Mable is around 18 months old and has developed a swelling on her right cheek. The swelling does not appear to be particularly sensitive but it is affecting her eating.

We have treated the area with a mild antiseptic for around 10 days with no visible effect and our next step would be to take her to a vet unless someone has experience of a similar complaint. 

Any advice would be much appreciated - Jan

Hi Jan

It looks like an abscess to me. If it was me, I would definately take her to the vet to get it checked out, but best wait until someone from the TPG admin has a look and gives you advice.
Good luck and hope you get her sorted out soon, let us all know how you get on
Jane, Keya & Molly

Hi Jan, I agree with Jane it does appear to look like an abscess, they are quite common in this area by the ear.

You will need to take her to a tortoise vet to get this confirmed, she will need anti-biotics and probably have it lanced as tortoise puss is quite hard not liquid like ours!

Let us know how you get on, lovely looking tort you have.

Regards Vivienne

Hi Vivienne and Jane

We took Mable to the vet on Friday and she is on a course of antibiotics that appear to be doing the trick. The vet was unable to open Mables mouth for a good look but she seems to think she may have cut the edge of her mouth and this has now become infected - she was unable to rule out an abscess.

The vet also advised  regularly cleaning of the cheek area with iodine to try and soften the scales so they will eventually fall off. This also seems to be working, the swelling is reduced, she has started eating again and is generally more alert - so far so good.

Mable is also enjoying a warm daily bath to help her re-hydrate and help her bowel movements!

Thanks all for your advise 

Jan

Hi Jan,

Glad to hear Mable is doing good. Is she a horsfield? If so then it is very hard getting near their mouths, my vet has had to sedate one of my females and clamp her mouth open in order to just look inside :-) Once the infection has cleared you might want to bath her in Reptoboost, i find this brilliant for torts that have been ill or abit sluggish.

Ali