for night but you need a bright white [ not colored of any sort ] heat bulb for the day.

Gotcha. Here’s a picture of both.

Hi there, can you get pics of Delta again from above to show her epaulets on both sides of her neck ? Epaulets are the " shoulder pads " that often turn dark naturally. It would be good to show both sides, the pic you posted shows just one side because her head is tilted.

Another thing, it sounded like you only have a CHE ceramic heater rather than a basking heat bulb. The CHE is O.K for night but you need a bright white [ not colored of any sort ] heat bulb for the day.

Sure thing. Here’s her other side.

 

[AHBD]

Can you get her to keep her head straight so that both sides show at the same time ?

 

[Madburchell]

Yes, sorry for the late reply. This week has been chaotic. I just got a call back from the vet, she has a moderate case of pinworms. Going to get her prescription tomorrow morning (the earliest i could get). She has been regular in terms of stool and has been drinking water when I put her in baths, but not eating much. Sorry if these pictures don’t work, but it’s the best i could do. She doesn’t like being photogenic lol despite being beautiful!

Her colors are very vibrant and pretty today.. is that a good sign? Im just trying to look on the bright side here. Thanks

 

[AHBD]

Thanks for the pics and yes, Delta is a pretty girl . Have you gotten any antifungal cream that Drache mentioned ? That might help the dark areas which may be fungal. Delta's in pretty good shape though from the pics and from your description of her behavior.