My BTS Norman is sick!

[Norman]

My BTS Norman hasn't eaten in three days. I offered him a mouse which he usually loves but he wasn't interested. He is also making a popping sound when he breathes, my girlfriend who keeps Norman at her place thinks it might be a lung infection.

My girlfriend called the vet and left a message asking if we could come in saturday but is worried if he will be okay till then?

We have had problems with him since we got him with crusty eyes and a lot of his toes falling off but nothing as serious as this. Some people suggested changing his diet and it seemed to of helped with his toes since he hasn't lost any since but his eyes still go crusty and lately have been really red around the outside. My girlfriend is worried we have been just avoiding a more serious problem then just his diet.

Any advice would be REALLY appreciated we are really worried about our little guy since he hasn't eaten or pooped in three days.

[Bird_Brain]

Not eating for 3 days really doesnt worry me. The popping sound doesn't sound normal, though. So a vet visit should be in order. Double check the temps and post what they are here.

[Norman]

The temperature of his terrarium is about 95-100 during the day and around 70 at night. Thanks for the fast response!

[Bird_Brain]

The temperature of his terrarium is about 95-100 during the day and around 70 at night. Thanks for the fast response!

Not a problem. However, I dont want to sound like a butt, however, is there a chance you can get EXACT measurements of the temps? How are you taking the temps? Im assuming your skink may have a RI. Temps are very important in preventing and treating this infection.

[Katrina]

I feed mine weekly, sometimes they don't eat for several weeks. Not eating for three days is nothing to worry about, in fact it is probably healthy. Read over the Frequently Asked Questions section for more info on feeding.

As for breathing... does it sound like a slight wheeze or is it more of a crackling? Does it sound like air is moving through fluid when exhaling? A slight whistle or wheeze is often completely normal, their nostrils sometimes make a bit of a whistle. If it sounds like bubbling / crackling or like there might be fluid in the lungs then it definitely is a concern and you are on the right track with calling a vet. Good luck!!

[Norman]

lol no not at all, i appreciate all the help you can give me the temperature right now is at 104, and the hummidity is at 25% . im currently using a temperature gage that is placed near his basking spot to get the temps.
do you know how difficult respiratory infections are to treat in skinks?
i also have another question, he tends to have bubbles form around his mouth from his saliva, is this normal?

[Norman]

okay good, hes usually a realy hardy eater so its good to know he can go awhile without food.
yeah it sounds like he's breathing through fluid ive noticed it on and off for the past few weeks but up until two days ago i thought he was just having a hard time clearing his nose

[El Lobo]

Like Brad said the not eating or pooping for 3 days is not really an issue but the noisy breathing is. From your description it does seem like an RI and hopefully is restricted to the upper respiratory area. The aim should be to stop it progressing to the lower which is much more serious and harder to deal with.

None of us are vets so our advice can only help a little until proper veterinary treatment is sought. I would aim to keep his temperature at PBT (preferred body temperature) and not have a gradient as variable as current. Go for a range of 87-92°F (sorry for the odd number, I am converting from Celsius to Fahrenheit). These temps should be the ambient levels at the lower level of the enclosure where he spends his time rather than a heated spot and should be maintained 24 hours per day. Obviously the next step should be to get him to an experienced reptile vet where he can be put on a course of antibiotics if the infection is bacterial.

[Bird_Brain]

I think the others have pretty much stated what I was going to say. Good luck and hopefully you can get to the vets on Saturday!

[Norman]

Yeah Ill definatly be taking him to the vet this weekend. Im asking to ease my worries until then lol.
I realy hope it hasnt reached the lower area yet. Are respiratory infections common in BTS?
my boyfriend says Im just assuming the worst (which is probably true) but Im worried they wont be able to do anything for him..

[Norman]

Thanks Brad!

[Katrina]

Yeah Ill definatly be taking him to the vet this weekend. Im asking to ease my worries until then lol.
I realy hope it hasnt reached the lower area yet. Are respiratory infections common in BTS?
my boyfriend says Im just assuming the worst (which is probably true) but Im worried they wont be able to do anything for him..

I've had a few rescues with RI - it isn't a huge deal as long as you seek veterinary advice and follow their instructions. Give the full course of medication and follow their advice completely and none of mine have had any issues fighting it. It is a pretty serious issue, but if you get vet help and follow their instructions then there isn't any reason why he won't make a complete recovery (providing it isn't too far along). It sounds like you are doing what you have to, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[Norman]

okay good! makes me feel alot better
thank you so much for everything

[El Lobo]

You can listen to the respiratory tract with a stethoscope but I don't know if there are many members as obsessive enough as me to have one.

[Fatal_S]

You can listen to the respiratory tract with a stethoscope but I don't know if there are many members as obsessive enough as me to have one.

I've got a battery-powered super-scope here somewhere....

Grandma was a nurse.

[El Lobo]

I have a standard model but one of these days I'll ante up for a paediatric stethoscope.

Once when we were treating one of the rabbits for a severe bout of GI stasis one of the neighbours came in and said the room looked like an ER.

[AnnaMonroe]

I hope your bluey gets well soon, this made me sad

& i have a question, Is it possible for a BTS to have some kind of sickness, disease, etc. and not show it at all?
Or do they usually change their behavior and/or show signs that something is wrong?

[Coomassie]

I hope your bluey gets well soon, this made me sad

& i have a question, Is it possible for a BTS to have some kind of sickness, disease, etc. and not show it at all?
Or do they usually change their behavior and/or show signs that something is wrong?

This is probably a good canidate for it's own thread but since it is here... reptiles are very well known for not showing any signs of illness until it is far too late, especially in the cases of terminal illness like cancers and such. Most reptiles will stop eating (which can also be normal behavior) so the key is tracking weight. Sick reptiles with often stop eating AND lose weight. A healthy reptile that isn't eating shouldn't lose much weight. Other signs of illness include lethargy and abnormal stool. I spend enough time with my reptiles (as many people do) that I can tell when one of them is acting "funny". The last time I had that happen, we had to put one of our leos down with testicular cancer.

[AnnaMonroe]

Oh wow, i'm sorry to hear that !
makes you kind of wish that they could speak English sometimes and let you know that something's bothering them
this just reinstates that paying close attention to your pets is an absolute & crucial must !!