Will this heal

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

It looks dangerously close to the eye IMO.

[wrath]

I agree with you. I just sent an email to Matt with the pics to see what see if there's anything he can do.

[wrath]

Does anyone know what an average vet visit would cost? I've never brought a BTS to the vet before. I'm sure it varies but if someone can give me a general idea what to expect.

[Katrina]

Guys - this has been going on for 4 months now. No need to panic the owner, the skink has lived with it for months.

I can't really tell, but it looks mostly healed to me. Like scar tissue, not open infected wound. Is there any discharge at all? Is any of it still open? Or does it look like scar tissue?

It isn't something that will ever heal 'back to new' kind of thing, but like Helikaon said - they can heal wounds very well, as in recover from a wound so that it is no longer and open sore.

[Susann]

I just noticed you said you have had him for 4 months. So that probably WAS a scratch, that got infected, and now, 4 months later, looks like that. The breeder is not responsible for this. If you send him pictures, I believe the only thing the breeder can offer is to take the skink back to get him treatment.

You really need to find a way to get him some professional veterinary care.

[Bird_Brain]

Just curious, have you notified Matt prior to the email you just sent him?

I dont know if I would continue the topical antibiotic. Not sure if keeping it moist would be the best for it. Obviously, I recommend a vet visit as well.

Edit: Just call around to local vets. Many would be willing to provide advice over the phone if possible. With todays technology, they probably have an email address or website that you can contact and see if they would take a look at the pics. Ask if visit would be recommended or if it can just be treated at home with OTC medications.

[Susann]

Vet costs are so very different, there's no way to say. Other than calling around. I'm in Utah, I pay between $35-$50 for the visit. Any procedures and medication would be on top of that.

Start calling around. You will notice that as many vets as there are, few of them are specialized herpetologists.

[wrath]

There is no discharge coming from the wound. It's just scar tissue. This is my first BTS. I was going with what he said that it would heal within a few sheds. He's only shed a couple of times since I had him. But now after like I'm pretty sure he's on his third shed I said to myself this isn't going away and he's gonna have this marking probably for life. This upset's me since I paid $200 for what I thought was going to be a flawless skink. There was no talk about possible infection or taking him to a vet or anything. Just it will heal. So...idk just upset. Live and learn I guess.

[wrath]

No...I haven't contacted at all since I got him. I just sent him an email today with the photo's.

[Katrina]

I don't want to assume it is fine based on only a couple pictures and no veterinary training... but if it is just scar tissue with no worsening, no reddness or tenderness and no discharge of any kind... then I would assume that the damage has healed as well as it is going to.

At this point polysporin won't help. If you aren't certain that it is completely healed and infection free then definitely see if you can talk to a vet and get a second opinion. But from what I see, it seems like it is healed and so a vet won't help and polysporin won't help - it might get a bit better with time, but it is pretty well healed up.

I wouldn't blame Matt Tiegen just yet - we don't know the full story, although that is a pretty substantial 'scratch'. It is tough when you are a brand new owner and not sure what is normal. Let Matt know and give him a chance to respond. If the skink has been eating and growing for 4 months then while the wound on the head will never heal back to perfect, it should still make a great pet.

[wrath]

Agreed

[Spindown]

poor skink, no animal deserves that! at least from the sounds and looks of it, its mostly healed now? if your not sure, vet time is a good idea.

Katrinas right though, despite this craziness, he will still be an awesome pet. At least he has someone to love him/her now.

[wrath]

Yes, I love my skink despite the wound. And will continue loving him regardless. Let's see what Matt can do.

[Helikaon]

Overly that wound looks pretty good, it is a large wound but you can clearly see healthy granulation tissue, if it is eating growing and shedding fine then i would not be worried about that, it will take a good year to heal though as it has gone fully through the dermal layer, you will be surprised how it will look in the future over time it will become smaller and hopefully regain many of the missing scales, looks more like a good burn then a scratch that got infected.

[wrath]

Matt's reply:

I'm sorry to see that. It's very interesting, as I've never saw a little scratch like that get worse on a reptile before. My best advice would be to apply a triple antibiotic ointment (such as neosporin) on and around it. Use a qtip or some gloves when you apply it. Also be sure that when it sheds, it sheds completely, in the pictures it looks like some scales around the wound need to be peeled off. Be sure to use a wet qtip or moist towel to rub them off gently. This clean up should improve and speed up recovery.

I will give it time to heal. As long as he will be ok. Maybe it won't be as bad as I'm thinking. I'm going to give it time.

[BlueTonugeBalPython]

I bought my BTS Tank From Matt And My Transaction was amazing... he wouldn't ship it to me because it was too hot out, gave me pointers.... and everything else... now im not saying your didn't get a bad BTS.... but from my experiences... hes a amazing breeder of not only BTS but snakes Too

[wrath]

I'm not bad mouthing him...just had an unfortunate situation that needed to be addressed.