Mouth rot?

[EllorieJoyce]

I’m hoping someone knowledgeable can help out. We WILL be seeing a vet next week, but I currently have a pending COVID test and an awful cough and cannot leave my home.

The first pic is the day I got her (September). I didn’t even notice the discoloration/mild swelling.

The next 2 pics are now. The swollen area is firm like bone. She’s active and eats like a pig (leafy greens and Mazuri).

What can I do for her in the meantime?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hhhm, I see what you are referring to there. Maybe @zovick can look?

 

[crimson_lotus]

hope it is just an abscess and can be lanced.

ear abscesses are pretty common...this seems like the location is a bit off, though

 

[zovick]

I’m hoping someone knowledgeable can help out. We WILL be seeing a vet next week, but I currently have a pending COVID test and an awful cough and cannot leave my home.

The first pic is the day I got her (September). I didn’t even notice the discoloration/mild swelling.

The next 2 pics are now. The swollen area is firm like bone. She’s active and eats like a pig (leafy greens and Mazuri).

What can I do for her in the meantime?View attachment 310943View attachment 310944View attachment 310945

From the description and history you gave, this would appear to be an abscess or a cyst. It could also be a parotid gland tumor but that is less likely IMHO. If it continues to grow, it could put pressure on the trachea and/or the esophagus and interfere with breathing and possibly even swallowing., so it does need attention from a vet. It would probably be best to remove it surgically rather than just lance it and hope it goes away since is has been there for a couple of months and become a chronic rather than an acute problem.

In humans, it is often possible to make a rather small incision and then enucleate the entire cystic sac through the small incision and suture the sides back together with very few sutures. Obviously, the tortoise would need to be anesthetized to accomplish this type of procedure successfully, so be prepared for that to be suggested.

I would just keep feeding the tortoise and caring for it as you normally do until the appointment.

Let us know what the final diagnosis is and what happens after you see the vet, please.

Good luck!

 

[EllorieJoyce]

Update: First vet said nothing to worry about. It got worse and I sought a second opinion. This is her after cleaning. She’s on antibiotics for the next 2 weeks, as whatever-it-is is infected. Once she’s clear of infection, we’ll be able to get a better idea of whether it was just a bacterial infection or if it’s cancer.