Problems with vhegar

[Richmyhan83]

So I have a juvenile beardie I've had since April. He's been growing and eating live food well, but won't touch any greens I him. I've tried fresh veggies and fruits of all kinds (after doing research to make sure he's eating stuff that is good for him), and the only fresh food he'll eat is cantaloupe. He won't touch any prepared foods either. Earlier last month, he started developing thick scales near the base of his tail. No discoloration, just really thick scales. They got thicker each time he she'd, and then I noticed a small sore last week. I put him in a quarantine cage, and put raw honey over it, which softened it up to reveal that it was a scab. Again, no discoloration, just scab and now an open sore when it came off today. I'm keeping it covered in raw honey, to keep it from getting infected, and it doesn't seem to be spreading since I started doing this, but I am worried. Any idea what this is, and what could cause it?? Also, and ideas on how to get him to eat greens?? I'm fairly new to forums in general, and am brand new to this one, so pointers on how to post a photo with it, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Rich, some dragons will go for greens like turnip, mustard, collard if you drop them right near them as they are feeding on the insects. Then just leave it in the tank....they will sometimes ignore veggies altogrther and then one day decide to eat them.

Here's how to post pics :
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ Then use the XIMG to upload them.

 

[Richmyhan83]

Thanks!! I'll add a couple images shortly. Also, appreciate the tips.

 

[kyleena29]

That looks really bad and is not normal. I would be getting him to a vet asap.

 

[AHBD]

Wow Rich, that is a serious wound. Any idea how it happened at all ? The raw honey is great for it , keep it up but you should book an appt. with an experienced reptile vet ASAP. If you need help with looking for a good vet, list your location here and someone can probably help you.

Are there any other wounds on him anywhere ?

 

[Richmyhan83]

No, idea how it happened. It just appeared one day. He is otherwise healthy. I do need recommendations on a good reptile vet. I live in Springfield, Mo, so there's lots of vets, just don't know which one to take him to. I actually got the honey idea from another post on here. I keep a little around for my own allergies, ironically.

 

[AHBD]

I'll see if I can find a list or one of the other posters here will have some names I believe.

 

[Richmyhan83]

I really appreciate it.

 

[AHBD]

So far I came across this one...
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj2scKz1MPWAhXF4iYKHan0A58QFginATAK&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffairgrovevet.com%2Fveterinary-services%2Fexotic-animals&usg=AFQjCNGadPi3Uxij6c0o_sZeVbhqzAmS_g

 

[CooperDragon]

That looks like it may need some specialized care. I'd call the vet that AHBD mentioned and see if they are experienced with treating dragons and feel comfortable with wound treatment in reptiles. Another option would be to go up to the veterinary teaching hospital in Columbia as they may have advanced equipment not available to a lot of local vets (I'm not sure if it's needed or not in this case) http://vhc.missouri.edu/small-animal-hospital/

There is a state by state list of herp vets here, but it's a fairly old list now http://www.herpvetconnection.com/missouri.shtml

In the meantime try to keep it as clean as you can to try and prevent infection until the wound can be looked at and treated.

 

[AHBD]

There's a slight chance that it's a fungal infection, some yellow fungus will scab + then come off but that looks like such a large area, not typical.

 

[CooperDragon]

Here is the other list I was looking for. Still a bit dated but slightly newer with some additional options to try http://www.anapsid.org/vets/missouri.html

 

[Richmyhan83]

I got him setup monday morning at animal care center here in town. They have a Dr with experience with reptiles. I'll let you know how it goes. Also, I didn't see any signs of yellow fungus infection. Still could be though.

 

[CooperDragon]

I hope it is not YF. It's still a pretty big wound though and Monday is far off. I would apply Manuka/Raw/Unpasteurized honey to it to help protect it from infection as AHBD mentioned. Plain Neosporin without pain reliever may help too if you can't find the honey. If the wound starts to look worse, if you see additional wounds, or if it starts to spread I'd call them back and see if you can bump the appointment as an emergency.

 

[Akire]

Those pictures make me feel weak. Ouch! Could it be from a burn? That's what it kinda looks like to me. It's quite unusual, whatever it is. What is your set-up like? I'm mostly interested in what kind of heat source you are using. It's great that you are taking him to the vet. Hopefully it's nothing serious!