Russian tortoise, swelling around lower jaw?

nootnootbu

Active Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2021
Messages
132
Location (City and/or State)
USA
I got this guy back at the end of January. He was never soaked by his former owner and was being fed just kale and carrots. I have no idea what his lighting situation was like back then.

He has been recovering and doing well for me up until a couple of days ago when I noticed his chin seems swollen, especially his bottom lip area, and it looks like he might have a small white round spot under his upper beak. He has still been eating well, having good normal poops and urates with a good frequency. He seems to be active and often digs.

He has a florescent UV light, the tube kind, and he has a che for heat, which hasn't been running much lately since the natural temp in the house is hovering around 90 during the day and 80 at night.

He is on cypress mulch substrate.

He gets soaks in warm water almost every day. Sometimes it's every other day, but he never goes more than 1 day without a soak. He usually poops and pees in his soak.

He is eating a diet of weeds (dandelions and clover), grass (both from the yard and moistened hay pellets), and some grocery store greens like spring mix, kale, collards, mustards, and turnip greens. (Normally organic).

Here are some pictures:
 

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Last edited:

Lori1911

New Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Racine, wisconsin
Hi. I am noticing a similar thing on my newish Russian tortoise, but only on one side of his lower jaw. Wondering what the outcome was for your tortoise. Thanks for any info.
 

nootnootbu

Active Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2021
Messages
132
Location (City and/or State)
USA
Hi. I am noticing a similar thing on my newish Russian tortoise, but only on one side of his lower jaw. Wondering what the outcome was for your tortoise. Thanks for any info.
I tore his food up smaller for him for a while as I think he'd maybe injured his beak somehow. It went away on its own and he's been back to normal for a while now.
 
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