Scale rot is a common skin condition that affects many pet bearded dragons. If your bearded dragon’s scales appear discolored, wrinkled or inflamed, it likely has scale rot.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about scale rot in bearded dragons including what causes it, symptoms to look out for, treatment options, prevention tips, and more.
Read on to learn how to identify, treat, and prevent scale rot in your pet reptile.
What Causes Scale Rot in Bearded Dragons?
Bacterial or Fungal Infection
One of the most common causes of scale rot in bearded dragons is a bacterial or fungal infection. Bacteria like Aeromonas and Pseudomonas, as well as fungi like Chrysosporium are often to blame. These microorganisms are opportunistic and will attack the skin if the bearded dragon’s immune system is compromised or its skin is damaged.
Infections often start in humid, unclean enclosures. Dirty substrate, feces and uneaten food can harbor harmful microbes. Bearded dragons with weakened immune systems due to stress or poor nutrition are most at risk.
In addition, wounds from injuries make it easy for pathogens to enter the body and get under the scales.
Poor Husbandry
Improper husbandry is another major contributor to scale rot. Housing bearded dragons on substrate that is too damp promotes fungal and bacterial growth. Reptile carpets, for example, are very difficult to clean properly and often harbor microorganisms.
Sand is also problematic as particles can get trapped under scales.
Enclosures that are too cold can also lead to scale rot by slowing the bearded dragon’s metabolism and suppressing its immune system. Temperatures below 75°F (24°C) should be avoided. Finally, unclean living conditions allow infectious agents to accumulate and raise the risk of disease.
Injury
Injuries that damage the skin are a direct avenue for infections to enter the body and infect the tissue under scales. Common causes of injury include sharp decorations in the enclosure, fighting with cage mates, accidents during handling, and scratching against rough surfaces.
Introducing new cage furniture or decor should be done carefully to avoid harming the bearded dragon.
Stress
Stress raises cortisol levels in the body which suppresses the immune system, making bearded dragons more prone to disease. Causes of stress include:
- – Improper temperatures
- – Small enclosure size
- – Lack of hiding spots
- – No UV light
- – Aggressive cage mates
- – Loud noises
- – Frequent handling
Eliminating stressors and providing proper care is key to keeping bearded dragons healthy and avoiding scale rot.
Malnourishment
Poor nutrition leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that impair bearded dragon immune function. Lack of calcium can cause metabolic bone disease. Inadequate vitamin A can also increase susceptibility to infection.
To prevent nutritional disorders, provide a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and properly gutloaded insects.
Symptoms of Scale Rot
Scale rot in bearded dragons can manifest itself through several concerning symptoms. Being able to recognize these signs early is crucial for getting your dragon the treatment they need. Here are some of the most common indications that a reptile may have scale rot.
Discolored Scales
One of the first things you may notice with scale rot is discoloration of your dragon’s scales, typically around their feet, tail, and belly. Healthy scales should be bright and vibrant. With scale rot, they often take on a dull, darker hue and may appear almost black or brown in severe cases.
Wrinkled Skin
As the infection progresses, you may see the skin becoming wrinkled and dehydrated looking between and around scales. This wrinkling results from tissue damage under the scales and is usually more prevalent on the dragon’s underside.
Inflamed Scales
Inflammation of the skin between scales frequently accompanies scale rot as well. The areas between scales may appear swollen and red. In later stages, ulcers or sores may also open up, causing discharge to weep from the infection site.
Shedding Issues
Scale rot can also lead to abnormal shedding where pieces of dead skin fail to detach properly. These stuck shed patches appear white or gray. They occur when the infection has impaired healthy skin renewal and may cover raw lesions underneath.
Loss of Appetite
Finally, advanced scale rot often causes a marked decrease in appetite or refusal to eat entirely. This results from the dragon feeling unwell as the infection takes its toll. Without prompt treatment, severe weight loss and debilitation can follow.
Catching and addressing scale rot quickly is essential to prevent complications. Check for the above symptoms regularly during handling and habitat cleaning. Look especially closely at the belly and other sites that contact wet surfaces.
If you suspect scale rot, arrange an exam with an exotic veterinarian right away.
Treating Scale Rot in Bearded Dragons
Improve Husbandry
The first step in treating scale rot is to improve the bearded dragon’s husbandry and environment. This involves thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the enclosure to remove bacteria, as well as correcting any husbandry issues like inadequate heating/lighting, limited space, or poor hygiene that may have contributed to the infection (Herpetoculture House, 2022).
