Pink Blotch on Belly

[Jennifer0148]

Hello. I am new to the forums and recently started a thread in Enclosures to get the correct setup for my beardie. I'm worried about him, however, because today I found this pink blotch on his belly near his vent. It wasn't there before for sure. I'd have noticed because I check him every day. Since I've never had one before, I'm always worried something will go wrong and I won't notice. He's on tan Repti carpet and has a log and three glazed ceramic plates for his food and water. This has never happened before and it's one perfectly round dot, so I don't think it's anything in his enclosure, but I'm not sure. Is this rot of some sort? Thanks.

 

[CooperDragon]

That doesn't look harmful to me. Perhaps a stain or an area that is about to shed.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

You should try washing it off. It might just come off.

 

[Jennifer0148]

I did try washing it and it didn't come off. He just finished a full body shed around March 18 or 19, too. Would he be getting ready for another already?

I read somewhere that their bellies can stain but I don't see where the stain could come from and why there would only be one dot. He has had the same items in there since I got him. If it is just a stain, will it come off with his next shed?

 

[CooperDragon]

The shed cycles can be quite frequent for a while and it's common for them to shed different areas at different times. The shape of the area and light hue makes me think it's just tinted due to an oncoming shed in that area. If that's the case, it should return to normal color after the shed completes.

 

[Jennifer0148]

Thanks. It's just new to me because last time he didn't have any stains before shedding. I also just found one scale on his right upper lip is coming off. That's not rot either, right? From what I understand, with rot the whole scale can look sunken in and shriveled/discolored, whereas this is literally the top layer coming off.

 

[CooperDragon]

That looks OK too. Just a single scale shed. My guys do that quite frequently.

 

[Jennifer0148]

Thanks. I'm still taking him to the vet for a checkup because he hasn't been seen in the month since I got him. I need peace of mind. I found an experienced herp vet who also works with a reptile rescue nearby. So he sounds like a good choice.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

You should double check by calling in to see if they do bearded dragons just in case, if you haven't already.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah if you have an experienced dragon vet nearby it's always good to have regular (annual-ish) checkups just so you have a baseline and establish a relationship. Both for peace of mind and to have a good record of development available in case anything comes up.