Help please fto he has a bump on his cheek idk what to do

Nattt12322

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
Thank you for stopping and reading i came home after work and my baby Sulcata has this huge bump on his cheek idk what it could be!!!
And im worried because he’s recently also broken a couple nails ? please help!!
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 63

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Is it just the one side and does he have any on his neck?
I'll tag some people who know about tort health problems to help @mastershake, @zovick, @ZenHerper
It could be contagious so make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after contact.
 
Last edited:

Nattt12322

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
Is it just the one side and does he have any on his neck?
I'll tag some people who know about tort health problems to help @mastershake, @zovick, @ZenHerper
It could be contagious so make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after contact.
Thank you so much! Ill wash up right now he doesn’t have any right now however i took this picture earlier this month and when i took him back to his breeder she informed me he needed more heat so i upped his wattage and put Neosporin on him which initially it worked but now this happens and im so worried
 

Attachments

  • ECD22D15-5A28-4AA9-AA15-D906B7719F0C.jpeg
    ECD22D15-5A28-4AA9-AA15-D906B7719F0C.jpeg
    926.7 KB · Views: 41

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Thank you so much! Ill wash up right now he doesn’t have any right now however i took this picture earlier this month and when i took him back to his breeder she informed me he needed more heat so i upped his wattage and put Neosporin on him which initially it worked but now this happens and im so worried
I hope the members I've tagged can hep you identify what it is. I wouldn't use neosporin on it until you know what it is for sure.
 

Nattt12322

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
I hope the members I've tagged can hep you identify what it is. I wouldn't use neosporin on it until you know what it is for sure.
Thank you so much! This means alot i love this little guy and my heart cant take anything happening to him we are trying to schedule a vet appointment but with holidays it’s becoming difficult
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Thank you so much! This means alot i love this little guy and my heart cant take anything happening to him we are trying to schedule a vet appointment but with holidays it’s becoming difficult
You may need to get it swabbed by a vet, but wait and see what the more experienced members say.
I hope your little one is OK too.
 

ZenHerper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
2,078
Location (City and/or State)
New Jersey
I'm so sorry to say that this does, unfortunately, look and sound like Austwickia.

@mastershake is also in Florida, so he may be able to help you with diagnostic testing (an entire bump down through all the layers of body tissue must be removed, and not all laboratories are able to identify the bacterium).

To date, no treatments or combinations of treatments have been effective. All infected animals die eventually as the bacteria gets into the internal organs as well.

If you have other reptiles, they are at risk of infection as well since this bacteria spreads very easily and is not confined to Sulcata tortoises. It is 100% deadly to other reptiles that contract it.

Bleach does not kill this bacteria. You need an ammonia-based cleaner for surfaces and dishes.

Can you say who sold you this hatchling?
 

Nattt12322

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
I'm so sorry to say that this does, unfortunately, look and sound like Austwickia.

@mastershake is also in Florida, so he may be able to help you with diagnostic testing (an entire bump down through all the layers of body tissue must be removed, and not all laboratories are able to identify the bacterium).

To date, no treatments or combinations of treatments have been effective. All infected animals die eventually as the bacteria gets into the internal organs as well.

If you have other reptiles, they are at risk of infection as well since this bacteria spreads very easily and is not confined to Sulcata tortoises. It is 100% deadly to other reptiles that contract it.

Bleach does not kill this bacteria. You need an ammonia-based cleaner for surfaces and dishes.

Can you say who sold you this hatchling?
Yea i got him at family reptile in south lakeland florida ill get home ans try to clean his enclosure up and see what the vet tells me thank you i pray and hope this isn’t the issue if you need more information on where i got him i can send in more
 

Nattt12322

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
I'm so sorry to say that this does, unfortunately, look and sound like Austwickia.

@mastershake is also in Florida, so he may be able to help you with diagnostic testing (an entire bump down through all the layers of body tissue must be removed, and not all laboratories are able to identify the bacterium).

