What is this?!

[TebowHammer]

Don't have a lot of time to write...but take a look at these pics of Tebow.

What is the growth on him? Thought it was just a Sulcata trait, but after looking at other photos of baby Sulcatas, it looks like it's not.

Post a little more about it in a bit.

Thanks!






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[coreyc]

Looks like a abcess

 

[Seiryu]

Looks like an ear infection to me.

 

[onarock]

Don't worry about it... sulcatas are bulletproof.

 

[Jacqui]

Don't worry about it... sulcatas are bulletproof.

Paul, I totally understand sarcasm and do understand exactly why your saying this, BUT this thread really is not the place for it.

 

[onarock]

Your right My apologies. Good luck with your tortoise TebowHammer

 

[TebowHammer]

Thanks so far for all of the replies...

And Paul, I do appreciate the apology. This is no laughing matter to me. This is a member of my family...a member I am VERY worried about.

Please keep the advice rolling in.

I'm still waiting for the MVB bulb to come in. I just put a CHE in the cage, making the whole pen range in temperature from 75 to 80 on the cool side.

I am also spraying the substrate about 3-4 times a day to help keep the humidity up. I also have a humid hide box setup for him. The temp under the basking light is 100.

Tebow is still lethargic and his eyes are still only opening when you soak him. Terramycin is on the way and I'll start applying it as soon as I get it.

Tebow's still not eating either. Should I start incorporating some vitamins and calcium? And if so, what is the best way to do it with him not eating?

I know he has to have something in his system. At least some kind of nutrients. What do you recommend as sources for these nutrients, vitamins, and calcium?

 

[Fernando]

And Paul, I do appreciate the apology. This is no laughing matter to me. This is a member of my family...a member I am VERY worried about.

I don't think that was intended for you personally, it was in regards to another thread posted yesterday I believe.

Good luck with that I hope you get some answers cause that will be helpful to a lot of people if that ever happens.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

I noticed that his eyes were closed, are they closed a lot of the time? Has his eating habits changed? When did you first notice this? Has the swelling grown or shrunk? Are you soaking him? Does he seem to be in pain? I am sorry i have no answers only questions. It definitely seems like an infection to me (just an at home mom with no medical or animal training at all). Best of luck and keep us posted!

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I noticed that his eyes were closed, are they closed a lot of the time? Has his eating habits changed? When did you first notice this? Has the swelling grown or shrunk? Are you soaking him? Does he seem to be in pain? I am sorry i have no answers only questions. It definitely seems like an infection to me (just an at home mom with no medical or animal training at all). Best of luck and keep us posted!

Oh never mind you answered most of my questions, sorry I missed that.

 

[TebowHammer]

Hi Erin,

Just to answer your questions I haven't already answered...

No, his eating habits haven't changed. He hasn't eaten a lot since I first got him - 12 days ago.

I noticed it from the start - but at the time I thought it might have been standard with sulcatas. Didn't know anything about them, except for generalities, at the time.

The swelling has been the same size from the very beginning.

No - he doesn't seem to be in pain.

Thanks for the questions. Hopefully, the answers can help someone else draw a conclusion on what it could be.

And thanks to you and Fernando for your support.

 

[zzzdanz]

Looks like infected submandibular glands...Hard to tell from those pics but it looks to low to be an ear abscess.

 

[Kristina]

The growths coupled with the lethargy and unwillingness to open his eyes means one thing - get him to a veterinarian.

I agree it is most likely a localized infection, too low to me in the ear, but if his demeanor and activity level are changing, that means the infection could be turning systemic.

This is beyond our or your scope to treat.

 

[Jacqui]

Looks like infected submandibular glands...Hard to tell from those pics but it looks to low to be an ear abscess.

That was my thought too. Vet time without a doubt.

 

[Az tortoise compound]

Definitely needs a vet and some meds. I agree, it looks like a bad infection. Changing temps and lights won't help at this point.