Switching to a sterile paper towel or newspaper substrate can help prevent recurrence.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Medication
Veterinarians often prescribe topical antibacterial or antifungal creams/ointments containing gentamicin, mupirocin, or itraconazole to treat stubborn infections. Oral antifungal or antibiotic medication may also be warranted for serious cases.
Treatments typically need to continue for 2-4 weeks to fully resolve the rot.
Topical Treatments
Some effective do-it-yourself topical remedies include applying honey, silver sulfadiazine cream, or a 50/50 dilution of providone iodine. These help fight infection while also promoting skin healing. It’s crucial to gently scrub away dead tissue to allow the medicine to penetrate.
Topical solutions should be dabbed on gently 2-3 times a day using a cotton swab.
Increase Temperatures
Basking temperatures of 95-110°F are key for inhibiting fungal/bacterial growth and supporting immune function in bearded dragons exhibiting scale rot (Lafeber Veterinary, 2021). Provide a thermal gradient allowing them to self-regulate temperature.
Using overhead heating lamps to increase ambient temperatures can also help resolve mild infections faster.
Assist with Shedding
Gently bathing dragons in shallow warm water to soften skin can help remove retained shed skin layers harboring infection. Using a soft toothbrush or wet cloth, gently rub loosened skin away. Providing rough surfaces for rubbing against also assists with the shedding process.
Eliminating retained skin encourages healing and reduces recurrence risk.
Preventing Scale Rot
Proper Diet
Providing a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for preventing scale rot in bearded dragons. Their diet should consist of calcium-rich feeders like crickets, dubia roaches and mealworms, dark leafy greens and vegetables. Make sure to gut load and dust insects with calcium/vitamin supplements.
Variety in diet ensures they get all required nutrients. Avoid too much spinach, fruits or bugs with hard exoskeletons that are difficult to digest.
Ideal Habitat
Bearded dragons require specific habitat conditions to thrive. Their enclosure should be large enough, around 40-120 gal for adults. Use reptile-safe substrates like paper towels, tiles or mats that won’t cause impaction if ingested. Keep basking spot temperature around 95-110°F and cool side 80-85°F.
Provide UVB lighting for 12-14 hrs/day and basking light. Ensure proper ventilation. Mist enclosure to maintain 30-40% humidity. Improper housing raises stress and infection risks.
Regular Cleaning
Frequent cleaning of the enclosure is important to prevent scale rot. Remove poop daily and disinfect the tank weekly. Replace substrates like reptile carpets when soiled. Wash water and food bowls regularly.
Improper hygiene allows harmful bacteria to accumulate and infect open wounds or damaged scales. Deep clean the tank monthly by removing all decor, disinfecting and rinsing thoroughly before replacing items.
Humidity Control
Excess moisture and humidity in the enclosure can lead to scale rot. Ideal humidity level is 30-40%. Use hygrometers to monitor level. Limit misting duration and frequency. Ensure proper ventilation with mesh lids or fans. Use moisture-absorbing substrates instead of wet ones.
Keep water dishes away from basking sites. Allow the tank to completely dry out between mistings. Improper humidity softens scales and promotes bacterial overgrowth.
Stress Reduction
Stress weakens the immune system of bearded dragons, making them prone to infections like scale rot. Provide proper housing space, basking temperatures, UVB exposure and diet to avoid metabolic stress. Give hideouts and enrichment objects to lower territorial stress.
Limit handling to short periods to prevent over-handling stress. Introduce new dragons slowly to avoid aggression. Observe behaviors to identify stress triggers. Consult an exotic vet if symptoms persist despite improvements.
Conclusion
In summary, scale rot is a common skin condition in pet bearded dragons caused by poor husbandry, infection, malnutrition, stress, or injury. Telltale symptoms include discolored, wrinkled, inflamed, or excessively shedding scales.
With proper treatment involving topical antifungal/antibacterial medication, husbandry changes, assisted sheds, and stress reduction, scale rot can be cured. Prevent scale rot by optimizing your bearded dragon’s habitat, nutrition, temperatures, humidity, and minimizing stress.
By understanding the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods for scale rot, you can keep your bearded dragon happy and healthy.
