EDIT: 4 questions

[Kurt]

1) How much Calcium supplement do you use?

2) What is the proper way to disinfect a used tank/accessories before letting your skink use it?

3) If I've had a skink for a year and get another one from a reputable breeder, what is the recommended quarantine process?

4) If your skink has a piece of food stuck in his mouth how do you clean it?

I noticed it when I was handling him last night and figured he'd take care of it on his own. Tonight when I had him out I saw that the scales around his mouth were a little funky so I got a closer look and found out the small piece of chicken was still there and seemed to irritate those scales. I got a sterile tooth brush and put it near his mouth. After a few seconds he licked it which allowed me to get the bristles in his mouth and brush away the piece of chicken.

I'll keep an eye on the scales to make sure everything is fine, but I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem and what they do? Or maybe this story may help someone with this problem...

[Linnea]

i just sprinkle on top so that you can see theres one layer powder on the food that covers 70% of the meat.

i either cook it, roast in the oven(lol), put it in the freezer, wash it with alcohol + children friendly soap + water.


i cant give you a recommended process, but i can guess it goes like this:

- keep the tanks in different rooms
- do not use the same cleaning items or decorations for the tanks.
- make sure air from the quarantined pets room does not get send directly to where your healthy skink is.
- make sure to wash your hands properly after every time youve been in the new skinks cage.
- keep the new reptile on some paper towel the first week to check poop and other simple things like shed (if possible)
- vet visit to ensure absolute health is recommended.

stay tuned for more experienced bts owners answers ;D ive NEVER quarantined a pet since i only have one in my house right now~

[Bird_Brain]

1) How much Calcium supplement do you use?

2) What is the proper way to disinfect a used tank/accessories before letting your skink use it?

3) If I've had a skink for a year and get another one from a reputable breeder, what is the recommended quarantine process?

1. How ever much I feel like adding? I know this sounds like a smart butt response, but in all honesty, thats the truth. I have always followed the Andrew Seikes method of making the top look like a powdered donut. I then mix it all together.

2. I use Nolvasan for clean cages or when I put a used item into the cages (hide from different cage, purchased a used cage, etc). You can also use a diluted bleach solution or hot soapy water.

3. Essentially Linnea said it all. I keep my quarantine animals in a spare bed room upstairs and the rest of the collection are in the basement. I typically keep animals in quarantine for 2-3 months. Since its a spare bedroom, I am in no rush to move them down with the others.

The only disagreement I have with Linnea is the vet visit. While it will not hurt to take it to a vet, I really see no need if you dont notice something wrong. Obviously some people dont know the difference from the head to the tail and I would recommend a vet visit, however, you seem like an intelligent guy.

A vet check up will only look at a couple things. Weight, body condition, and probably a fecal. If you have been dealing with BTS for a while, you know what they should look like and appropriate weight for their body size. A fecal can be taken care of by dropping off a sample to your vet (most will not require an exam) or of course, mail me one!

[MissMeg]

I didnt know you should use that much calcium. I use a tiney scoop full that came with te calcium. I should probably add more

[Linnea]

I didnt know you should use that much calcium. I use a tiney scoop full that came with te calcium. I should probably add more

im guessing some calcium supplement might be more concentrated than others though?

the one i have is "homemade" by the store so....i use plenty.

[Edward]

1) How much Calcium supplement do you use?

None.

[Kurt]

Thanks for the answers!

Sounds like I'm doing just fine on Calcium. I just sprinkle a fair amount on top of the food once or twice per week (pretty much every time I feed him).

I have a product called "healthy habitat" that I used to clean the used tank/accessories. Think that is good? I got it at a reptile store and it is meant to be used to clean reptile tanks. Here's a link to it...
http://naturalchemistry.com/products/he ... bitat.html

And for quarantine, I have plenty of time to make arrangements... but is it completely necessary to have them in separate rooms? It would be so much more convenient to keep the tanks where they are. Does it matter that I'll have had one skink for about a year with no signs of sickness and the new skink will be from a reputable breeder?

...Obviously I will separate the tanks if its required. I just don't wanna put a tank in my room if I don't have to.

[Bird_Brain]

I dont take quarantining lightly. I have been "burnt" before from thinking I was safe to put new skinks with the rest of the collection since I was purchasing from a reputable breeder. I keep in seperate areas of house mainly due to mites. They are annoying little guys that spread so easily when kept in same room.