Bearded dragons are becoming increasingly popular pets, but with their popularity comes the risk of disease. One of the most concerning diseases for bearded dragon owners is yellow fungus. This aggressive fungal infection can cause severe illness and even death if left untreated. As a bearded dragon owner, it’s crucial to understand yellow fungus so you can properly care for your pet. This article provides a comprehensive overview of yellow fungus in bearded dragons, including causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
What Causes Yellow Fungus?
Yellow fungus, scientifically known as Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV), is caused by a pathogenic fungus There are two main ways bearded dragons become infected
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Poor husbandry Dragons kept in suboptimal conditions are more susceptible to illness Incorrect temperatures, inadequate UVB light, poor hygiene, and crowding stress the immune system
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Pathogen exposure Healthy dragons can become infected through direct or indirect contact with the fungus This includes contact with infected dragons or items used around infected dragons
The fungal spores can persist in the environment, so quarantining new dragons and disinfecting habitats is recommended.
Recognizing Symptoms of Yellow Fungus
In the early stages, symptoms may include:
- Small crusty or discolored lesions on the scales
- Abnormal shedding with dull, rough scales
- More frequent shedding
As the infection advances, you may see:
- Scales turning yellow, brown, grey, or black
- Scales becoming thickened or cracked
- Open wounds with inflamed, ulcerated tissue
- Tail or limbs falling off
- Decreased appetite and activity level
- Discharge from wounds
Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few weeks to several months after exposure to the fungus. Careful monitoring for changes is important for early intervention.
Getting a Yellow Fungus Diagnosis
If you notice any symptoms of yellow fungus, schedule a veterinarian visit right away. Your vet will take a full history and examine your bearded dragon. They may recommend:
- Skin biopsy to examine cells under a microscope
- Fungal culture to identify the specific fungus
- Blood tests to assess overall health
- Imaging tests to check for internal infection
A proper diagnosis is essential before starting treatment. It allows your vet to prescribe the most effective antifungal medication.
Treating Yellow Fungus in Bearded Dragons
The goals of yellow fungus treatment are to fight the infection, ease symptoms, and prevent spread. Here are the main components:
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Antifungal medication: Oral drugs like voriconazole or itraconazole are prescribed for 4-6 weeks or longer. Topical creams may also be used on skin lesions.
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Supportive care: Appetite stimulants, fluids, nutritional supplements, and baths can help during treatment.
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Wound care: Infected skin is gently cleaned and medicated ointments applied. Bandages may be needed.
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Isolation: Infected dragons should be housed separately to prevent disease spread. Proper disinfection protocols must be followed.
With aggressive treatment in the early stages, prognosis can be good. However, yellow fungus can be fatal if left untreated. Lifelong treatment may be required in some cases.
Preventing Yellow Fungus in Bearded Dragons
Prevention is always better than treatment. Here are some tips for keeping your bearded dragon yellow fungus-free:
- Maintain proper temperatures and UVB lighting.
- Practice good hygiene like weekly cleanings and disinfection.
- House dragons separately, ideally in their own enclosures.
- Quarantine new dragons for at least 30-45 days.
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling dragons.
- Disinfect any new items placed in the habitat.
- Avoid purchasing from overcrowded, high-risk environments.
By understanding yellow fungus and implementing proper husbandry, you can help protect your bearded dragon’s health. If you suspect an issue, don’t delay—contact your veterinarian right away. With quick action, you can successfully treat yellow fungus and continue enjoying your pet dragon.
Research Identified Effective Fungal Medication
When the standard treatment for a fungal infection wasn’t working for Frankie, a bearded dragon, the experts at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine were able to help.
Frankie was only 8 weeks old when her pet parents noticed a dark spot on her back. After new and larger spots started to appear, Frankie visited her local veterinarian. A fungal culture yielded a diagnosis of Nannizziopsis guarroi, a pathogen that infects the skin and sometimes the internal organs of lizards.
Frankie’s veterinarian started her on voriconazole, a medication used for both people and lizards with fungal infections. Although it is currently the treatment of choice for lizards with Nannizziopsis guarroi, this drug is not 100% effective in treating all cases, and Frankie’s condition started to decline.
“The toxicity of the medicine was taking a toll on Frankie’s health,” says her owner. “I thought we would lose her.” Her veterinarian then suggested that Frankie should be seen by the zoological medicine service, located in the new Veterinary Medicine South Clinic at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Krista Keller, who heads the service and is a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine, was Frankie’s doctor. The classical appearance of a N. guarroi infection is a crusty yellow lesion, and it is sometimes called “yellow fungus disease.” However, Dr. Keller says that often a bearded dragon with this infection, like Frankie, will have dark crusty lesions rather than yellow ones.
