Slit next to jaw?

[Mllx_yy]

So I noticed a like scab on his face thinking it was shedding skin while I was soaking him I used a q-tip to see if I could help get it off and it slid right off and I realised it was a scab a week goes by and I see him struggling to open his jaw when he’s about to eat like it’s hurting him, I check his mouth today and he was a massive slit from the corner of his mouth. I assume everytime he eats the scab re opens causing it to not heal. He’s been sleeping more than usual, I’ve made a vet appointment for him is this the best thing to do or is there a way I can help him I’ll attach some photos! Thank you
He has scabbed up for now but in the morning once he eats it will re open is the vets the best thing for him!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Maybe @Yvonne G or @zovick can help you?

 

[COmtnLady]

Could you also provide pictures of his feet, legs, and maybe a couple different angles of his head (even the other side, top looking down, bottom/plastron side), please. Do you have any ideas as to how the injury happened? Can you see any other dents in the shell or soft tissue damage anywhere?

 

[Mllx_yy]

Could you also provide pictures of his feet, legs, and maybe a couple different angles of his head (even the other side, top looking down, bottom/plastron side), please. Do you have any ideas as to how the injury happened? Can you see any other dents in the shell or soft tissue damage anywhere?

Yes I will do now, I have no idea how he got it, his shell looks perfectly fine. I’ll upload the photos now thank you!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Is that calcium powder on the bottom of the shell? Does it wash off?

 

[COmtnLady]

Thanks for the additional pictures. They do help, but let's tag some of the more experienced members. I don't know why this is happening.
@Yvonne G , @Tom , @ZEROPILOT



If you get as far as going to a vet, don't allow them to do any vitamin shots. It doesn't help the tortoise and can do harm.

 

[Mllx_yy]

Is that calcium powder on the bottom of the shell? Does it wash off?

Yes, I gave him a soak and it came off

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Yes, I gave him a soak and it came off

Just checking, no problem then.

 

[Mllx_yy]

Thanks for the additional pictures. They do help, but let's tag some of the more experienced members. I don't know why this is happening.
@Yvonne G , @Tom , @ZEROPILOT



If you get as far as going to a vet, don't allow them to do any vitamin shots. It doesn't help the tortoise and can do harm.

Thank you! I’ll make sure there’s no shots

 

[Mllx_yy]

Just checking, no problem then.

Is it bad if there shell is white? Is it like shell rot?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Is it bad if there shell is white? Is it like shell rot?

A fungal infection is possible yes, but rare in Russian tortoises. This is totally unrelated to the scab, but your tortoise seems to have some mild pyramiding in the photos.

 

[COmtnLady]

Is there anywhere in the enclosure where he might have gotten his jaw cut/damaged from biting on a rock or hunk of wood or something?

 

[TammyJ]

I hope we can get this resolved.
How often and for how long do you soak him?
What does he regularly eat?

 

[Mllx_yy]

A fungal infection is possible yes, but rare in Russian tortoises. This is totally unrelated to the scab, but your tortoise seems to have some mild pyramiding in the photos.

What causes pyramiding?

 

[Mllx_yy]

Is there anywhere in the enclosure where he might have gotten his jaw cut/damaged from biting on a rock or hunk of wood or something?

He does have a lot of wood in there and I do see him try and eat it sometimes that could possibly been it

 

[Mllx_yy]

I hope we can get this resolved.
How often and for how long do you soak him?
What does he regularly eat?

I usually soak him for 10–20mins or until the water is cold, he regularly gets lambs lettuce, kale, rocket, watercress then I’ll mix it around and add red lettuce, spring greens, romain, courgette, cucumber. In the summer/now im growing more suitable foods for him that i cant find in the store.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What causes pyramiding?

Two of the most common causes are low humidity and wrong kind of lighting.

 

[Tom]

I understand what you are describing, but I don't see it in the pictures. A good tortoise vet might be able to use some surgical glue to hold the area together and buy it time to heal.

 

[zovick]

I agree with Tom's opinion above. If you can't find a good vet to treat it as he suggests, then it is probably best to just leave it be and hope it will heal on its own over time.

 

[Mllx_yy]

I understand what you are describing, but I don't see it in the pictures. A good tortoise vet might be able to use some surgical glue to hold the area together and buy it time to heal.

idk what I’ve done here sorry but I will get a better photo for you now since he has eaten and it has reopened. Here his mouth is open can you see the area? The other photo is his good side, I feel like the open mouth may help more!