Weird scales?

[saranita]

My bearded dragon has some weird looking scales on her stomach, she is a year old and used to get one everyonce in while but now theres a few on her stomach, I'll get a picture if i can, I think I have one of one she had on her tail once I will psot at the end of the post if i can find it. The scales look i almost wanna say dead? but just one scale every once inwhile so I doubt its stuck shed, does anyone know what sort of thing im talking about or have suggestions?
Can't find a picture, could it be too dry in her tank? I thought it was supposed to be dry?

 

[saranita]

Update of pictures!
I'm just going to post the links to my flickr because it makes things alot easier
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saranitabonita/5427246328/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saranitabonita/5427246590/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saranitabonita/5427246848/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saranitabonita/5427247128/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saranitabonita/5426641705/in/photostream/

 

[LilStinkpot]

Alas, I didn't come with answers, just support. :wink: It really stinks to sit there, waiting for answers.

While waiting for "those who KNOW," who most surely will be online soon, could you post some information they'll be asking for?

What size is the tank?
What are the basking, ambient hot, & ambient cold temps?
How do you measure temps?
What is the humidity?
Do you mist?
Is there a water dish?
Do you bathe your beardie? How often?
What do you feed? What and how often?
What is lining the bottom of the tank?
How often is the tank cleaned?
Do you use a heat rock? Under tank heater?
What kind of lighting? (make and model of each bulb)
Is the UV light a long tube, coil flouro, mercury vapor bulb? How old is it?
.........

Whew. I ran out of questions, I'm sure I missed a few, but these will be a very good start.



I'd like to add that Teddy also has a funky single scale. I'm pretty sure this one was caused by me hitting a "feeder vein" with a needle during treatment for an infection. But I doubt this is your problem.

Anyways, keep an eye on your e-mail notifications, you'll be getting answers soon. :wink:

 

[Beardednoob]

Dry? That depends on your interpretation of what dry is, I guess. I would recommend the humidity levels to be between 20% - 45%, this range will leave a safer margin on each end. >15% humidity can lead to the dragon dehydrating at accelerated rates. <55% mold, fungus and mildew can naturally grow. Since most owners will bath their dragons 2-3 times a week, I have left a smaller margin in the lower levels. On the opposite side, I have purposely left a larger margin as eukaryote (fungus) can have a wide range of adverse health effects on bearded dragons (amongst many other species of animals, including humans).

Bathing- 2-3 times a week for a healthy dragon, in lukewarm water (~90degrees F) for 10-15 minutes per bath. As a safety precaution never leave your dragon unattended in the bath. Bearded dragons can aspire water very easily leading to RI's or even death by accidental drowning.

Tips to raise the humidity levels. Provide a water dish, provide a larger water dish, mist the dragon and or enclosure, move the enclosure near a window, move the enclosure to a sub-level (basement), use a humidifier.

Tips to lower the humidity levels. Remove the water dish and provide greens only (only use this if bathing regularly or dropper feeding water), move the enclosure from near a window, move the enclosure from a sub-level, use a dehumidifier.

I have noticed on one of my dragons these, what appear as dead (?) scales. After making a post on it myself I was indicated there wasn't really an issue. Keep an eye on it, if it progresses then there may be cause for further investigation into what is the cause, and what to do for treatment.
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=140681&p=1140361&hilit=des+concern#p1140361

 

[saranita]

What size is the tank? 75gallon
What are the basking, ambient hot, & ambient cold temps? basking between 90-110 cool around 80 i think?
How do you measure temps? laser thermometer
What is the humidity? no idea
Do you mist? no
Is there a water dish? yes
Do you bathe your beardie? How often? used to regularly, havent in a long time, might start again
What do you feed? What and how often? salad (making a better variety now) everyday and crickets every other day
What is lining the bottom of the tank? walnut crushings (plz dont go on about this, iv consulted a professional i trust whos been raising lizards his whole life I am comfortable with this choice)
How often is the tank cleaned? i just kind of sift out loose lettuce and poop whenever i notice it
Do you use a heat rock? Under tank heater? no, never
What kind of lighting? (make and model of each bulb) 2 UV bulbs I cant remember wtf theyr called but theyr the ones everyone on this site talks about, reptisun 10.0 or something? searched everywhere for these, and 2 basking bulbs, one strong at the basking spot, one lower on the cool side (necissary to keep it warm enough)
Is the UV light a long tube, coil flouro, mercury vapor bulb? How old is it? tube light, replaces in january, brand new

ok now that those are answered thank you both for replying, but The thread I was linked to doesnt look like the same thing as what is on my dragon. If you look at my pictures it looks like some scales are peeling off indivdually as well as being discoloured, the ones in the other thread simply look darkened.

 

[Beardednoob]

It may have something to do with the substrate, I know you didn't want comments on that but, as a dragon walks they often will drag their bellies. It is a possibility. I you want you can try to replace the substrate with paper towels, see if there is a change.

And as you requested I will not get into the adverse health effects of a particulate substrate. :wink:

What size is the tank? 75gallon
What are the basking, ambient hot, & ambient cold temps? basking between 90-110 cool around 80 i think?
How do you measure temps? laser thermometer
What is the humidity? no idea This is an important aspect to monitor, I would suggest getting a hydrometer.
Do you mist? no
Is there a water dish? yes
Do you bathe your beardie? How often? used to regularly, havent in a long time, might start again
What do you feed? What and how often? salad (making a better variety now) everyday and crickets every other day
What is lining the bottom of the tank? walnut crushings (plz dont go on about this, iv consulted a professional i trust whos been raising lizards his whole life I am comfortable with this choice) Just curious as to what this professional suggested about your dragons scales?
How often is the tank cleaned? i just kind of sift out loose lettuce and poop whenever i notice it
Do you use a heat rock? Under tank heater? no, never
What kind of lighting? (make and model of each bulb) 2 UV bulbs I cant remember wtf theyr called but theyr the ones everyone on this site talks about, reptisun 10.0 or something? searched everywhere for these, and 2 basking bulbs, one strong at the basking spot, one lower on the cool side (necissary to keep it warm enough)
Is the UV light a long tube, coil flouro, mercury vapor bulb? How old is it? tube light, replaces in january, brand new

 

[saranita]

The guy i know has raised all his beardies on this substrate, its very digestible (not completely i know w.e) but she doesnt have problems with that its her odd skin, i feel like if its the dragging he would have seen this on some of his beardies (hes a breeder who owns a pet store hes had alot)

 

[Beardednoob]

When could you get a hydrometer?

 

[saranita]

Probably not for 2 weeks, I could probably get one sooner if you really think the humidity is the issue?

 

[TASTIGER]

i rescued a bearded dragon that was on crushed walnut and it would scrape off shed before it was ready causing the deformed scales not to mention he was always really dusty because the crushed walnut is dusty.

 

[saranita]

must be a different brand, the walnut i use is not dusty at all

 

[TASTIGER]

i wouldnt know what brand it was i switched to tile its easier to clean

 

[saranita]

oh just noticed the comment before, i havent had a chance to get to him and ask about the scales yet, probably cant for a little bit.