Painted Agama Black Spots on Belly (Pic)

[MushuMan!!!!]

Hello everyone, my painted agama Mushu normally has a very bright and creamy colored belly. Recently he has developed these spots on his belly. I am not sure if they have gone away or not considering he can make his skin this color on a whim. I should add that he isn't often showing me his belly. But I am also worried about fungal infections. This painted agama is captive bred so he is usually quite healthy and has no parasites. But I recently picked up a wild caught painted who is currently in quarantine. Could this be some kind of fungal infection from the new WC? or is it just Mushu darkening himself to warm up? Also now there is a strange white stripe of scales on the right side of his belly, you'll probably see it in the picture. Should I be taking him to the vet asap? Information on painted agamas is often very hard to come by I am hoping someone here has some insight so I can either save Mushu or save myself 200 dollars.

link to picture of Mushu's belly:

https://imgur.com/a/WX4WBC9

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello everyone, my painted agama Mushu normally has a very bright and creamy colored belly. Recently he has developed these spots on his belly. I am not sure if they have gone away or not considering he can make his skin this color on a whim. I should add that he isn't often showing me his belly. But I am also worried about fungal infections. This painted agama is captive bred so he is usually quite healthy and has no parasites. But I recently picked up a wild caught painted who is currently in quarantine. Could this be some kind of fungal infection from the new WC? or is it just Mushu darkening himself to warm up? Also now there is a strange white stripe of scales on the right side of his belly, you'll probably see it in the picture. Should I be taking him to the vet asap? Information on painted agamas is often very hard to come by I am hoping someone here has some insight so I can either save Mushu or save myself 200 dollars.

link to picture of Mushu's belly:

https://imgur.com/a/WX4WBC9

We need a few to look at him
@AHBD
@Drache613
@CooperDragon

 

[AHBD]

Can you post pics of his enclosure ? It IS possible that he darkened his belly due to mood but that's usually not so spotty. Does he ever lay on his poo by accident ? Just wondering if it's a deep stain to rule that out if you haven't soaked + given him a little scrub with a toothbrush. If it doesn't come off you can try an antifungal cream like Lamisil for a bit as a last resort before a vet visit.

 

[MushuMan!!!!]

Can you post pics of his enclosure ? It IS possible that he darkened his belly due to mood but that's usually not so spotty. Does he ever lay on his poo by accident ? Just wondering if it's a deep stain to rule that out if you haven't soaked + given him a little scrub with a toothbrush. If it doesn't come off you can try an antifungal cream like Lamisil for a bit as a last resort before a vet visit.

Its been fairly consistent in those spots whenever I look but when I turn him over his other scales turn black and it looks similar, he is in a large 5x2x2 80gal with exoterra coconut fibers with 95F hot end 70F cool end and 3 hides. He has still been his very active self, not much behavior or routine change so far.

 

[AHBD]

I don't understand, do you mean that he turns black in other areas and then it goes away, like it comes + goes ?
BTW, a sand/soil mix would be better than coco fibers, fungus is more likely to grow in it.

 

[MushuMan!!!!]

I don't understand, do you mean that he turns black in other areas and then it goes away, like it comes + goes ?
BTW, a sand/soil mix would be better than coco fibers, fungus is more likely to grow in it.

I don't know if I agree with the substrate suggestion even if it may reduce fungus growth, I'd like to avoid impaction and pesticides preferably. Like bearded dragons Mushu can change color within about 30 seconds depending on mood or temperature. His belly can turn black, but these spots you see havent changed from what I've seen, but other scales can still turn either black or creamy around the areas that do not change (the spots seen in the pic)

 

[AHBD]

Yes I know, lots of lizards change color quickly + turn dark per their mood. Try washing the area + gently using a toothbrush. A sand/soil mix is very safe, keep in mind that all loose substrate , including the coco fiber, can cause impaction but our lizards aren't generally taking mouthfuls of it. It can be accidental with any loose substrate. The thing about coco fiber is that it grows bacteria more easily, I've used it in a terrarium before as well as incubating eggs.

Painted or clown agamas come from a dry, arid region with rocks + sandy soil.

 

[AHBD]

Another thought, could that be shed ? It looks like it might be.

 

[MushuMan!!!!]

Another thought, could that be shed ? It looks like it might be.

Nah its not shed, his shed turns scales dirt brown. You can see some at the very bottom of the pic on his tail.

 

[MushuMan!!!!]

Yes I know, lots of lizards change color quickly + turn dark per their mood. Try washing the area + gently using a toothbrush. A sand/soil mix is very safe, keep in mind that all loose substrate , including the coco fiber, can cause impaction but our lizards aren't generally taking mouthfuls of it. It can be accidental with any loose substrate. The thing about coco fiber is that it grows bacteria more easily, I've used it in a terrarium before as well as incubating eggs.

Painted or clown agamas come from a dry, arid region with rocks + sandy soil.

Fair enough, I've been under the impression that the eco earth substrate passes through lizards more efficiently with less residuals, is this a misconception?

 

[AHBD]

Either substrate can cause impaction but I've never had a dragon impacted from any substrate, never with the sand/soil mix.

 

[MushuMan!!!!]

Good to know, I'll try my best to switch over. Any more thoughts on the spots?

 

[AHBD]

I'm really not sure. If it IS fungal, the cream might help. It's difficult to put the cream [ Lamisil ] on if the lizard is on a loose substrate so if you want to try it you can use a non adhesive shelf liner as the flooring and maybe some wads of paper towels in one of his hides that he might prefer for sleeping.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It is very hard to tell whether or not it is fungal, but possible if there is excess moisture in
the substrate.
Does he tend to ingest any of the coco substrate or not? I agree with AHBD, go ahead
& try the silver cream, it might help ward off any fungal infections starting.

Let us kow how he is doing. He looks really pretty, we don't get to see Painted Agamas
here much.

Tracie

 

[MushuMan!!!!]

Hello,

It is very hard to tell whether or not it is fungal, but possible if there is excess moisture in
the substrate.
Does he tend to ingest any of the coco substrate or not? I agree with AHBD, go ahead
& try the silver cream, it might help ward off any fungal infections starting.

Let us kow how he is doing. He looks really pretty, we don't get to see Painted Agamas
here much.

Tracie

Thank you for your response, when he does get substrate in his mouth he usually spits it out.
I have a vet appointment for him scheduled tomorrow, he is still his very active self, still eating well. Things are looking good