Scaly lump on head

[MissTort]

Hi everyone,
Has anyone ever seen anything like this? Flo is a 12 year old Hermann Tortoise. We noticed last week that she had a scaly growth on the side of her head, which appears to be getting bigger. It is hard to touch and she appears to not be in any pain. She is still moving and basking as usual but we are a little worried about how much she is eating and have noticed she is losing weight.
Any advice appreciated.

 

[Yvonne G]

That looks like it might be able to be picked off. Have you tried to remove it?

 

[zolasmum]

Hello and welcome from Devon. Sometimes a tortoise only partially sheds scales and dead skin, and gradually it forms a lump, which gets bigger over time. I suggest you give Flo a good soak in warm water up to her middle, tipping water over her head and splashing her chin - that may soften it up a bit - then take a wet Q-tip or similar, and prod gently , seeing if anything moves or breaks off. Wet a paper towel and drape it round her neck,leaving it for a while, and then try prodding again.
At least you may be able to tell what it is then a bit better, even if it doesn't move.
Good luck from Angie

 

[Sarah2020]

Hello, The tortoise looks very dry. Are you soaking in warm shallow water in a high sided container? This helps them shed scales, hydrate and release waste. Thus may help release the lump. You can also apply coconut oli to get shell to help moisturise. Check diet has calcium for strong, shell, claw , bone and beak growth.