Tortoise has softish growth on his right side near the back of his jaw. What could it be?

C_P808

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A vet is going to take a look at it, but till then, I wanted to try gather more info on what it could be. My Sulcata has had it for a few months, and we hoped it was a sting or liquid filled abscess that would go away on its own. But it seems to have gotten bigger, so we scheduled a vet appointment. It doesn't seem to bother him and hasn't affected his eating or sleeping. Doesn't bother him when we touch it either. It's fairly soft, like touching a ripe grape. I've attached a picture.

IMG_20210221_103516.jpg
 
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Maggie3fan

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Looks like an abscess to me, but I am no expert, however, I will call one, she's probably napping and won't answer to me...lol
But she'll get ya, in the meantime all kinds of other people will respond
@Yvonne G
 

wellington

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Can you post a few more pics of the whole tort. How old is he? How big?
It the lump hard? Does it move around like a ball inside a bag or feel like its attached on one side? How long has he had and and has it grown?
He looks skinny too me. More pics would help.
 

zovick

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A vet is going to take a look at it, but till then, I wanted to try gather more info on what it could be. My Sulcata has had it for a few months, and we hoped it was a sting or liquid filled abscess that would go away on its own. But it seems to have gotten bigger, so we scheduled a vet appointment. It doesn't seem to bother him and hasn't affected his eating or sleeping. Doesn't bother him when we touch it either. It's fairly soft, like touching a ripe grape. I've attached a picture.
Looks like an abscess, a blocked salivary gland, or possibly a salivary gland tumor. It could also be a bot fly larva under the skin. None of these are overly serious, and your vet should be able to help you without too much trouble.
 

C_P808

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Can you post a few more pics of the whole tort. How old is he? How big?
It the lump hard? Does it move around like a ball inside a bag or feel like its attached on one side? How long has he had and and has it grown?
He looks skinny too me. More pics would help.
He's around 8 or 9 years old, not 100% sure on his age. Around 100-120lb. Has had the growth for going on 8 months. It just appeared out of nowhere one day and stayed the size of small grape for awhile. Only recently has it looked like it's gotten a little bigger. The growth is soft, and feels pretty stationary, like I can't push it around or anything. I included a few more pictures.

IMG_20210221_112837.jpgIMG_20210221_112912.jpgIMG_20210221_112942.jpg
 

wellington

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Likely a tumor then if it started a while ago and has grown. It likely will need to be removed/surgery or it will get bigger.
 

C_P808

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Likely a tumor then if it started a while ago and has grown. It likely will need to be removed/surgery or it will get bigger.
Can a tumor appear overnight? We just woke up one day and it was there. And just remained that same size for months. I hope it's not a tumor, but will prepare myself for that possibility.
 

C_P808

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Believe what Yvonne just told you. Don't worry and get all anxious about speculation. He's look real good btw. Y says cyst I say abscess. Where do you live?
Hawaii. So he lives outside full time. He has dug out a small tunnel in our back yard that he sleeps in at night/takes shelter in during the rainy days.
 

wellington

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Seeing neither one of us is there to feel it, it doesn't really matter what our guesses are. It still needs to go too a vet and something will have to be done to it. So keep the appointment you have.
I would have no idea what either procedure would cost. One will he cheaper then the other so hopefully Yvonne is correct as that's the cheaper one. However going on for 8 months, prepare for the other one.
 

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