To date, no treatments or combinations of treatments have been effective. All infected animals die eventually as the bacteria gets into the internal organs as well.

If you have other reptiles, they are at risk of infection as well since this bacteria spreads very easily and is not confined to Sulcata tortoises. It is 100% deadly to other reptiles that contract it.

Bleach does not kill this bacteria. You need an ammonia-based cleaner for surfaces and dishes.

Can you say who sold you this hatchling?
I just i have another question what could be the cause of something like that happen so i can prevent this ever happening if its not it
 

ZenHerper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
2,078
Location (City and/or State)
New Jersey
I just i have another question what could be the cause of something like that happen so i can prevent this ever happening if its not it
I'm not quite sure what you're asking.

But the most likely source of any type infection on a newly-obtained hatchling is the breeder's or seller's facility where the animals are exposed to the infective agent shortly after hatching.

Especially if you bought all of your habitat and care equipment in New condition.

Again, the photos and your description are consistent with Austwickia. The bacteria has been spreading primarily in captive Sulcata breeding facilities for the past few years where, IMO, Denial is preventing those breeders from quarantining new animals, culling infected animals, and sanitizing their facilities, while not telling prospective customers about the situation or risk. As long as they can sell hatchlings before symptoms appear, and only offer short health warranty periods, they can claim that they are not the source of the problem.
 

Nattt12322

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
I'm not quite sure what you're asking.

But the most likely source of any type infection on a newly-obtained hatchling is the breeder's or seller's facility where the animals are exposed to the infective agent shortly after hatching.

Especially if you bought all of your habitat and care equipment in New condition.

Again, the photos and your description are consistent with Austwickia. The bacteria has been spreading primarily in captive Sulcata breeding facilities for the past few years where, IMO, Denial is preventing those breeders from quarantining new animals, culling infected animals, and sanitizing their facilities, while not telling prospective customers about the situation or risk. As long as they can sell hatchlings before symptoms appear, and only offer short health warranty periods, they can claim that they are not the source of the problem.
How is this disease prevented im sorry for the wording kinda distraught and i have a gecko and i want to make sure he wont get sick. I will also update you guys once i take him to the vet im praying hes okay
 

ZenHerper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
2,078
Location (City and/or State)
New Jersey
How is this disease prevented im sorry for the wording kinda distraught and i have a gecko and i want to make sure he wont get sick. I will also update you guys once i take him to the vet im praying hes okay
I see.

You need to keep them in separate rooms of the house. The bacteria will spread on surfaces, by contact between animals, and will be carried on your hands (and clothes for a period of time, I'm sure). @mastershake can say if there is any airborne potential.

Don't let the animals walk on the same surfaces (countertop, floor, sink basin, etc.). Keep the Sulcata in it's habitat for the time being.

Do not share dishes or other cage furnishings (even when washed).

Myself, I would wear disposable vinyl gloves when working with the tortoise, pull them off carefully inside-out, put them in a lined trash can outside, and then wash my hands quite thoroughly under running water. I would start the day with the Gecko's care, then move on to the Sulcata, then sanitize around the Sulcata habitat, my hands, etc.. Don't leave unwashed Sulcata plates in the sink (and don't wash Sulcata dishes over your own plates, etc.).

Sanitize surfaces, dishes, and sinks with an ammonia-based cleaner.
 

