Weird White spot on head

[Diamondc12]

Hi guys,

I had posted here the other day because my dragons been very lethargic lately, not wanting to eat, etc (She is a juvenile and too young to be brumating) and i forgot to ask about this then. She has this weird white spot on her head, that in person is kind of the color of the calcium powder, pure white and does not look like shed. it has been there for about two-three weeks and wont go away through multiple baths etc. To help with the lethargy etc, i have been giving her watered down baby food squash through a syringe (because she had been really dehydrated). I am calling to make an appointment with the vet monday to get her checked out and make sure she doesn't have any parasites etc.As well as a bath every other day. On a related note, up until about a month ago she had been shedding constantly, she would go through cycles of legs-tail then the rest of her body, however for the past month she has not shed at all. Is it normal for there to be such a drop off so drastically?

her basking light is a mercury vapor bulb that she can get about 7 inches from (powersun) over the rest of the tank i have a strip uvb light (also made by zoomed)
100-110 in basking spot, cool side stays between 75-80

 

[CooperDragon]

My first guess would be an area of shed, but if that's not the case, perhaps it's a burn. Has he been in contact with her lights or any hot surfaces? Is the area spreading or has it remained the same size since you first noticed it?

It's not uncommon for their shed cycles to change and definitely slow down as they get older. I wouldn't worry about that.

With the PowerSun, I'd move it a little further away. You may need a heat projector bulb or a second basking light to provide proper temperatures, but the MVBs are pretty powerful and can produce harmful amounts of UVB at close range. If you have the 100w I suggest between 9-12 inches above the basking area and with the 160w I suggest 12-15 inches above the basking area. This is based on readings with a UV meter and the optimal basking range of UVI for dragons (3-5 UVI at the basking site)

 

[Diamondc12]

Alright will do with the mvb, and as far as a burn goes I cannot imagine that she would have...there's nothing in her tank...only hot surfaces are the ceramic heater I have on the grate ontop of the tank(which she can't touch) and her mvb. But I really don't think it is shed...been there for too long without any color changing, however in a warm bath the area will go back to normal color if I wet it. Which also seems strange to me.

 

[JasonZ]

My Beardie has the same thing on top of the head but it's a bit larger area on mine. It is smooth to the touch so I would assume not a shed since that has roughness to it. Wouldn't a burn cause your dragon to jump or move away if you stroked or pet it in that area? Mine doesn't. Acts just like it normally does when I pet he/she (Don't know what sex mine is yet). It kind of looks like a milky smooth area or like a hot glue from a glue gun that dries into a solid smooth area and has a milky white look. If I can find my camera I'll take a close pic of it and hopefully will give more detail or an idea. What else could cause this other then shed and a burn? Maybe this is a temporary normal thing that might happen? I tried googling so many different search terms and criteria and nothing comes up to do with this type of issue. I plan on giving my Beardie a bath later on today and I'll see if I wet it in a bath if I get the same result as Diamondc12. Otherwise mine is very active and eats like crazy. Haven't noticed any mood, behavior, or energy issues or changes. I'm quite curious as to what anybody can come up with to shed some light on this issue affacting both of our Beardies.

I also don't know my Beardies age but am guestimating about 7 months. I'll see if I can get an accurate measurement of it's length; both head to tail, head to start of tail and tail length along with the width across the back/gut of the Beardie. The expertise and knowledge of the members here is needed and would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[CooperDragon]

If it isn't a burn or shed, it's possible that it's just a natural discoloration. Similar to a birthmark perhaps. The main thing I'd monitor is the size of the area. It should remain the same size. If it starts to grow or appear to spread it could indicate a skin infection of some sort which would need quick treatment.

 

[JasonZ]

I apolgize for not updating sooner. I still can't get adapter from my sister and I was at Walmart last night and could have bought it there. It looks like it's shedding because he/she started small sheds about a week ago and the white spot has shrunk. There are still some areas but they to a lesser extent then in the beginning. I'm going to try and get pics up here to show then and now and will keep and eye and see if it continues to decrease. It's a nice reddish orange in areas where it was covered white before. Thank You again for the advice! I appreciate it!!!