Unusual white bump on abdomen

[GuillotineGulo]

I woke up a few days ago to my Theraphosa Blondi with a strange looking bump on her abdomen to me personally I immediately assumed she might have injured herself exploring her enclosure during the night, it looked a little glossy so I dabbed some potato starch on it with a soft and unused makeup powder brush. Today it seems to be dry and no longer very shiny but I am still very worried for her as I do care about her quite a bit, is this a rupture or possibly something else? It’s been 3 days now so I am at least glad she seems to be doing alright and hasn’t gone into a death curl. Any advice or insight as to what this is or what I should do would be greatly appreciated!! One photo is the day of noticing the anomaly and the other is from today.

 

[viper69]

Looks like the beginning of a cyst

 

[NMTs]

Agreed - possibly a cyst. If you type "cyst" into the search engine, it's going to return hundreds of results because this is something that happens somewhat frequently. I think the outcome in most cases is about 50/50 - some molt eventually and end up being fine and living a long time, while others just die, either relatively quickly after the cyst appears or at some point in the future (but sooner than they should have otherwise perished).

The first pic with the potato starch on there made me think you might be dealing with an impaction (when the T is unable to expel waste), as you will often see crusted feces around the anus in a specimen that is impacted. Knowing that it's not feces helps, but I wouldn't entirely rule out the possibility, either. Has the T been eating/drinking/pooping normally?

The real unfortunate part is that no matter what the issue is, there's almost nothing that you can do about it. Medical treatment for inverts is practically nonexistent.

 

[GuillotineGulo]

Agreed - possibly a cyst. If you type "cyst" into the search engine, it's going to return hundreds of results because this is something that happens somewhat frequently. I think the outcome in most cases is about 50/50 - some molt eventually and end up being fine and living a long time, while others just die, either relatively quickly after the cyst appears or at some point in the future (but sooner than they should have otherwise perished).

The first pic with the potato starch on there made me think you might be dealing with an impaction (when the T is unable to expel waste), as you will often see crusted feces around the anus in a specimen that is impacted. Knowing that it's not feces helps, but I wouldn't entirely rule out the possibility, either. Has the T been eating/drinking/pooping normally?

The real unfortunate part is that no matter what the issue is, there's almost nothing that you can do about it. Medical treatment for inverts is practically nonexistent.

She hasn’t pooped or eaten but she drank water for a good solid 10 minutes 2 days ago. She doesn’t seem to be interested in food atm and I was kind of worried that she’s a bit big to eat a meal and I was worried about her bursting to be quite honest … hearing that this is a cyst is heartbreaking as I had just purchased her not too long ago I really really hope I don’t lose her :,(

 

[NMTs]

She hasn’t pooped or eaten but she drank water for a good solid 10 minutes 2 days ago. She doesn’t seem to be interested in food atm and I was kind of worried that she’s a bit big to eat a meal and I was worried about her bursting to be quite honest … hearing that this is a cyst is heartbreaking as I had just purchased her not too long ago I really really hope I don’t lose her :,(

Well, I'm sending hopeful thoughts your way. You're right - from the looks of her, she doesn't really need to eat, and it's usually recommended to feed sparingly when there's an issue like a cyst, anyway - no need to put extra pressure on the abdomen by continuing to feed. All you can really do is keep her hydrated and wait to see if she'll molt out of it. Good luck with her!

 

[spideyspinneret78]

It almost looks like a herniation of the exoskeleton. Like softer layers are bulging outward. I wonder if this spider fell or was injured somehow. Regardless of what's causing it, I hope your spider pulls through.

 

[Brewser]

Hope for a Successful Molt in future and a Well Healed Big Beautiful Blondi.

 

[TheraMygale]

From people who had cysts before, is there a place that always seems to be end game vs a place that seems to have better recovery?

Its near the exit, but it doesnt seem over book lungs and heart. Would that make a difference?

 

[spideyspinneret78]

I would also make sure that fall risk is kept to a minimum. Removing any objects she injure herself on, potentially add more substrate so that the height between the floor and top of the enclosure is reduced. Also watch her weight closely and limit feedings....any extra stress/ pressure on her exoskeleton is just going to worsen the issue. She looks quite plump already.

 

[GuillotineGulo]

Wanted to update her condition, she still hasn’t pooped but has still been active; I see her grooming herself and moving around in her hide, I’m wondering and hoping that if she could potentially pull through and recover if she were to shed. Some have told me it looks like a bruise but idk if I’ve ever seen that with a Tarantula nor have I ever had any experience with cysts. Further insight or suggestions is always appreciated.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I agree with all the others here, so I won’t restate that, but just a note to use caution when applying starch. You wouldn’t want to seal the anus.