Help strange small dark spot on my beardies back appeared

[SolsKeeper]

Hi I just got my beardie 3 weeks ago, he's 6 months old and didn't notice any discoloration but now the last couple days I noticed a dark spot with a tiny yellowish part on his side. It seems to be changing his color of the pattern on his back, which can be visible by the picture located on his lower right side by his leg. 2 of the pictures are taken 1 full day apart and I'm pretty sure it's growing slightly. Could it be a fungal infection? Or just tough shedding? He's also had diarrhea but has been stressed out from me changing his sand to a reptile carpet and moving his terrarium to a new location. He is still eating which is a good sign. Should I take him to the vet?

Idk where else to ask this and dont want to drop 100s at the vet unless neccessary. Thanks everyone.

 

[HoomanSlave]

Replace his reptile carpet with paper towels and keep a close eye on him. If you have other reptiles, keep him in a separate room and care for him after you care for the others.

Yellow fungus or another infection is possible, but it could also be shed. Look for signs of him shedding in other places. Weigh him regularly to make sure he isn't losing weight because weight loss is a common symptom of illness.

 

[SolsKeeper]

Replace his reptile carpet with paper towels and keep a close eye on him. If you have other reptiles, keep him in a separate room and care for him after you care for the others.

Yellow fungus or another infection is possible, but it could also be shed. Look for signs of him shedding in other places. Weigh him regularly to make sure he isn't losing weight because weight loss is a common symptom of illness.

Okay will change the carpet to paper towels, can explain why is it for the diarrhea? And I do not have any others just him. I was thinking yellow fungus at first look but I do notice it seems a bit darker now than it was yesterday. He seems active and alert, basking more than he was yesterday. He has been shedding recently but I believe he's gotten most of it off. Here is some more pictures of what his side looks like.

 

[HoomanSlave]

The paper towels are more sanitary and easy to replace, so they're good for possible infections because it's harder for bacteria to spread. You can also keep a closer eye on his poop with paper towel.

If he's active and basking that's a good sign. Keep checking the area to see if it's shedding. You can try giving him a bath and gently scrubbing the yellow area with a soft toothbrush.

 

[Sadie]

To me that looks like a fungal or possible bacteria infection in the meantime get some raw unpasteurized honey on it Manuka is good --- make sure there are NO crickets left in the tank --- they will go for the wound ---- I would make a vet appt NOW -- since we arent sure what it is and if its a start of something more serious its best caught now --- here is a website for a reptile vet -- you want someone who knows bearded dragons
www.arav.org keep me posted please --- its possible they may haft to do a skin sample

 

[Sadie]

Diarrhea is caused by diet what are you feeding and UVB - what are you using for a UVB? coil or tube ? brand and bulb please --- your going to need a good one to get the wound / infection? healed up --- NO coils please

 

[SolsKeeper]

Diarrhea is caused by diet what are you feeding and UVB - what are you using for a UVB? coil or tube ? brand and bulb please --- your going to need a good one to get the wound / infection? healed up --- NO coils please

I'm feeding him what I have been, around 10-20 small crickets a day and greens daily which he picks at through the day. Like I said I just moved him to a new place so I heard stress can cause diarrhea. What would you suggest for a uvb bulb because i did not know coil bulbs were not good. I'm using a 26 watt 10.0 uvb bulb thrive brand and it's a coil bulb.

 

[HoomanSlave]

A Reptisun 10.0 or an Arcadia 12% are both good bulbs, especially when they're in a reflective fixture.

 

[Sadie]

I'm feeding him what I have been, around 10-20 small crickets a day and greens daily which he picks at through the day. Like I said I just moved him to a new place so I heard stress can cause diarrhea. What would you suggest for a uvb bulb because i did not know coil bulbs were not good. I'm using a 26 watt 10.0 uvb bulb thrive brand and it's a coil bulb.

If you want to stay w/ a coil the 26 watt please get a Reptisun bulb I am not a fan of coils --- but if you want to stay w a coil get the one mentioned -- here is some info on UVB's
Which UVB light should I use?

The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 12-15 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--
The 26w version of the UVB150 is similar in output to a T8 tube when using a reflector. The beam isn't as wide (depending on the length of the tube) but the output strength is very similar. If it was sitting about 6-8'' above the main basking area then it was likely providing adequate UVB. The 26 watt must be unobstructed from a screen. It's the lower wattage (13w) versions that cause concern since they aren't strong enough to provide adequate UVB at a safe distance.
If you need help w/ the UVB please ask I see Hooman answered your question about UVB's