Red-spotted Newt (notophthalmus viridescens) with lumps on their head, torso and tail

[jammor]

Dear Friends,

I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on why some of my red-spotted newts have lumps, or growths, on their head, torso and tail. Some of the newts have multiple lumps but it doesn't seem to affect their movement, eating or general health. Somebody did suggest it might be a parasite infection but how can I be sure? If anyone can shed some light on these suspicious lumps, I would be grateful.

Many thanks

Jamie

 

[jcb118]

One way to check for some types of parasites is to take poop from the animals to a vet who can examine it for parasites. I have no idea whether something that causes skin lumps would leave traces in the poop, but I suspect it might not.

 

[slowfoot]

Someone else posted with something very similar not too long ago. Do they look like this?

http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=60422

I've never seen or heard of these lumps before, but they do look to me like some sort of parasite living under the skin - maybe something that makes a cyst or fluid-filled cavity. Has anyone in the US every seen anything like this on a wild Noto?