Bearded dragon mouth lump: Is it an abscess or infection?

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!

It is highly suspicious for an abscess or mouth rot. Ideally, she should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian for confirmation. Treatment may include draining or debridement. Antibiotics will almost certainly be required. In the meantime, increase tank temps by 5-10 degrees F to aid in healing. Make sure she continues to eat and soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent mild dehydration until she sees the doctor.

This is most likely an abscess that has formed. Fudge will need to be seen by a vet to have it treated. If it is diagnosed as an abscess the vet will flush it out and place Fudge on antibiotics. I would recommend seeking treatment right away so the swelling does not get any bigger because it may affect Fudge's ability to eat.

From the pictures it appears to be an infection. This infection could be bacterial or fungal. It is possible she had trauma to hip lip that started it. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian because she will need medications to clear it up.

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.

The lump may be the bony callous at the site of the break. This means it is healing. Have her rechecked by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. An x-ray of the jaw/skull can be done to confirm the jaw is mending properly. If it is, she likely does not need surgery.

Look for redness, swelling, decreased appetite or excess salivation. The "crust" may be food crumbs, shed skin or substrate. A physical exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet would be needed to definitively diagnose rot. In the meantime, make sure the enclosure is clean as poor husbandry can predispose a beardie to infection. High humidity can also promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth.