First - I have already taken my girl to a vet. I am looking for more information between that appt and next appt from my friends here.
I have a 14 year old female red-eared slider named Valentine. She's never had any trouble previously. Vet loves her environment & diet, but did suggest adding in a particular turtle pellet they recommend. She is in a 120 gallon tank with a basking area. I don't have any questions about her environment. I described them at length to vet and she loved it all.
I took Valentine to the vet last Friday when I noticed she had a lump on the top of her neck just behind her head. (Not on the sides.)
When I took her in to the vet, I could not watch because of covid precautions, but the vet called me in my car and said that she did not see a lump on the top of Valentine's head - that it seemed fine, but she did find a mass under valentine's head in her neck - which was also visible in her mouth. Attempted to aspirate the lump, but all they saw were a few red blood cells and it was quite difficult to get the needle in. Therefore, vet believes it is a tumor of some kind and recommended surgery which is set for Wednesday this week.
However, since bringing her home, she has been very subdued - spending almost all her time on her basking area. I checked her more thoroughly tonight and saw the mass again at the top of her head - looks larger. It's approximately 1/4" tall and just under 1/2" wide (guesstimating).
I'm puzzled. If it were a type of mass that could float around, that seems a bit far to float considering tissues and expect vet would have noticed if the mass was mobile. Could there be an infection perhaps that drained and refilled?
I have a call into the vet and sent the images below. Interested in your take also.