 

[Robert]

TebowHammer:

Do you have a vet in your area that treats reptiles? There is a list and folks on here who can help you find one ASAP. Where are you located and are you willing to take him/her to the vet?

I recommend writing down everything about Tebow since you go him: diet, bowel movements, activity levels, soaking schedule, level of activity etc. Also bring a picture of your enclosure and a record of your temps. All of this info will help your vet to get Tebow the help he needs asap.

Good luck. You definitely have my support!

 

[TebowHammer]

That's what I was afraid of.

Yes, I'm willing to take him to the vet...most definitely.

I live in Albany, GA and I don't know of any reptile vets in the area. Could someone please help me locate one?

Thanks,

Tyler

 

[Robert]

 
I dont know Georgia. Does this help? (I live in a small state!)
 

Georgia

 

Acworth

 

Karen Oertley-Pihera, DVM
Sam Rivera, DVM
Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital
6460 Highway 92, Suite 100
Acworth, GA 30102
Tel: (770) 926-5311
Fax: (770) 926-7796
 

Athens

 

Maxwell R. Sidner, DVM
Animal Medical Clinic
6300 Jefferson Road
Athens, GA 30607-1711
Tel: (706) 548-4486
 

Bowden

 

Matt McCord, DVM
Bowdon Animal Clinic
1306 South Highway 100
Bowdon, GA 30108
Tel: (770) 258-3256
 

Danville

 

Hall Animal Clinic
5550 Old Macon Road
Danville, GA 31017
Tel: (912) 962-3415

 

Dawsonville

 

Ray Habermann, DVM
Foothills Veterinary Clinic
375 Auraria Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
Tel: (706) 216-1356
 

Decatur

 

Jason Hutcheson, DVM
Mimi Shepherd, DVM
For Pets Sake
3761 North Druid Hills Road
Decatur, GA 30033
Tel404) 248-8977
Fax404) 248-0426
 

Dunwoody

 

Dr. Michael Akins
All Creatures Animal Hospital
2482-C Mt. Vernon Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Tel: (770) 393-3400
 

Lawrenceville

 

Donald Delong, DVM
Jennifer Sandy, DVM
Avalon Animal Hospital
2585 Cruse Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Tel: (770) 822-5551

 

Marietta

 

Brad Wilson,DVM
Veterinary Clinic West
763 Whitlock Avenue SW
Marietta, GA 30064
Tel: (770) 424-5484
 

Morrow

 

Alan P. Rutter, DVM
Lake Harbin Animal Hospital
2056 Lake Harbin Road
Morrow, GA 30260
Tel: (770) 961-5036
 

Moultrie

 

April & Marty Mathis, DVM(s)
Live Oak Veterinary Associates
3283 East Bypass Southeast
Moultrie, GA 31788
Tel: (229) 985-7377
 

Norcross

 

Karen Colson, DVM
Medlock Bridge Animal Hospital
5155 South Old Peachtree Road
Norcross, GA 30092
Tel: (770) 242-9272
Tel: (770) 447-0290
Fax: (770) 242-9102
 

Savannah

 

Richard Bink, DVM
Central Animal Hospital
2357 Ogeechee Road
Savannah, GA 31415
Tel: (912) 234-5931
Tel: (912) 234-5931

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Good luck Tyler. Remember, the more prepared you can be going into the vet visit, the better it will be for everyone, especially Tebow.

Also, I recommend bringing a pad and paper. (I know this sounds silly and juvenile.). It will be a stressful situation taking him to the vet and a lot will be going on. Take notes on what your vet recommends. It will help when you get back home and need to process everything.

 

[onarock]

Good advice Rob. Wish I would have done that a couple times myself

 

[Marty333]

Don't let the vet do any vitamin injections!!!

 

[Yvonne G]

I think the swellings are too low to be ear abscesses. But I'm pretty sure you have a sick little tortoise. Keep him warm and do the warm soaks often. You might get them to rupture on their own with warm soaks. But he'll still need antibiotics, so call around and find a vet that knows tortoises.