Bumps on neck and under head

[mr.woozy]

Hi all, new to this forum. Hoping to get some opinions on whether I should be concerned. Next vet appt availability is in Dec, will go to urgent cart if needed. Just noticed these bumps on my tortoises neck. It's a cluster on top of neck as well as a cluster underneath and some on his back leg. He is allowed out in the yard when weather permits and is brought inside at night. When inside his enclosure he does try to climb the sides so I'm hoping these are scabs from his shell?? Any advice is appreciated, getting concerned.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
No, they don't look like scabs. More like tick/insect bites with bacterial infection. You do one-time application of Betadine or chlorhexidine and then treat them with triple-antibiotic ointment (e.g. Neosporin).

If you see these spots growing, swelling, having discharge try to get urgent vet appointment. Pay special attention if new spots appear and/or new symptoms like shedding skin/scales, losing toenails etc.

I will tag some experienced members too - maybe they can better tell what is it. @zovick @Yvonne G

 

[TammyJ]

Looks like parasite eggs of some kind, maybe ?

 

[mr.woozy]

Hello!
No, they don't look like scabs. More like tick/insect bites with bacterial infection. You do one-time application of Betadine or chlorhexidine and then treat them with triple-antibiotic ointment (e.g. Neosporin).

If you see these spots growing, swelling, having discharge try to get urgent vet appointment. Pay special attention if new spots appear and/or new symptoms like shedding skin/scales, losing toenails etc.

I will tag some experienced members too - maybe they can better tell what is it. @zovick @Yvonne G

Thank you! Will definitely give that a try while keeping a close eye! Would you recommend applying betadine and then a neosporin on top or should I wait a day in between to apply the neosporin.

 

[mr.woozy]

Looks like parasite eggs of some kind, maybe ?

Oh, no! I hope not. Only difference in care in his 15 years with me is a new backyard! Hope to continue to allow him out but not at the price of this! Not sure how this could have happened.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Would you mind if I ask a bit about his indoor set up? Might help members point anything out that might be off

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking ie overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
What kind of substrate? How’s humidity reading/how do you maintain it?
What sized set up?

If you’re willing to share more, a photo of the full enclosure would be wonderful! Welcome to the forum

 

[zovick]

Hi all, new to this forum. Hoping to get some opinions on whether I should be concerned. Next vet appt availability is in Dec, will go to urgent cart if needed. Just noticed these bumps on my tortoises neck. It's a cluster on top of neck as well as a cluster underneath and some on his back leg. He is allowed out in the yard when weather permits and is brought inside at night. When inside his enclosure he does try to climb the sides so I'm hoping these are scabs from his shell?? Any advice is appreciated, getting concerned. View attachment 382582View attachment 382583

Have any other spots shown up so far or is it just those two in the photos? Has your tortoise lost any toenails? Those spots and random lost toenails could be manifestations of Austwickia chelonae which would not be good.

 

[Ink]

Have any other spots shown up so far or is it just those two in the photos? Has your tortoise lost any toenails? Those spots and random lost toenails could be manifestations of Austwickia chelonae which would not be good.

Can Austwickia appear after the owner having the tortoise for 15 years? Just curious

 

[zovick]

Can Austwickia appear after the owner having the tortoise for 15 years? Just curious

Yes, I believe that is possible if the tortoise was somehow exposed to the bacteria and had no immunity to it. Or maybe it is like Mycoplasma and can be dormant in the animal for some time and then later become symptomatic.

 

[Ink]

Yes, I believe that is possible if the tortoise was somehow exposed to the bacteria and had no immunity to it. Or maybe it is like Mycoplasma and can be dormant in the animal for some time and then later become symptomatic.

Thank you I had no idea.

 

[zovick]

Thank you I had no idea.

Another point to consider in this case is that stress sometimes causes these dormant situations to become symptomatic. The tortoise may have been stressed by moving to a new location. In Post #5 the OP mentions the only change in the animal's care "is a new backyard".

Not sure if the new backyard reference means the OP moved the tortoise and its enclosure to a new house, but such a move or change could have caused stress in the animal which might have caused the eruptions in the photos if they are indeed Austwickia.

 

[TammyJ]

The word "cluster" used by the OP made me think of eggs.

 

[mr.woozy]

Another point to consider in this case is that stress sometimes causes these dormant situations to become symptomatic. The tortoise may have been stressed by moving to a new location. In Post #5 the OP mentions the only change in the animal's care "is a new backyard".

Not sure if the new backyard reference means the OP moved the tortoise and its enclosure to a new house, but such a move or change could have caused stress in the animal which might have caused the eruptions in the photos if they are indeed Austwickia.

Thank you for your response. We did move to a new house. I'll research austwickia further.

 

[mr.woozy]

Would you mind if I ask a bit about his indoor set up? Might help members point anything out that might be off

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking ie overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
What kind of substrate? How’s humidity reading/how do you maintain it?
What sized set up?

If you’re willing to share more, a photo of the full enclosure would be wonderful! Welcome to the forum

Have any other spots shown up so far or is it just those two in the photos? Has your tortoise lost any toenails? Those spots and random lost toenails could be manifestations of Austwickia chelonae which would not be good.

No lost toe nails but there a a few other bumps on his back leg

 

[Ink]

Can you post pictures? @zovick