My bearded dragon's broken jaw has a hard lump. Is surgery needed?

Your suspicions are likely correct for Red - the mass could be related to stomatitis, or mouth rot. This disease often has a husbandry related component, so I would recommend taking a close look at Red's enclosure and its components to ensure that all parameters are perfect. Often temperatures and/or lighting are the culprit - please ensure your UVB bulb has been changed within the last 4-6 months and that it is appropriate for bearded dragons (i.e. it is for desert species). Please also ensure that it is appropriate for the height of Red's enclosure - if it is too close or too far away, Red may experience problems related to it. Temperatures should be measured using digital thermometers located at Red's level, and not elevated in the enclosure. You can find parameters online using a bearded dragon care sheet, such as one found on Reptiles Magazine. Please ensure that Red continues to have an appetite, and that his diet is appropriate. The majority should be made up of a salad of dark leafy greens, with protein supplemented two to three times per week and fruit once per week. Diet can also be involved in cases of stomatitis. It would also be advisable to weigh him every other day to ensure he is not losing weight. This can be done using a digital gram scale (found in the kitchen section of most department stores). If you appreciate a decrease in appetite or weight, I would recommend having Red visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. Until your veterinary visit, I would evaluate the husbandry as outlined above, and make adjustments as needed, and monitor him as outlined above. Your veterinarian will closely evaluate Red and his mouth, and may take a sample of the mass to confirm that it is an infection and not another process. They will also ensure that the jaw is stable, and they may recommend radiographs (x-rays). Treatments may include antibiotics and pain medications, depending on the findings. Please do not give Red any human medications, as they can be harmful for our scaled friends. I hope this gives you a place to start, and good luck!

That is certainly suspicious for an abscess. Harry will need to see a veterinarian for confirmation. Without proper veterinary care, the infection may spread. Ask your parents again to make an appointment with a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. Discuss a payment plan with your parents. Agree to do more chores or special projects around the house to pay off the debt.

Thank you for the photos. Sorry Jade is having this issue. It looks like a either an abscess (infection), a cyst or a tumor. It does not appear to be an injury. I cannot tell you much on how to treat it without knowing what it is. I strongly suggest you take her to a reptile veterinarian for an exam. They will likely do an aspirate of that lump to collect some cells and get a diagnosis. It if is an abscess she will need antibiotics. If it is cyst or tumor it will likely need to be removed with surgery or it will never go away. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

It could be a fracture complicated by MBD but an exam and xrays is what Reptar needs to get a definitive diagnosis. It shouldn't cost "thousands". With proper care and some environmental and diet changes, he can recover from MBD. Left untreated, he may suffer permanent damage or even loss of the limb. An experienced herp vet will have the knowledge and experience to give Reptar the best chance at a full recovery. Follow the links to search for a local herp vet. http://www.herpvetconnection.com/calif.shtml http://www.anapsid.org/vets/findingvet.html

He should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose infection, injury or metabolic bone disease. Provide unfiltered UVB lighting as well as a heat source. Calcium(D3) and multivitamin supplementation is essential as is a healthy diet of fresh greens, vegetables and fruits. You can also supplement the diet with a commercial iguana food. Review iguana care at the link below. Yes, it says "green iguana" however care is the same. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Green-Iguana/

Thanks for reaching out about Jasper and including a photo. This limb is necrotic tissue and non-viable. A veterinary visit is needed as this limb needs to be amputated before infection spreads further. Systemic antibiotics might slow spread but will not cure the limb. Sorry. Please call your veterinarian. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Zuri and including photos. This appears to be a superficial wound and should heal on its own. Monitor appetite and movement of mandible. If concerns, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.