Snout rub-Urgent

[Emmadrewrox]

First of all I hope I am posting this in the right place, I am rushing so I don’t have time to really make sure. I also know there are tons of posts on the topic but my question is slightly different. See I know to solve snout rub I should try new hides and covering the sides of the tank, but don’t have time rn and I’m working on finding a hide. What I need to know is how to stop it rn, if possible, and how to ease the pain. My skink just aggressively rubbed it worse than ever, and I’m starting to think the brown on her face is dried blood not substrate. What do I do? I have to go but am scared to leave her doing this (him but not important rn).

[Janella]

What size enclosure do you have? How many hides? Do you get it out often? Picture of the damaged nose would help. You can apply a triple antibiotic ointment if needed. I would make it a priority to get this problem fixed, before your skink really hurts itself.

[Emmadrewrox]

Hope this is the right way to reply. Thank you for replying to the post. I cannot remember the exact size of the enclosure, but in the near future hope to upgrade. It is plenty room for an average size northern but as meraukes are longer which I hadn’t known at the time and my skink is very long possibly a little over two feet I would guess, the enclosure is a bit tight. I have two hides, a lot hide on the warm side, and a huge water bowl on the cold that she burrows under and sleeps there. It doubles as a hide and is her most frequented spot in the enclosure. I take Fiona out often, less often recently, but minimum of two to three times a week and maximum five or six. I play it by ear. She has done this a while, damage still seems reversible at his point I think. Will post a photo later today. This is long sorry. Also, although this happened after the rubbing began, her bulbs went out. The temps are still fine it’s been like three days need to replace them today. Sorry and thanks if you made it to the end of this.

[Janella]

So is your skink a Merauke or a Northern then? I would absolutely get the bulbs fixed asap. The temps are probably not fine unless you have checked with a temp gun. Can you measure the enclosure to verify the size? If you have two hides then that is good. It also sounds like you handle her often. Have you tried to block her enclosure yet to see if that helps with the rubbing?

[Emmadrewrox]

Merauke. Sorry that was unclear. I don’t have a temp gun but am getting one very soon. I am in the middle of switching the bulbs just had a set back because I got it stuck screwing it in wrong. Oops. I have been handling her less often, that maximum is more of an old estimate. Is it too much? I have been considering blocking the enclosure. What should I use to do that? I will try to do it today if I have time. I know it seems like i lack urgency despite the title i want to let you know when it comes to emergencies I don’t hesitate and overall even if I don’t get things done ASAP do them because my animals needs are my biggest priority honestly. Sorry for rambling again. The tank is a forty gallon long. I will attach a picture once I figure out how.

[Janella]

No worries. I can tell you care or you wouldn't have asked right . A 40 gallon breeder is a good size. Definitely with the Merauke, you need to keep temps and humidity right. If not, you can develop respiratory and skin issues. As for handling, you can handle daily or every few days. It doesn't matter with these guys, but it does depend on your skink. Some like it more then others. Then for the snout rubbing, you can just try taping newspaper over the enclosure. I hope this helps.

[Emmadrewrox]

That helps a lot thank you. The way I got my bts is a long story. Not bad or anything though. But I didn’t know the subspecies for the first few weeks so cared for her like a northern. I’ve learned since of course. Plus now that I have a bp I’m really paying even better attention to both humidities. Sorry I keep rambling lol. But thank you so much for replying thoroughly and reading everything I wrote despite the length. Also what type of tape?

[Janella]

No problem at all and I am glad to help. I would put the paper on the outside of the enclosure. I would just use regular tape. Doesnt have to be anything fancy.

[Emmadrewrox]

One more thing. I’m now like almost 100% her nose is bleeding. Like I looked at her and her face was clean, she sneezed I look back and it’s got that stuff again which I think is blood. What do I do. I can’t do the newspaper this second but it wouldn’t solve the issue of the blood rn even if I could. .

[Janella]

Okay, I don't like the sound of blood coming from sneezing. Is it alot or just a little? Sounds like your skink damaged something while snout rubbing. Try to send pictures as soon as you can.

[Emmadrewrox]

no it’s not a lot.

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[Emmadrewrox]

Also I never know when I’m just being paranoid. Regardless she is constantly rubbing her snout that’s certain, but how much I should worry idk. My mom thinks I’m being paranoid again.

[Janella]

Okay, hard to tell in the picture, but the nose itself doesn't look bad from the angle of the picture. I would definitely try to get your skink out more and interact with it. If you have a safe spot in your house for it to explore, I would do that. You can try the paper cover and see if it helps. Never hurts to worry. Keep me updated.

[Emmadrewrox]

Thanks will do. Here is a new pic. Almost looks scabbed over if that’s even possible.

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[Janella]

It could be. Again, it is kinda hard for me to tell by the picture. Just keep an eye on your baby and keep me posted.

[kayla990]

Along with the tips from Janella - Do you know what your humidity is? I'm starting to think you've got a Halmahera (same as ours, as the pattern looks very similar). This could have caused the cracked skin/bleeding from the rubbing, if the scales are too dry it's more likely to happen. You'll need to aim for around 80% average humidity (90% more ideally). As you're thinking Merauke, would you be able to take a few more pics for ID purposes?

If you do have a Halmahera and if the humidity has been on the lower side, they may potentially be rubbing to try release stuck nose scales.

[Janella]

Agreed with the last post. Try to get us whole body pictures. Some from above and side. I was wondering the same thing last night.

[Emmadrewrox]

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[Emmadrewrox]

That is an old picture. The next is this morning.

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[Emmadrewrox]

Also never heard of that sub species before. My humidity is around 70%.

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