Something is wrong with Kinky

[Alara]

A few months ago I noticed that Kinky's mouth was inflamed and some of his gums were gone.  He doesn't open his mouth often so I didn't know how long it had been like that.  I took him to the vet and she said it didn't look like mouth rot but he had some sort of infection.  She gave me medicine and it seemed to clear up and I was hoping his gums would grow back but they haven't.

I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem now but thought I would mention it just in case.  He's been tilting the right side of his head up and looking straight up with that eye.  When he does this it's hard to get his attention.  I've noticed a slight bulge near the base of his fat pad on the right side.  You can't really tell it's there unless you compare it to the other side.  I also think he's losing weight but I'm not entirely sure.  He also seems a little floppy when I pick him up, usually he shifts around a little to get more comfortable.

A few other things.  He doesn't seem to like looking out the window outside right now.  He'll only eat hornworms or silkworms and some of his veggies.  He has a bit of shed at his vent that doesn't seem to want to come off (I have been giving him baths to try and help with this).  He still head bobs at Gemini every once in a while.

I have a vet appointment for him tomorrow.  Unfortunately my usual vet is on medical leave and they're not sure when she'll be back.  So I have to take him to a vet I've never met before.  I'm a little anxious about that as well.

[ladyknite]

There is the possibility that there could be an abscess in the mouth at the gumline.  it would cause the gum deterioration as well as the swelling you think you see.  It would also explain why he prefers soft feeders over other bugs.  Infections in this area often affect the tympanic membrane.
A good oral exam (so easy on a dragon right?) should answer that, but a blood test for cell count might be in order.
many times a small piece of chitin will get stuck below the gum, (like popcorn kernals) and set up this type of problem.

[Alara]

The vet was a really nice guy and was appreciative of the information I brought with me.  He also admits that he's not an expert and that if what he prescribes doesn't help I might want to the nearest expert who may be in Toronto which is about 2 hours away.  If I do wind up doing that I hope I can find one that's open on a Saturday.

Kinky was feeling very nervous and was on full display, beard black and puffed out with mouth wide open.  He couldn't find an abscess but didn't discount that theory.  He could see the other symptoms that I mentioned and he prescribed the last thing that my vet prescribed, Baytril.  Will that help if it is an abscess that we couldn't find?  He gave me the little flashlight after he examined Kinky's mouth so I could take a look as well.

After the vet visit we went to the pet store and picked up some yummy hornworms.

I think I will start looking for a specialist so that I'll have name(s) in case I wind up needing to go further to get him treatment.

[ladyknite]

The baytril should work fine on any oral infection.  Remember to add a probiotic in there.
I would also consider doing a colloidal silver rinse.  IF you can get him to open his mouth, squirt a small syringe of the silver water toward the irritated area.