My pet has bumps above its mouth and a sunken face. Is it mouth rot?

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!

From the picture it looks more like inflamed and ulcerated tissue then extra shed, but pictures can be deceiving. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon, before he becomes too sick. He will likely need antibiotics. Also double check that your temperature and humidity are appropriate, and that he is getting good night and daylight cycles (too long light cycles can cause stress). A good resource is www.anapsid.org Good luck and I hope he improves soon!

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.

The concerns include infection (bumps) and mouth rot (brown crust). Either can be caused by poor husbandry, incorrect environmental parameters (namely heat and humidity) or trauma. Without images, it can be difficult to determine either way. Ideally, Goldie should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose infection or injury. In the meantime, clean and sanitize the enclosure and contents, confirm proper environmental parameters and gently cleanse the areas in question using diluted betadine or chlorhexidine solution. If the issues don't resolve, see the vet.

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 looks like a rub wound like he is rubbing his face on the cage screen. From what I can tell from the photos it does not look like mouth rot. You can make a solution of dilute betadine and water (1:10 dilution - like weak iced tea color), dip a Q-tip into the solution and dab it on the wound. Do this twice daily until healed. Be sure you have all his husbandry 100% correct so that he likes his environment and he will stop doing this. Something must be off - temperature, humidity, etc. ( https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-First-Aid-Antiseptic-Topical-Solution-8-Fl-Oz/10324543 ) ( https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/water-dragon.html ) ( http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/snout.htm ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for your question about Ava. I am glad that she is eating well for you, and that her attitude is good. I didn’t see exactly how long you have had her, but she likely just needs some time to put on some weight. She seems to be going in the right direction from what you are describing. As far as the brien discoloration in the mouth - yes, this may be mouth rot, but there are other causes as well. Given her thin body condition, she may have been a bit sick when you acquired here. Since she is eating well, you could give things time to see if the spot goes away. endure that your husbandry is ideal, as this will be very good for her and will help with healing. If her attitude or appetite decline, or if she loses weight or fails to gain weight, then I would recommend having her seen by a veterinarian. I hope that gives you a place to start, and congratulations on your new pet!