No one knows for sure how lizards become infected with this fungus, but it appears to be contagious. Most of the cases treated at the University of Illinois hospital have involved lizards that were recently acquired and had been in contact with other reptiles, either at a pet store or a breeding facility.
At Frankie’s first visit with Dr. Keller, her family members reported that Frankie had not been eating well and was more quiet than normal. “A healthy bearded dragon is typically quite bright, interactive with their environment, and they are voracious eaters,” says Dr. Keller. It was obvious that Frankie’s family had a special bond with her and recognized that something was wrong.
Experts at the University of Illinois Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory, which is co-directed by Dr. Keller, had conducted research that showed the fungus troubling Frankie could be treated with terbinafine, another antifungal medication that acts to kill fungus in a different way than voriconazole. This information allowed them to find a dose that was effective and safe to use in a bearded dragon.
“I’m excited about current research in our lab investigating safer and more efficacious treatments against N. guarroi. Frankie’s therapy was based upon ongoing research in our laboratory, and the results from her case are very promising for future therapies,” says Dr. Keller.
Like most fungal infections, Frankie’s infection needed long-term treatment. Frankie received terbinafine for a few months. She also visited the clinic for monthly rechecks, and there was ongoing communication between the College of Veterinary Medicine veterinarians, Frankie’s regular veterinarian and Frankie’s family.
“Luckily, she started to turn the corner within the first week of intensive care provided to her from her very dedicated human family members,” reports Dr. Keller. “We were able to ensure that Frankie was cleared of the infection a few months after the initial diagnosis.”
Over a year after Frankie was first seen at the hospital, the infection has not returned, and Frankie continues to do well.
Yellow Fungus Fever ( yellow fungus disease )
FAQ
Can bearded dragons survive yellow fungus?
There is little chance a bearded dragon will survive yellow fungus, especially if it’s not caught very early. The life expectancy will vary depending on the severity of the disease and how early it is caught, but oftentimes an affected dragon will live 12 to 18 months after a diagnosis.
Can you cure yellow fungus?
What is the treatment of Yellow fungus infection? Antifungal medicines are used to treat yellow fungal infections and other fungal infections under medical advice. Though these fungal infections are dangerous, they can be cured if detected early and received proper medical guidance.
What is the yellow skin disease on my bearded dragon?
CANV (Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vreisii) is an aggressive and potentially fatal fungal infection of several types of lizard species but is most commonly seen in bearded dragons. It is also known as ‘yellow fungus disease’.
What is the yellow fungus in my reptile enclosure?
Some fungi are harmful, and too much fungus or mold can be a warning sign of imbalance within your vivarium. Chytrid fungus, snake fungus, and yellow fungus can be extremely harmful to some reptiles and amphibians, so you want to avoid introducing them to your viv at all costs.
How do you treat bearded dragon yellow fungus?
Isolate your bearded dragon, yellow fungus disease (CANV) is a highly contagious. – Chlorhexidine soap or Nolvasan may be useful to begin treating the infection topically. Both Chlorhexidine and Nolvasan are typically available from chemists and are anti-fungal plus anti-bacterial.
What is yellow fungus disease in bearded dragons?
Yellow fungus disease in bearded dragons (also known as CANV – Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii) is a fairly newly defined pathogen implicated in a fungal infection. CANV belongs to a group of fungi which are keratinophilic – meaning that it likes to grow on keratin (the stuff that scales are made of).
Can bearded dragons get fungus?
However, Dr. Keller says that often a bearded dragon with this infection, like Frankie, will have dark crusty lesions rather than yellow ones. No one knows for sure how lizards become infected with this fungus, but it appears to be contagious.
How do you know if a bearded dragon has yellow fungus?
Many deeper infections are diagnosed via postmortem examination. One of the symptoms of yellow fungus disease in bearded dragons is hyperpigmentation of the skin (darkening of the skin). This bearded dragon shows hyperpigmentation on the last third of the body near the tail (caudal 1/3 of body). Photo courtesy of Charlotte
Can a dragon get yellow fungus?
The fungus that causes YFD can only grow at temperatures lower than that of the human body and so the potential for infection from your dragon to you is very low or non-existent. Yellow Fungus Disease (YFD) is often fatal and the treatment is often for a long period of time.
What causes YFD in bearded dragons?
This disease is also often called CANV after what was thought to be the fungus that caused it, Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii. It is now known that the most common cause of YFD in captive bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) is Nannizziopsis guarroi.