Have you ever seen anything like this " mystery mass"

[little leaf]

I did not post this in health, because she seems healthy - eating, drinking but please move if needed
Some of you know I am the reptile leg of a 501 c3 rescue, I received this little pygmy Saturday from a importer who knew I did rescue.
We are trying to figure out what this mass is- I have PM'ed the pics to some people, it may be a cyst, encapsulated old infection, or even her uterus with an egg- well, I just took these photos tonight, the mass has blood supply, and also, she started digging as soon as her feet hit the dirt in the terrarium.
My regular cham vet is out of town until Thursday / Friday - but the more info I can give him, the better- has anyone ever seen anything like this? I don't know how long she has had this either, but it is catching on every forked stick, plants, and she grabs it when she walks, so I know surgery on a Pygmy is VERY risky - but leaving it my not be a choice either - I just want to do what is best for her and HUGE thank you to Ferretinmyshoes for helping me with this unusual issue( and putting up with all my questions )

 

[jannb]

Cheryl, my girl Littie has a hernia and it's the closest thing I've seen. You can see some photos of Lottie's hernia here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/im-very-worried-about-lottie-again.141348/

 

[MelissaB]

Poor girl, that looks so uncomfortable. I'm glad she's with you, and hope your vet can help her.

 

[little leaf]

Cheryl, my girl Littie has a hernia and it's the closest thing I've seen. You can see some photos of Lottie's hernia here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/im-very-worried-about-lottie-again.141348/

We have not ruled that out either, but it's so far forward - ty for the info - how is my big guy Teddy I saw his weigh in

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Possible tumor? Overall the animal has a good appearance so a blockage or a bunch of other things I would rule out. I'd recommend making sure the animal stays in something like a plastic shoebox with a paper towel for substrate until your doc is back. That should cut down on the animal bumping it and the like. A quarantine container will be ok for the short term but if she pokes it or tears it , game over.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Buddy of mine thinks it's a hernia, I have never owned a leaf chameleon but he says the organs are farther ahead in the cavity and consistent with that photo. Either way, make her comfortable until the Vet is around. She looks strong enough to wait.

 

[Scout]

Poor Pygmy. Is egg bound a possibility? Most females come in wild caught and gravid.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Poor Pygmy. Is egg bound a possibility? Most females come in wild caught and gravid.

Naw, when they egg bound they just look gravid. That there is a bulge and based on the skin it was gradual. Hernia or tumor are fair guesses. An X-ray would be the best thing to make a more informed guess but the vet is out. Main thing is the animal looks healthy enough to wait if kept comfortable.

 

[wodesorel]

I've seen umbilical hernias in kittens that presented in the same way. In a mild form it can be just the fat layer that falls through, but if the tear is large then part of or entire organs can slip through the muscle wall and be held in place by just the skin. So long as the skin is intact and there is no infection, it's pretty easy to slip everything back in and sew the hernia shut - in mammals, at least.