Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Mountain Horned Dragon- Gandalf- has a knot on his lower jaw.

It's apparently not causing any problems. He eats regularly and is still active. I would just like to know how to get rid of the knot even if it isn't bothering him. Should I try to give him more calcium or to cut back? Or what else should be done, I've lost to many animals this year to lose him to.

You need to get your dragon to a vet that is herp certified as soon as possible. I have seen this condition and am willing to bet that it is not a calcium issue, but rather a bacterial one. This is most likely Ulcerative Stomatitis (Mouthrot). The gum will have to be opened and the hard cheesy puss (the source of the lump) will have to be removed. The dragon will need a followup of some sort of antibiotic to kill the bacteria and prevent its spread.

I recommend that you also read this article written on Melissa Kaplin on the subject; www.anapsid.org/stomatitis.html.

With this condition the best thing is prevention which consists of regular water changes and bowl cleaning. Remove feces from the soil as found.

I hope you get this treated soon. Your dragon may lose part of the bony ridge in his mouth as a result of the infection but should have a total recovery if treated properly and then kept clean from here on.

Good luck,
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I thank you for the web page, but I haven't noticed any of the symptoms that were listed. Could this just be a skin irritation? I did just get him into a new enclosure with some new branches and such. Some with fairly rough parts. As I said it hasn't affected his appetite or anything like that- any other ideas are helpful as I don't have the money for a vet right now...

The key thing to look for with any problem in the mhds is increased, thickened, ropey or sheeting saliva. This will be seen with parasites or infection. The abcess formed from the Stomatitis (Mouthrot)is not always visible from the inside of the mouth as it often starts below the bony ridge. I cannot stress too much the importance of obtaining proper medical care for your pet, be it feathered, furred, or scaly. In the end it is your call, but if it were me I would have him checked.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html