Sick beardie - not sure what the problem is

[Gab122]

Thanks Esther! They really have become like my children in some ways. I just wish I could fix her problem(s). Thanks for your kind words.

Gab

 

[Drache613]

Hello Gabrielle,

I am pretty much shocked that they haven't been able to pinpoint anything for her.
I have been thinking about this all week, too.
If it didn't grow fungus, then apparently it isn't fungus after 2 tests. I am not completely convinced that it wasn't a burn, initially. I did some reading & looked at more pictures. It does look very clean & not infected but it does appear to have a lot of skin/tissue loss.
One main thing that is happening is that I feel the scab is coming off way too early which isn't allowing the area to stay covered long enough for the skin to begin healing up.
I think what needs to be tried is keeping the scab on or letting it scab over again now that is one has come off but seal up the edges with a cream & have the vet seal it with a type of adhesive for skin to help the scab stay on long enough for the skin to heal up from underneath. Eventually it should begin to close inward & hopefully it will shed. I also think that a water proof bandage should be applied too to keep it from getting wet.
Wounds of this magnitude can take upwards of 4-6 months to heal up. You have done a phenomenal job not letting it get infected!
Let me know what you think. I can't see why the vets wouldn't be willing to give this a try.
How is she doing today?

I will also return your message, too.

Tracie

 

[Gab122]

Hi Tracie! Thx for brainstorming! I'm sure it gets jumbled with all the people you are helping! She did test positive for yellow fungus (final result) with first vet but the "burn" wasn't the area tested but she DID have yellow fungus on other areas... The second vet tested the "burn/wound" and it tested negative for fungus.

I'm thinking maybe the problem in letting scab stay on is the daily soaks... Previously water or diluted betadine or diluted chlorhexidine... Now just water to drink followed by (diluted) chlorhexidine. I'm going to skip baths and have her drink from dish and mist her back. I'll talk to vet about sealing the wound tues. They r closed mon. In meantime if I use waterproof bandaid will it hurt good skin when removed?

Thx again for all your help!! So much appreciated!
Gabrielle

 

[Drache613]

Hello Gabrielle,

No problem.
I remember those other smaller areas, sure. How are they looking now?
For those smaller areas, you can continue to use the cream on them since they are small. They are not spreading, correct? If you don't feel comfortable yet giving the oral anti-fungal, just stick with the topical cream for now on those areas & watch to be sure they don't spread. As you have been doing, putting the honey on & around the face is fine, or silver cream, too. That would be safer than the anti-fungal cream around those areas.
A big thing with any fungus & wound control is keeping their immune systems boosted & having a controlled environment to reduce chances of infection. You have done a great job at that!
Continue to give probiotics to help get her system balanced back out as much as possible.
I hope the vet will be receptive in helping to get that area sealed up for awhile to give it a chance to heal. They have skin glue that they can use to help. I would recommend a skin graft, but that is just very difficult & intensive plus, she is very small.

Let us know how she is doing!

Tracie

 

[Gab122]

I remember those other smaller areas, sure. How are they looking now?
For those smaller areas, you can continue to use the cream on them since they are small. They are not spreading, correct?

The original yellow fungus dx was based on scrapes from hermies back (looking good but scarred I think) AND Nammers arm (much better but not 100% gone and possibly spreading? Both areas were tested together in one sampling.
Pics
Hermie's back





Nammers arm

I hope the vet will be receptive in helping to get that area sealed up for awhile to give it a chance to heal. They have skin glue that they can use to help. I would recommend a skin graft, but that is just very difficult & intensive plus, she is very small.

If they don't do a skin graft, what do they put over the open wound? Shd I put a waterproof bandaid over the wound in the meantime? Will that harm the good scales?

Thx!
Gab

 

[Gab122]

Here's some Nammer videos - sorry for overlapping.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Gabrielle,

Those areas sure did scar. HopefuIly after a few sheds, those areas will look a little better.
It doesn't appear to be spreading & it's kind of hard to tell whether or not those areas on the leg are fungal.
I wouldn't use any bandage on the skin so it doesn't damage that skin. Do you have any gauge you could use instead?
Has the area started to scab over again yet? If so, they can secure the scab over it to allow the skin underneath to begin healing up.
Nammer is doing great, that is wonderful! Now we need to get Hermie all better.

Let us know how they are doing.
Tracie

 

[Gab122]

some videos of Hermie
sorry for overlapping
video quality is low on Photobucket... will follow w/ clear pics.

 

[Gab122]

clearer pics from hermie's videos

 

[Drache613]

Hello Gabrielle,

Those are fungal spots, some are not so clear but it could be starting in those areas.
Is the chest starting to scab over again? I am thinking it would be a good idea to try the oral anti-fungal for her since she keeps having areas crop up like this that will only get worse.
As long as you keep her well hydrated & use probiotics the oral meds shouldn't be too bad as long as they are cycled correctly.
Poor girl, I am so sorry that she is having so much trouble.

Keep us posted on her.
Tracie

 

[Jenna8359]

They definetly have yellow fungus. I have been researching this for a while now since my dragon was diagnosed and this is a very aggressive disease that is resistant to some anti fungals. You need to get the antifungal meds I told you about ASAP. I hate to say this but I think it may be too late. They are ulcerated and I'm sure it's inside then too. Sending prayers and good wishes your way. I would love to see the two guys pull through. It is highly contagious to other reptiles so make sure you do not touch any other reptiles if you have others in your home. It is transmitted by direct contact and can travel as spores through clothing and blankets. Crossing my fingers for you girl.

 

[Jenna8359]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20370369

 

[Jenna8359]

http://avianandexoticvets.com/pancake-the-bearded-dragon/

 

[Jenna8359]

I'm just trying to help, not be bothersome. Look how similar the skin tissue is. And how it is appearing glossy. And yellow fungus causes ulcers which is exactly what is happening to hermie. Tell the vet to go on "VIN" and find info on yellow fungus. My dragon had been on her antifungal since Christmas and is improving. They have to be on it for at least 50 days.

 

[Jenna8359]

I'm just trying to help, not be bothersome. Look how similar the skin tissue is. And how it is appearing glossy. And yellow fungus causes ulcers which is exactly what is happening to hermie. Tell the vet to go on "VIN" and find info on yellow fungus. My dragon had been on her antifungal since Christmas and is improving. They have to be on it for at least 50 days.