Gauge Update - More Pics!

[ILoveMyMonsters]

Gauge is doing pretty good today. I have upped her dosage of calcium/vitamin D3 supplements to control the lump on her back. It looks smaller today. It's a real shame that the weather has been so dreary this week here in Missouri, otherwise we'd be basking outside together .

She's up to 11.25 inches long , and eats every dish of food that has Merrick's in it like it's her last meal . I also had a question: I know that as skinks age, you can reduce the number of feedings a week. About what age do I need to cut down to every other day or a few times a week...or is this even needed at all? As of right now, she eats everyday.

And now....picture time!



Cleaning her face after brunch:

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Could you get a horizontal/side pic of him?

[ILoveMyMonsters]

I had one, but it wouldn't upload onto the site for whatever reason.

[Katrina]

It is great that you are taking everyone's comments so positively and making changes to make sure Gauge is healthy. You definitely care lots about her!

How old is Gauge to be 11.25 inches? She is still pretty small, so it seems strange that MBD would develop at a young age, especially if you say you supplement calcium. It might be wise to see a vet just in case it is something else or to see if they have any insight.

What do you feed Gauge mostly? How often do you supplement (on average since you have had her)? I know I'm asking lots of questions, I'm just trying to understand this! Do you feed Merrick or more chicken breast and other meats?

You can cut down on feedings at any time, usually once they are about 6-8 months I'd switch to every 2-3 days.

Merrick with calcium and some greens/veggies is a great meal choice.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Also who bred him?

[ILoveMyMonsters]

She's a little over 3 months old. She's supplemented (minimum) every other day. I try to give it to her every feeding.

Food - she gets rehydrated veggies (come dehydrated then soaked in water), some greens mixed with whatever Merrick's can is on the menu for the day (the Puppy Plate drives her crazy ). I also add tiny bits of fruit. The majority of her meat is from the Merrick's cans - that's chicken thighs, turkey, duck, lamb, beef venison, or bison, depending on the variety. Occasionally I shred cooked plain chicken breast into her food....but she's not really fond of that.

[ILoveMyMonsters]

And I did try for another horizontial shot of her....that didn't go well. She has made it very clear that she is comfortable in her hide on my desk and doesn't want to be disturbed.

It's difficult to tell, but she is hissing and being generally as she's poking her head out:

[Katrina]

That is weird. Only 3 months old and eating Merricks - she shouldn't be getting MBD or calcium deficiency from that diet.

I'm really perplexed - it sounds like you are doing things right, so there shouldn't be any reason for the underbite or visible lump in the back. I'd take her to the vet for a check up, in case something else is going on. I'm not sure if others have more ideas but I'd be very curious to hear what a professional thinks.

Again - it is great that you are open to feedback and suggestions and doing all that you can to keep Gauge happy and healthy.

[ILoveMyMonsters]

She came from Matt Tiegen's lines. He's supposed to be one of the better breeders out there.

And I have never noticed the underbite. O.O

I'll see if her vet can get her in soon.

[Katrina]

Matt Tiegen is a very good breed from everything that I've heard. I'm sure it wouldn't be anything caused by him. I really have no idea which is why I would be very interested to hear what a vet has to say, but from the pictures Matt Tiegen sold you a perfectly healthy little baby and it seems like you have done things right for the first couple months so this is really strange.

Maybe others have more ideas on this.

Please post what your vet says. Hopefully we can all learn from this.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

tiegen or tietgen?

[ILoveMyMonsters]

So are there other conditions that can cause back humps? I never noticed the underbite, she does have one now that I'm looking at her more closely. Anything that cause that? *curiosity*

[Bird_Brain]

tiegen or tietgen?

Does it really matter? IMO and experience this has nothing to do with the breeder/seller anyways.

[Katrina]

Here is an older thread with some info on Calcium etc.
http://bluetongueskinks.net/forum/viewt ... ht=calcium

MBD is really a blanket term that covers a number of different problems. There are a number of reasons why they might not be getting enough calcium, although I'm not sure any of them would cause noticeable problems in such a young bluey - they usually can go for a long time on a poor diet with no noticeable problems (or minimal ones). I'm not really sure what else it could be, other than a diet problem, but I'm not an expert.

[Katrina]

tiegen or tietgen?

Does it really matter? IMO and experience this has nothing to do with the breeder/seller anyways.

Yes, please keep on topic. We do not want to be making assumptions and in this case there is absolutely nothing to indicate that this has anything to do with the breeder.

[Susann]

I know this does not matter, but for what it's worth, Gauge has an OVERbite, not an UNDERbite...

[ILoveMyMonsters]

I am calling her vet this morning, she appears healthy other than the weird stuff I mentioned with the back hump, but it's worth being looked at.

And yes, it is an overbite. :embarassed: my mistake.

[Katrina]

I know this does not matter, but for what it's worth, Gauge has an OVERbite, not an UNDERbite...

One of those glaring errors that I didn't even notice / clue in on. Thanks Susann!

[Susann]

Glad to be of assistance!
After having both my upper- and lower jaws detached from my skull in 3 major surgeries to correct an under bite, I happen to know which is which