lump inside mouth

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hiya,
our 7 year old beardie has a lump on her right gum. just wondering if anyone can advise as to what it may be? I will be taking her to vet asap but its hard to get a day off college to do so at the moment and as she is eating, running around fine etc I'm not too worried but have read some stories of cancer and don't want to leave it too long! cant seem to get a photo to post but it isn't bleeding or red in any way.
thanks in advance!
 

EllenD

Gray-bearded Member
Hi, I'm sorry that your beardie has a lump in his mouth, it's going to be very difficult to tell you what it is without at least a photo of it, and I know it's hard to get a photo of the inside of their mouths. Even with a photo there is no way to really know what it is, as it could be a lot of different things...

How long has it been there? Did it just pop-up overnight, or did grow and get larger over time?

It could be an abscess caused by a bacterial infection, that's probably the most common cause of mouth growths, but it could also be a cyst or a tumor/mass. Whether or not it's malignant (cancerous) is anyone's guess.

I will tell you that you definitely need to find either a Certified Reptile Vet or a Reptile Specialist with lots of Bearded Dragon experience, and not just an "Exotics" Vet, because I can guarantee you that 99% of the vets you could take him to will open his mouth up, look at the lump, immediately tell you that it's probably an abscess, and they will just put him on an Antibiotic, probably Baytril, and that will be the entire appointment. They won't do any diagnostic testing at all to identify what the lump is, they will just assume it's a bacterial infection. Furthermore, even if it is a bacterial infection, they will automatically put him on a broad-spectrum Antibiotic, like Baytril, without doing any type of culture to determine not only what bacteria is causing the abscess/infection, but to also determine what Antibiotic the specific bacteria will be sensitive to. This is a MAJOR problem with "Exotics" vets, in general they don't have a clue what they're doing, most of them don't even ask you any questions about the Dragon's husbandry or diet. Then after you leave they go into the next exam room and see a parrot or a rabbit. It's a big problem.

Whatever vet you take him to needs to do a Fine-Needle Aspiration and take some fluid and/or cells from the lump, and then send them out to a lab for pathology and/or microbial testing. When they don't bother to do this and instead just put the Dragon on a broad-spectrum Antibiotic, a lot of problems occur...#1 Is that it may not be an abscess at all, it may be a cyst, or worse, it may be a tumor, and so not only will your Dragon be taking an Antibiotic that is totally unnecessary and will probably make him sick, but the actual problem won't be getting treatment, and then #2) If it is an abscess caused by a bacterial infection, without identifying what bacteria is causing the infection it's quite possible that the Antibiotic they give him is the wrong one and won't help, then not only will the abscess/infection keep spreading and get worse and worse, but your dragon will then have to take at least another round of Antibiotics, hopefully the proper Antibiotic, but even after a month with it not getting any better, many Vets still won't take a culture, they'll either put him on another round of the same Antibiotic, or they'll "try" another broad-spectrum Antibiotic, and maybe it won't be right either, and it keeps getting worse, etc. And the entire time all of these antibiotics are making your Dragon very sick, he's lost his appetite, he has no energy, etc. It's a vicious cycle that is very, very common.

If you can get a photo of the lump to post you certainly can do so for us to take a look at, but I recommend that you do a search for an experienced Reptile Specialist, actually we can help you find one if you give us your town/city, and when you take him for the appointment you insist on the vet doing a Needle Aspiration/Culture to be sent out to a lab for testing to get a definitive diagnosis, and do not allow the vet to put him on any medications at all until they get the results of the culture back. And stand your ground on that, a lot of vets will tell you it's unnecessary, let's just put him on the Baytril and "See what happens", etc. Just say no, it's your right as his owner.

In the meantime, you could buy some MaxiGuard Gel to put on/around the lump, it's an oral antiseptic/antimicrobial that may help it a bit until you can get him to a Reptile Specialist.
 

DesertandKami

Member
Original Poster
Hi thank you for all of that information I really appreciate it!
I’m away Monday to Thursday at college so my mum looks after them, she hasn’t noticed it all week and it certainly wasn’t there when I health checked kami before leaving on Sunday so pretty much popped up over night.
We are in Glasgow, Scotland and really struggle to find exotic specialists here never mind bearded dragon or reptile specialists but if you could reccomend any that would be greatly appreciated!
I’ve tried to upload a photo but it isn’t working, I will try again on my computer.
Thanks again!
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

There have been some cases here on the board where the lump in the mouth was cancer,
but most of the times they are either an abscess or some type of cyst.
Could a bug possibly have bitten her?
As suggested, a vet visit would be a good idea & hopefully you can find a reptile specialist
too so they actually have training.
For now, you can get some raw, unpasteurized honey to put on that area to see if that helps
out. It doesn't seem to bother her then & she is still eating?

Letl us know how she is doing. I hope you can get some pictures uploaded.

Tracie
 

DesertandKami

Member
Original Poster
Hi,
We are booking her into a vets that does exotics but has a lot of experience with bearded dragons eventhough they aren’t a reptile specialist as such.
She is still eating perfectly fine and looks amazingly healthy at the moment. She’s shedding and it’s been a really healthy shed so I have no other health concerns other than this lump which makes me think it’s possibly just a cyst or abscess.
I’ll keep trying with the photos!
Thank you again.
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

That is excellent she doesn't show any signs of illness, etc. Since she is eating & active, then
hopefully it is just a cyst & not an abscess. Maybe an insect bit her possibly?
Definitely let us know how she is doing & how the vet visit turns out also. At least her shed is
going well too!
Be sure that they don't dump medications down her for no diagnosis & no reason.

Tracie
 

EllenD

Gray-bearded Member
Drache613":17taqa1z said:
Hello,

That is excellent she doesn't show any signs of illness, etc. Since she is eating & active, then
hopefully it is just a cyst & not an abscess. Maybe an insect bit her possibly?
Definitely let us know how she is doing & how the vet visit turns out also. At least her shed is
going well too!
Be sure that they don't dump medications down her for no diagnosis & no reason.

Tracie


I'll second this, DO NOT allow them to medicate her without doing a needle aspiration/Culture to positively identify not only what it is, but if it is an abscess due to infection, exactly what bacteria is causing it. Do not give her ANY meds until the lab results from the cultures come back, which usually should take at least 2-3 days. Do not let the vet just look in her mouth and prescribe an antibiotic, usually it will be Baytril, just say no to this!!!
 

DesertandKami

Member
Original Poster
Thank you I’ll make sure to get tests done first.
How much stress will it cause to do a needle aspiration or culture will they have to sedate her or anything? Just want to make sure I’m prepared.
 

DesertandKami

Member
Original Poster
Just spoke to my mum who said she gave them a treat of moreal worms whilst I was away at college and it seems to be since then that this lump has appeared is it possible one of them has bitten her? If so what is my best course of action in terms of what should I expect the vet to advise and what should I avoid? Thanks again guys!
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

They will likely sedate her yes, in order to aspirate some fluids from that area. Let them get it
cultured before they make any medication recommendations.
Yes, a superworm could have bitten her which may have become irritated & infected.
That's great she is doing so well though, that is a terrific sign!
Let us know how things are going.

Tracie
 
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