White Spot on Bearded Dragon

[Eglantine]

Age: 1 year and 3 months
Size of Dragon: 17 1/8”
Enclosure size: 20 gallons (Length: 30” Width: 12 ¼” Height: 12”)
Temperatures:
Basking: around 110*F
Cool: 82*F
Substrate: Clean play sand
Diet: Crickets, Superworms, Kale, and Mustard Greens
Gender: Female
Almost no exotic vets around
She has had this white spot on her side for several months and even shed her back today.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, can you post a few more pics in better light ? It's hard to tell what that is but it looks like a small patch of skin that didn't shed.

 

[Eglantine]

The spot changed color a little bit more grey after this shed.

 

[EllenD]

It's hard to really get a feel for what that patch of skin is like from the photos...Is the area a different texture? Does it seem like the discolored area is on top of his normal skin, or is it seamless? It also looks like there is a little black growth in the middle of the patch, is that just a regular scale or horn, or is it actually a growth?

It may be retained shed, which is why I asked if it's on top of his normal skin, but I can't tell. Have you tried putting him in a warm bath and very gently using a soft toothbrush to scrub it off, or to see if it will scrub off, like retained shed would?

 

[Eglantine]

The spot does not have a different texture and seems to be seamless with the area around it. The dark spot in the middle is just a normal colored scale. I have already tried bathing her and the spot did not scrub off. I even looked at her most recent shed and there was a patch of white on it where it should be.

 

[AHBD]

It does look like shed but maybe it's not if it isn't coming off. Is there any way she could have gotten burned there ?

 

[Eglantine]

I don't think so, it has been there for about 6 months

 

[PrettyinPurple]

I can't really tell the texture or exactly what you're dealing with from the picture, but there is a slight possibility that it could be a stubborn shed.
Also, not that this is related to your question, but at its current size you should really consider upgrading the tank size for your beardie if at all possible. The minimum tank size is 40 gallons and from your measurements they are almost full-grown and only 3 inches shy of being as long as the tank. Actually, now that I think about it I wonder if the spot could be caused from stress? I could imagine a tank that is too small could cause some amount of stress.

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

I don't have a response to the skin patch, but I also did want to comment on the housing though I am aware that's not what you're here for, but it's a long term health concern that needs to be addressed for the wellness of your dragon.

The rule of thumb with enclosed pets, like dragons, is they should be able to turn around comfortably. Right now you have a dragon that is both longer than the width and longer than the height of her home by a large margin. That dragon is incredibly cramped and likely very stressed out because of this. It would kind of be like living in a closet. Sure you can move, but you're forced in one position in order to be comfortable.

Please upgrade her as soon as you can to at least a 40 gallon breeder (36"x18"x18"). Being 18" tall and wide will give her adequate room to sit facing other directions. Many old tanks are sold on craigslist or the new facebook market place (my area is FLOODED with tanks, I'm keeping my eye out for a good deal.) The bigger the better, but nothing smaller than the dimensions I listed above. Your dragon will thank you for it

 

[Eglantine]

I was actually going to look for a new terrarium for her today due to some of her eggs hatching soon. Thanks for that info though.