Worried that my lizard has MBD?

[hooklinebrittany]

Today I woke up and went to check on my lizard and I picked him up and noticed he had a lump on his back right behind his head where most bearded dragons have those random black spots, one on each side. I hope you know what I'm talking about. But I'm really worried that it could be mbd, he has also had problems with bacterial infections before and I'm wondering if that could be it. I will take him to the vet, but I was wondering if anyone knows if MBD is curable if caught soon enough? He's a really small guy... :/ he's barely even three. I don't want him to die, I love him. It feels like something bit him, like... it's in the same shape that a bug bite would be on a human, you know... raised skin and stuff. But it doesn't seem like it's a growth, it just seems like something bit him and the area is swollen. At the top of the lump there was a tiny area of some dead skin. I'm really confused as to what this might be. Help, please :/

 

[hooklinebrittany]

When I move his skin, the bite/lump/whatever moves with it.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Brit....can you post a picture, it would really help a lot. MBD ca sometimes cause a lump on the back, but usually not behind the neck. It doesn't sound like a bug bite [ which could be from a loose cricket in some cases ] , those are usually more of a sore spot. It may be some type of cyst. You say she's 3 years old ? Not 3 months , huh ?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

A picture would be helpful, if you can.
Usually a lump that moves would be a cyst, or an abscess. Do you keep crickets in the tank with her that could have bitten her?
Which UVB light are you using?

Tracie

 

[hooklinebrittany]

I use the reptisun 5.0 flourescent bulbs. Yes, Ivan is 3 years old, in a few months. I don't generally keep crickets in the cage with him. How would he have a cyst or abscess? And why?

 

[hooklinebrittany]

I'm personally kinda worried that it could be another bacterial infection because of the way the scales look. I mean really, I have no idea.

 

[AHBD]

Well, that's not MBD at all. Is it possible that there were any loose crickets hiding in random areas in the tank ? Check to be sure. It looks like either that or some type of small cyst. It shouldn't be too hard to treat. What type of bacterial infection did he have that you mentioned ? By the way, the Reptisun 10.0 is a stronger UVB than the 5.0, [ you said tube, not compact ] but as long as you have it within 6-8" it's still O.K. I know because those were the ones we all used 16-17 years ago before the 10.0 came out, and the dragons were just as healthy. But that spot on her epalet [ the shoulder pad thing ] is not MBD.

 

[hooklinebrittany]

Well that's good to know because every time he gets sick I am always like OH MY GOD ITS MBD HE'S GONNA DIE AND SO WILL I!!! Lol. I freak out hard core whenever he is sick. But I checked the cage and I haven't seen any loose crickets... It's really raised though in a way similar to a pimple :/ and I'm not sure what type of bacterial infection he had before but I know that it was because the humidity in his tank was screwed up. If its a cyst... Or an abscess... How would I treat it?

 

[hooklinebrittany]

By the way id like to mention that I'm trying not to agitate him but every time I touch that area he moves away like it hurts.

 

[hooklinebrittany]

I just remembered that about three years ago he had necrosis in his tail, I treated it and it stopped. This is starting to look somewhat similar, with how black the scales naturally are though I can't really tell and im worried.

 

[hooklinebrittany]

Anyone? :/

 

[AHBD]

Brit, for now put some antibiotic cream on it. I don't think it's necrotic, but you may need to see a vet. You could p.m Drache613 to get her in put [ Tracies, one of the mods, or any of the other mods. ]

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

An abscess can happen when there was an injury to the scale in some way possibly from rubbing it on something in his tank or from a retained scale from his last shed. Fluid can build up causing bacteria to form in cases of retained shed which can cause an abscess over time.
I would clean it daily with a diluted betadine solution & use antibiotic ointment as well. The vet could aspirate some fluid from that area to culture & see what type of bacteria is present also.
What is his appetite like?

Tracie

 

[hooklinebrittany]

His appetite is actually very regular. He seems to be acting just fine as well.