Balrog has a mass in her mouth

[isabelleandpaul]

Yesterday I noticed something red hanging from the top of Balrog's mouth when she opened her mouth, it didn't look good, as if part of her gum and palate (?) had swollen a lot. I call the vet this morning and got an appointment this afternoon. Balrog seems like a healthy 2 year old female, she's active, eats well even with the mass, poops well... no signs of illness. She weighs 710 g and measures 52 cm.
The vet examined her and said the mass is large, and could be inflammation/infection or a tumor. Only a biopsy could tell. Now I am worried. I expected her to tell me it's nothing more than a small infection, but it seems it could be more serious. I scheduled the biopsy for tomorrow, its under anesthesia. I am worried about that too, but I want to do what's best for Balrog. We should get the biopsy results in 5-6 days. In the meantime, the vet gave me Baytril to treat the infection, if that's what it is, but she said it can take many months of antibiotics to heal completely.
Has anyone been in a similar situation?
The vet said that Balrog is in pain (I asked) and there is not much we can do about it. I feel terrible, if I had not been around when she opened her mouth at that specific time yesterday, I would not have known, and I don't know how long the mass has been there.
I hope for the best, I'll keep you posted.

 

[Beardednoob]

Definitely let us know about her mouth, please.. also 710g? at 20 inches? :shock:

 

[PudgysMom]

WOW your baby weights a lot! I don't mean that in a mean way. Pudgy is the same length now and weighs 370g (mind you she is sick, so she's lost weight, but 710!).

Pudgy is also ill right now. We are awaiting blood test results to arrive tomorrow or Friday. I am beside myself. I know what you are going through and I will think very positive thoughts for you and Balrog.

 

[mellu]

My big guy fluctuates around 700, usually a little under and he's about 22 inches, he's definitely not over weight, he has the perfect sized belly/arms/legs/beard, the only "chubby" part of him is his tail!

 

[isabelleandpaul]

I know she's on the large side. But she looks healthy. The vet even said that her muscular structure is still intact even with her illness, then I asked if it wasn't really fat... and she said laughing it's probably a mixture of both muscle and fat! But she's not overweight.

We did the biopsy yesterday afternoon, it went well but she spent the rest of the day mostly asleep from the anesthesia. I hope today she will be more active.

I asked about the mass, the technician said it was the same colour as her gum and palate, no bad colouring or pus. It seemed filled with a jelly-like substance. It was just over half a cm in diameter. They removed about half of it, with minimal bleeding. We should get the results early next week.

Until then I will keep giving her antibiotic and caring for her as usual...

 

[MissT]

Im glad the biopsy procedure went well and hope the results reveal something minor.

In terms of her weight and length - my male is 19 inches and fluctuates around 700g - vet said he is one of the healthiest looking beardies he has ever seen. My female is 18inches and again fluctuates around the 700g mark - she doesnt carry the weight very well and has quite a pudgy belly but the vet says she is healthy and its nothing to be concerned about!

 

[PudgysMom]

WOW that is awesome!! Pudgy isn't so pudgy after all!

I am glad the procedure went well. I will keep positive thoughts for the best possible outcome!

 

[isabelleandpaul]

We're still waiting for the biospy results, yesterday the vet clinic called to ask how Balrog is doing, but the results were not in yet.
Over the weekend she seemed fine, she was very active, much more than our other dragon who's about to shed massively! She ate well. But she had some fluid coming out of one nostril, only a little bit, enough to bubble... That was strange. It lasted two days, and it seems over, but I'll discuss that with the vet next time.
But for the past two days she has not eaten anything. The last time she ate, she opened her mouth wide afterwards, as if she was in pain... Needless to say I have not been able to give her Baytril since then...
So again I wait for the results, and hope she will eat today (she hasn't this morning).

Anyone has suggestions on how to give liquid meds (Baytril)? She won't open her mouth and goes into hiding if she sees the dropper...I poured it on her superworms, but now she won't eat them...

 

[MissT]

Anyone has suggestions on how to give liquid meds (Baytril)? She won't open her mouth and goes into hiding if she sees the dropper...I poured it on her superworms, but now she won't eat them...

I mix with a little water - roughly an equal amount to the meds, pull down the side of his mouth and squirt a tiny drop in - he eventually licks and then I can get the syringe right in there and its done!

 

[isabelleandpaul]

Thanks I will give this a try. I tried with only the meds and I think the smell is too strong and she would not be fooled... Maybe with water it will be easier.

 

[MissT]

I was using the injectable form orally at one point - its gross, absolutely stinks! Plus its all oily! Thats when I learned that as long as its about half meds/half water, Kazi is happy enough to take it!

 

[isabelleandpaul]

I guess that's the one I have. It's oily enough to coat and stick on the worms... but it sure stinks!

 

[MissT]

Hehe.... it does NOT taste good - Kazi shook his head the first time I ever gave him it and it ended up in my mouth!

 

[Kalyn876]

hehehehe thats hilarious that Kazi medicated you! I tasted the baytril on my own accord just to see why my baby was sooo against it however it was the oral type. I wish you good luck with the med feeding

 

[MissT]

hehehehe thats hilarious that Kazi medicated you! I tasted the baytril on my own accord just to see why my baby was sooo against it however it was the oral type. I wish you good luck with the med feeding

iv had just about every med/ supplement in my mouth at some point!