Does my Redfoot have a tick?

[Medbil44]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has seen something like this before. She has had it for a few months, I swore it went away, but it's back and in the same spot. Maybe I thought it was gone and just overlooked it, but I don't think so. I let her roam the backyard during the summer and this is when it started. I've never seen a tick before and wonder if this is one or something else. It's right next to her eye.

 

[zovick]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has seen something like this before. She has had it for a few months, I swore it went away, but it's back and in the same spot. Maybe I thought it was gone and just overlooked it, but I don't think so. I let her roam the backyard during the summer and this is when it started. I've never seen a tick before and wonder if this is one or something else. It's right next to her eye.


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It is not a tick. It looks like an abscessed area which is trying to drain. If you saw it previously and it went away, it may have drained on its own but is now not draining by itself and therefore is swelling up again. You could try pricking it with a sterile pin or sewing needle, then pressing out the contents with a cotton swab. If it persists in coming back, you may need to see a vet to have it removed.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

Definitely not a tick. I realize this is a different species, but we should probably ask some of the same questions as for when we see yellow bumps in a baby sulcata. Sometimes those go away on the surface and come back again later.

How long have you had the tortoise?
Where did you get the tortoise from?
When did the bump first show up?
Do you have any other reptiles?
Has your tortoise ever been housed with any other tortoises or reptiles?

@mastershake @Tom @KarenSoCal

 

[Pastel Tortie]

@Medbil44 Do you have a reptile veterinarian?

 

[mastershake]

almost looks like a Pilar cyst in a way

 

[Medbil44]

Definitely not a tick. I realize this is a different species, but we should probably ask some of the same questions as for when we see yellow bumps in a baby sulcata. Sometimes those go away on the surface and come back again later.

How long have you had the tortoise?
Where did you get the tortoise from?
When did the bump first show up?
Do you have any other reptiles?
Has your tortoise ever been housed with any other tortoises or reptiles?

@mastershake @Tom @KarenSoCal

I've had her for about four years. She was 10 when I got her and was living in a very small home, in my daughter's classroom. I took her home a few times during school vacations and she really warmed up to me. The teacher could tell so she gave her to me. I don't have any other reptiles and I don't believe she ever has been housed with them. She was a classroom pet who outgrew the class. The bump showed up maybe in May and was gone by July. I was able to find a picture of her and it wasn't there so I know now that it did go away. It showed up again a couple of weeks ago.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Medbil44]

@Medbil44 Do you have a reptile veterinarian?

No, I do not, I've never had any issues with her until this. I am going to look for one soon. She's not having any other issues just this spot and it doesn't seem to bother her. Even when I've touched it.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

No, I do not, I've never had any issues with her until this. I am going to look for one soon. She's not having any other issues just this spot and it doesn't seem to bother her. Even when I've touched it.

Depending on where you're located, we may have some forum members who can recommend a reptile veterinarian.

Otherwise, you might want to visit the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) website and use their Find A Vet feature (green button at the top).

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