mastershake

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2018
Messages
585
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
sorry for late reply. this is not airborne BUT if lets say a fly lands on something infected then moves and lands somewhere another one is and carries the bacteria with them it can be spread. if you have handled one then ever handled the other one right after without proper sanitization you may have spread it. this is HIGHLY contagious any surfaces even grass and ground areas should be isolated and either disinfected where at all possible. you need to use ammonia or a fairly strong ammonia quaternary to disinfected anything and everything. so not share ANYTHING and i recc using gloves to handle the one with the bumps if you do. be as safe as possible. sadly those bumps do look to be austwickia from your pics. i can def get you in touch with one of the best labs out there anywhere who is here in fl but as said they will need a deep tissue resection or if they pass can do a necropsy. also toenails dont break with this they actually fall out. most of the time on the back feet. that along with the bumps almost for sure means this is autwickia let me know if you have any questions. ill be at the eye doc most of the day tomm for a minor surgery but i will try to answer as soon as i can

do make sure to tell your vet the specific name austwickia chelonae so they can also be very careful with handling the animal and their facility. this as zen said can affect ALL other species of reptiles
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
I'm so sorry, your tort seems to have that dreadful infection, I was hoping it wasn't. :(
If you read the posts from @mastershake in this Yellow Bumps thread you'll learn more.
I hope your gecko is OK.
 

Jan A

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2021
Messages
1,808
Location (City and/or State)
Boulder, CO
How is this disease prevented im sorry for the wording kinda distraught and i have a gecko and i want to make sure he wont get sick. I will also update you guys once i take him to the vet im praying hes okay
I am so sorry this is happening to you. If you have the time, read thru the other threads. What is common is you, the buyer, did nothing wrong. We have breeders who refuse to take their responsibility to take all due care when notified they are or may be selling sick torts. So it's important you notify who you purchased your tort from that they have sold you a sick & maybe a dying tort. Along with that, you can make a vendor review here on this forum as well.

Again, so sorry this is happening to you.
 

Nattt12322

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
I'm so sorry, your tort seems to have that dreadful infection, I was hoping it wasn't. :(
If you read the posts from @mastershake in this Yellow Bumps thread you'll learn more.
I hope your gecko is OK.
@Lyn W @mastershake @ZenHerper @Jan A Thank you guys so much for the concern and im so sorry for the late reply I contacted Family Reptile (the place i got him) and they assured me it wasn’t the disease they gave me options for a refund, a swap out, or for them to take him to the vet for me and we see how to treat it together. So i had them take Baki to the vet and turns out it was just a mouth abscess He is now home with antibiotics after they cared for him for a few days and he seems alot better already just not happy about the meds im so happy and thank for for the shop i went to my tortoise will be living a long happy life :) thank you guys so much for the help
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 23

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
@Lyn W @mastershake @ZenHerper @Jan A Thank you guys so much for the concern and im so sorry for the late reply I contacted Family Reptile (the place i got him) and they assured me it wasn’t the disease they gave me options for a refund, a swap out, or for them to take him to the vet for me and we see how to treat it together. So i had them take Baki to the vet and turns out it was just a mouth abscess He is now home with antibiotics after they cared for him for a few days and he seems alot better already just not happy about the meds im so happy and thank for for the shop i went to my tortoise will be living a long happy life :) thank you guys so much for the help
I'm very relieved for you :) but also a little surprised since the symptoms seemed to fit with austwickia chelonae. But I assume the vet swabbed and tested the bumps. What did he say about the claws falling out?
I would still be very cautious when handling him, keep up with high levels of cleanliness and separate him away from other reptiles for a while just to be on the safe side and keep a close eye on him to make sure the bumps don't surface anywhere else.
Hopefully though all will be well, and I wish you and your baby a very Happy and healthy 2022!
 
Last edited:

mastershake

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2018
Messages
585
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
i would be very careful. most vets have no experience with austwickia. if you saw bumps anywhere other then the mouth and toenails falling out like that there is still a chance its still the bacteria. i would still keep them 100% quarantined for now being very honest. if it was only the one bump you may be in the clear but to keep the others safe i would be very careful for a few months handling wise. pet stores have NO idea what austwickia does and most dont care one bit. just be cautious is all
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,391
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Yeah, I don 't trust that opinion either. I'll bet the vet didn't even look up info about Austwickia. And if he never heard of it, and didn't jump out at him in his testing, it doesn't exist
 

New Posts

Top