Lump on hand

[Gcapriotti7]

Hello my 4yo bearded dragon has a lump on his hand, I'm concerned about it possibly being cancer. The lump is firm, but not bony. He has no noticeable adverse reaction to touching it or gently pressing on it. There is no scale discoloration around it nor does he seem bothered by it day to day, the hand is fully mobile and he uses it. Excrement and urates look normal no noticeable change in weight.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello my 4yo bearded dragon has a lump on his hand, I'm concerned about it possibly being cancer. The lump is firm, but not bony. He has no noticeable adverse reaction to touching it or gently pressing on it. There is no scale discoloration around it nor does he seem bothered by it day to day, the hand is fully mobile and he uses it. Excrement and urates look normal no noticeable change in weight. View attachment 75698

It does look swollen - gonna have someone else take a look at it --
@AHBD

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Did this bump crop up quickly or slowly, or
are you not sure?
Since he is mobile that is a good sign. It
doesn't look infected either. That is good it
doesn't seem to hurt him.
Are there any other areas on him that have
swollen areass?
He could have gotten an insect bite possibly
but it isn't infected so a possible injury.
Just keep him from having to climb too much
right now, to help the area out in case it's some type of injury. Let us know how he is
doing.

Tracie

 

[Gcapriotti7]

Hello,

Did this bump crop up quickly or slowly, or
are you not sure?
Since he is mobile that is a good sign. It
doesn't look infected either. That is good it
doesn't seem to hurt him.
Are there any other areas on him that have
swollen areass?
He could have gotten an insect bite possibly
but it isn't infected so a possible injury.
Just keep him from having to climb too much
right now, to help the area out in case it's some type of injury. Let us know how he is
doing.

Tracie

Not sure 100% but it's been within the past month because I remember he had a stuck shed on that hand before and at that time there was no lump(shed did come off). No swollen areas anywhere else.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is possible there could be some type of inflammation there if you noticed some stuck shed on
his hand previously. How is it looking today?
If there aren't other areas that are swollen, hopefully it is just local & no gout is developing. Let us
know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[Gcapriotti7]

Hello,

That is possible there could be some type of inflammation there if you noticed some stuck shed on
his hand previously. How is it looking today?
If there aren't other areas that are swollen, hopefully it is just local & no gout is developing. Let us
know how he is doing.

Tracie

It looks exactly the same as before. No increase or decrease in size or firmness, and no spreading. I did check the digits today and the one closest to it is somewhat stiff, but there's no external reason I can see for it to be that way, so maybe he injured that one, not sure 100% considering taking him for x-rays.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

When are you getting him to the vet for x-rays?
Very strange, it is possible he did injure it somehow. I'm glad that there hasn't been any changes
in size of the area thus far. Can he use it normally too?

Let us know how things go at the vets.
Tracie

 

[Gcapriotti7]

Hello,

When are you getting him to the vet for x-rays?
Very strange, it is possible he did injure it somehow. I'm glad that there hasn't been any changes
in size of the area thus far. Can he use it normally too?

Let us know how things go at the vets.
Tracie

I don't know they're all booked fke the next 4 weeks. I'm really worried. It's still the same size and he seems unfazed

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It isn't getting larger though right now? That is very frustrating when you aren't able to get
an appointment set. The holidays' schedules, etc, definitely don't help out any at all.
Is he still eating normally right now?
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

 

[Gcapriotti7]

Hello,

It isn't getting larger though right now? That is very frustrating when you aren't able to get
an appointment set. The holidays' schedules, etc, definitely don't help out any at all.
Is he still eating normally right now?
Keep us posted on him.

Tracie

Lump is still there and still the same size, he's still very active, eating normally, seems overall normal other than the lump

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh so sorry the lump has not gone down yet! It doesn't seem to bother him which is great to hear.
I am happy to hear he is eating normally.
Does it look like it might shed possibly, or not?
I am wondering if he got bitten or something?

Tracie

 

[Gcapriotti7]

So finally I hear back from the vet, they don't know what it is at all. X-rays say it's not bone but rather that it's dense tissue, it hasn't gone away or grown and they said it could just be a benign growth caused by injury, but are not 100% sure. Nothing abnormal was found in blood work or fecal test.

 

[SkittlesK]

So finally I hear back from the vet, they don't know what it is at all. X-rays say it's not bone but rather that it's dense tissue, it hasn't gone away or grown and they said it could just be a benign growth caused by injury, but are not 100% sure. Nothing abnormal was found in blood work or fecal test.

Have you looked into possible MBD or Gout.?
It could also be a 'retained shed' that never healed.

it's dense tissue

That's a strange diagnosis.
There are sometimes 'minor defects.' W/ these creatures.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow, that is odd, so they had no idea whatsoever & the bloodtests were inconclusive as well?
It is hard to the touch, & doesn't move at all, correct?
If it has not changed any & isn't bothering him then it might just stabilize. You could consider
trying to find another vet but I realize it is expensive. I would think that they could aspirate some
fluids from it possibly, to culture just to determine if it is bacterial in nature.
Is he still eating well right now?

Tracie

 

[Gcapriotti7]

I'll look for a different vet. His appetite is still great and he's still moving normally and climbing without trouble.