Weird hard bulge on the side of this hatchling..

[Khrysty]

My boyfriend has been calling me every five minutes since he got his hatchling...worrying about this and that. It's gotten obnoxious. But.

This time I think there might actually be a problem... He sent me pics.

He says the bulge on the left side of the hatchling is hard (he said almost like bone) and it seems to hurt him when he touches it. Does anyone have any idea what this is? It has me mildly worried...

 

[Khrysty]

These are the pics he sent me

 

[Khrysty]

Anybody have any idea what that is?

 

[Srt14292]

I have seen something like this before, on the side of a face, was on an article posted here, could be a cist. Take it to the vet asap they may be able to give treatment or slice open and pop it out.

 

[Khrysty]

I have seen something like this before, on the side of a face, was on an article posted here, could be a cist. Take it to the vet asap they may be able to give treatment or slice open and pop it out.

What's strange is that it wasn't there when we bought him around six days ago. I'll have him call the vet today, though, and make an appointment.

 

[Khrysty]

Its apparently gone down since last night..he says it's barely visible now

 

[Khrysty]

Update:
We made an appointment for Monday. Apparently the little guy hasn't been pooping. Today he did, but it was just the urate..and it was all balled up and some was still stuck in his vent. He's still active and happy. He eats when it's offered but when he doesn't eat for a day, the lump goes down (we learned this today).

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Keep us updated. I will be interested to know what it turns out to be

 

[Landen]

There was an article on GeckoTime that was very similar but the cyst was on the face. But it didn't mention anything about going away and reappearing later. If it bulges after eating, have you thought about it being a hernia or anything? Vet would be best probably. Good luck

 

[Khrysty]

Some pics..

The night we took him home:

The first night we noticed the bulge:

Tonight:

Vlad chasing the curser on my bf's computer lol:

 

[Khrysty]

There was an article on GeckoTime that was very similar but the cyst was on the face. But it didn't mention anything about going away and reappearing later. If it bulges after eating, have you thought about it being a hernia or anything? Vet would be best probably. Good luck

If it's a hernia, is it dangerous? And how could it be treated?

My assumption is yes, it is dangerous..and only surgery could correct it. But he's so small and I've read that reptiles don't react well to anesthesia...

I guess only the vet can tell us. I can't wait til Monday :/

 

[Alusdra]

My thought was a hernia, too, with the signs you describe. The poor thing will probably need surgery if that is what it is, which will be tricky in such a young animal. Make sure you go to someone who really knows what they are doing! Ask if they are boarded in exotics and/or surgery and/or how frequently they do microsurgery. Maybe the vet can offer a medical management technique until he gets bigger?

 

[Khrysty]

Update:

Joe (my bf) called the ***** we got him from. They basically told him that they won't take him to a vet. They have to determine whether THEY think he's sick first. They'll refund his money and he can buy it back later or something. Like he's a freaking sweater. Idk. I'm so pissed right now.

We're both poor college students. Money's hard to come by. I'm at a loss for what to do.

I know that most vets will do payment plans. I also know that if something is majorly wrong and he needs surgery..he's likely too young to come out of it. Idk.

I guess what we decided on is to wait a while until he's bigger. See if he outgrows this. It doesn't seem to be affecting his appetite or his mood. He's still friendly and active.

If he doesn't outgrow it..or if he gets worse..Joe and I decided we're going to seek out a herp vet in the quad cities. Hopefully one that can set us up with a payment plan.

He's so in love with this little guy and it kills him to know he's less than perfect, you know? His heart would break if we lost him

 

[JordanAng420]

When you bring him in Monday, see if they'll do an x-ray.
The best way to get a shot of a gecko that small is on a dental x-ray. Mention that...
Before jumping to conclusions, lets see if it's something that could be fixed medically instead of surgically. Let us know what the vet has to say!