Sick BTS.

Everything Blue Tongues! Have a question? Just got a BTS and want to introduce yourself? This is the place!
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In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts.
If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that.
This is also where you can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys!
kellyh0622
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Sick BTS.

Postby kellyh0622 » Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:31 pm

Update!

She was infact dehydrated. The scales were dried out :( if I can get the pic to load u can tell where it will most likely scar. We are giving her subq sterile saline every couple days to keep her hydrated and started her on a meal replacement we feed her daily ish. So she is maintaining her weight and even gained a little back. Took her off the amikacin and she is on another injectable abx thats not as nephrotoxic.. Also did bloodwork to check kidney function. We also forked out the money to swab and figure what bacteria/fungus/ and or virus. The only bad thing. The little white bugs they could never catch...so he recommended provent a mite. Went to the reptile store to see if they had some. Apparently that stuff is for like an infestation vet didn't explain how to use it all. I thought I was supposed to spray it on her originally. Thankfully after long talk didn't get it but recommended a large plastic tote on a standard heating pad. We put a bowl in it filled with soping wet paper towels it keeps the humidityat 99%. Had a bit of a scare and thought she was actively passing, but she didn't and since the tote has been doing way better. Mucus has thinned out not gunky (although she is due for some fluids tomorrow getting a little thick) . Good to know it can last a while. Atleast she doesn't look like she is suffocating anymore. She Is even sleeping with her tongue in her mouth, she can hiss again, and started flicking her tongue out like normal :D. Hopefully all good signs to recovery. She also had another shed. All the scales laid back down but u can tell where it was damaged.

Original post
Hello! Not new to the forum but first time posting. Just wanted some thoughts. Vet already been seen and another appointment today. We have a 8 month old. Joanna. She has an upper respiratory infection :( has been on oral abx, amikacin injection every 3 days. As well has an eye inf. It's been almost 3 weeks since onset. I feel like she has gotten better but it's required 2-30 min soaks a day (to prevent dehydration) with a steam shower to help loosen up secretions.
I don't even feel like we are out of the woods yet. The reason she is going again today is for reasons.
1. Seems a bit more sleepy when not handled..dehydrated?
2. Slight mouth open when breathing (mind u she was using accessory muscles and was tilting/propping head up to breath but not needing to do that anymore)
3. Mucus in mouth still looks thick
4. now her scales. It started out as 1 scale now she has a whole ridge that's brown and lifted and starting to pop up else where. Not sure scale rot or mites.

To treat the RI we have needed to increase her humidity, she even has a warm water humidifier in her cage (vet recommended). The first vet told us the wrong humidity level so we found a more experienced bts vet.

My question is it normal for them to be sick this long? And could the extra Humidity needed for her lungs br messing up her scales.

Original substrate was bioactive. Took it all out when started no mold present. cleaned out did paper towels then reptibark. Added some seg. Moss also. Humidity is 65% on one side and 95% on the other (small question if meters working gonna replace) temp range 75 and 98 degrees. Has water dish, 2 hide rocks and The humidifier. It's a 4x2x2 enclosure..
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Last edited by kellyh0622 on Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Janella
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Re: Sick BTS.

Postby Janella » Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:46 am

HI there, one thing you forgot to mention is what type of skink is this? Depending on the species, that will determine where her humidity needs to be. Post pictures so we can verify. Also it is normal that a sick skink will take this long to clear up. It can take months actually. Where did you get this skink from? Also with the raised scales are you sure she isn't just shedding? Do you see black moving specks on it? If so that is mites. Make sure you are going to a vet that is experienced with reptiles.
kellyh0622
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Re: Sick BTS.

Postby kellyh0622 » Fri Mar 01, 2024 10:59 pm

Janella wrote:HI there, one thing you forgot to mention is what type of skink is this? Depending on the species, that will determine where her humidity needs to be. Post pictures so we can verify. Also it is normal that a sick skink will take this long to clear up. It can take months actually. Where did you get this skink from? Also with the raised scales are you sure she isn't just shedding? Do you see black moving specks on it? If so that is mites. Make sure you are going to a vet that is experienced with reptiles.



Hopefully I replied correctly. She is an indonesian blue tongue skink ither sorong or halmahera sub species. And no black bugs just white. She was a petco purchase, which we have now learned to never do again. We also found an exotic pets only vet near by. And the first vet was amazing! The sec. Doc vet knew stuff just not enough...to answer question. Posted an update also
chubbyskink
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Re: Sick BTS.

Postby chubbyskink » Mon Mar 04, 2024 5:07 pm

hmmm my skink used to have that on his tail
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Janella
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Re: Sick BTS.

Postby Janella » Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:23 pm

Your skink looks like a Merauke. They do require higher humidity How is it doing now? Getting any better?

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