I dunno if anybody will know about this but I'm just asking on every relevant forum I can find. I've been keeping amphibians for a while but this is beyond my experience.

I have a young male fire bellied newt named Hercules with severe swelling in his mouth. Dunno whether it's an abscess of some kind or if it's his tongue, but there is something there causing huge trouble. I've only had him a few days, and he had this condition when I got him.

I got him from a specialist reptile and amphibian shop who I trust greatly, they recieved him second-hand (not from a wholsesaler) and didn't notice his condition until afterward. I got him free because of his condition. He came with a female (also from the same previous owner) who seems to be in perfect health.

The swelling is a kind of opaque gray colour, and is swollen enough that he can't fully close his mouth properly, and it's extremely noticeable just looking at him.
He is active, but totally uninterested in food. I'm very worried and don't know how to treat him, as I'm not even sure what's causing this or what it is. I've included pictures. Can anybody help?

Attached Images

	newtbody.jpg (75.2 KB, 23 views)
	newtmouth1.jpg (25.9 KB, 28 views)
	newtmouth2.jpg (35.1 KB, 24 views)
	newtmouth3.jpg (52.0 KB, 27 views)
	newtmouth4.jpg (28.9 KB, 33 views)

Is it solid or fluid-filled?

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Honestly I'm not sure. It seems soft but I don't want to try and manipulate his mouth too much. He's very small and I don't want to make anything worse. looking for an amphibian vet in my locality at the moment. Unfortunately it's not proving easy.

wow - that looks painful, but sorry cant help

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Hey, sorry it took so long to reply.
The little fella died a couple of days ago, before I could find a vet to look at him. When I found him the swelling had gotten huge and he'd just keeled over.

I've been keeping a close eye on the female but she seems fine.

Still not sure what caused his condition but all I can say is if anyone gets the same problem with a newt, don't waste any time before looking for a vet.

Anyway thanks for the comments folks.

Sorry to hear he died

I had a snake hatched many years ago with a very similar "swelling" in his mouth and also his eyes. The vets said it was fluid on the brain (hydro...?? something!) and humans get it too.

If it was that, there would have been nothing that could have been done to save him at all sadly

RIP little guy.

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That's a shame he died. Hope the female continues to get on well.

Laura

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