Home

>

Reptile

>

Health & Wellbeing

>

Yellow Fungus in Bearded Dragons

What is Yellow Fungus in Bearded Dragons? 

Updated on February 03, 2023
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller
DVM, MBA, DACVPM

What is yellow fungus?  | Is it contagious?  | Can it be fatal?  | Symptoms  | Treatment | Why is my bearded dragon yellow?  | Prevention

bearded dragon

Bearded dragons are fascinating and distinctive pets. Their standout scales that give them their name also feature unique patterns—most often in a variety of tans, yellows and oranges, although other color morphs can be found. 

As their pet parent, it’s important to carefully monitor your bearded dragon’s skin for any changes. Your lizard’s unique protective scales can often give you clues to their health. One disease to watch for in bearded dragons is yellow fungus. 

Want to learn more about your scaly pet? Take a look at our guides Basic Care and Supplies for a Bearded Dragon and 10 Bearded Dragon Fun Facts. 

What is yellow fungus? 

Yellow fungus—also called CANV (Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii)— is an infection caused by an overgrowth of this fungi. 

Any bearded dragon can develop yellow fungus, however, it’s more likely to develop in lizards with a weakened immune system. Your pet may be more prone to diseases like this one if they’ve experienced any of the following:

  • Skin injuries or trauma
  • They’re a juvenile or senior lizard
  • Stress
  • Lack of nutrients in their diet  
  • Illness
  • A dirty and poorly maintained habitat 
  • Inappropriate temperature and/or humidity
  • Underlying/chronic health conditions

Is yellow fungus contagious? 

Yes, other bearded dragons can contract this illness if they interact with an affected lizard or if cross-contamination occurs. Cross-contamination can happen when leftover food is moved from one habitat to another, or a pet parent fails to thoroughly wash their hands, clothes, habitat, décor, cleaning materials, sinks or tubs when caring for affected and unaffected lizards. The fungi release spores that are spread through skin/surface contact and the air. 

Always use caution when introducing a new bearded dragon into your home. While we recommend housing bearded dragons individually, a new bearded dragon may be at increased risk of developing yellow fungus disease based on how they were housed previously or where they were sourced from. Consult your vet and make sure your new lizard receives a thorough exam before allowing new and existing pets fromroaming outside of their habitats together.  

Can yellow fungus be fatal to my bearded dragon? 

Yes, yellow fungus disease in bearded dragons can be fatal.  While yellow fungus disease can be treated, and small amounts affecting extremities may be treated/amputated, advanced stages of the illness can cause death. If your pet is displaying any symptoms, seek immediate veterinary attention. Your vet can perform various tests to determine the existence of yellow fungus disease.

Symptoms of yellow fungus  

Typical symptoms of yellow fungus in bearded dragons can include the following:

  • Infection in their toes, feet, tip of tail, etc.
  • The development of brown or yellow lesions on your pet’s skin that spread and get larger over time 
  • An abnormality in normal shedding behavior
  • Crusty patches 
  • A thick spot on their scales

If the illness goes untreated, you may notice:

  • Open sores or wounds
  • Lack of appetite
  • Lethargy and changed behavior 
  • Weight loss

If your bearded dragon is refusing to eat and seems lethargic, this could signify that they’ve moved past the beginning stages of bearded dragon yellow fungus and are now in the advanced stages. Advanced stages can be extremely difficult to treat, so it’s important to consult your vet early for a better prognosis.

How do you treat yellow fungus on bearded dragons?

It will be important for your vet to determine if your pet does indeed have yellow fungus since some diseases cause similar symptoms. Your vet will most likely remove a small sample of scales for testing. 

Once they’ve obtained the scale biopsy, they’ll perform a PCR test and/or culture the fungi to determine a treatment plan. From there, your vet may do bloodwork to gauge your pet’s health and the infection’s severity. They may start treating the lesions by cleaning them thoroughly and removing dead skin. 

Oral and topical medication to treat the fungal infection will most likely be prescribed, or your vet may choose to use an injectable form of an anti-fungal. If your vet opts to give you a prescription for at-home care, be sure to follow the directions exactly and contact their office with any questions. 

Why is my bearded dragon yellow? 

If the new bearded dragon in your family is already yellow in color, there’s no reason to panic. Some of these lizards have a natural yellow coloring. If you notice your bearded dragon turning yellow suddenly, note that these pets can change color to help regulate their body temperature and to communicate with other bearded dragons.

You should, however, consult your vet if the new yellow hue doesn’t turn back to its normal color or you notice marks, poor shed and/or lesions developing. Remember, early detection can greatly improve your pet’s treatment plan, so getting them checked out by your veterinarian sooner rather than later is ideal. 

Prevention

Since yellow fungus is contagious, always use caution when handling different animals, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly between each reptile.  Always quarantine a new or established pet who may have this condition. 

When looking to obtain a new bearded dragon, carefully research pet stores or suppliers before purchasing. Unfortunately, some suppliers may not properly tend to the hygiene and habitats of these pets, which can lead to many illnesses. 

To help prevent your bearded dragon from developing yellow fungus, supporting their immune system is important—hygiene, temperature, humidity and diet are vital. Make sure your pet receives a variety of high-quality food that provides all the nutrients they need along with clean water. Do your research on proper balances of heat, shade and humidity for bearded dragons, as well as what accessories, substrate and décor they prefer. 

Our Bearded Dragon Care Sheet can give you more valuable information about your pet. You can also check out our Bearded Dragon Shop to find all the supplies you need to help keep your pet lizard thriving. 

image

Have a Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Filed Under

Sponsored