Various Illnesses

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

Hi! I’m back with yet another question!
If I provide uvb, would my bluey still need D3 supplements? I know they (obviously) don’t have those in the wild, but is our uvb in captivity not quite there yet? Metabolic bone disease is one of my many, many concerns about care (first reptile).

Also, do blue tongues carry any diseases that could potentially be passed on to a leopard gecko? We have one (not mine, still love the little guy) in the house, and it’s in a room pretty close to my own. I know about inclusion body disease in snakes, but is there anything like that in lizards? If so, how contagious is it? How long should I quarantine for? I’ve been planning to go for a couple weeks, is that too short? I’d hate to think me getting a new animal would put our existing ones at risk.

[IvanDanko]

Hi again!

In regards to MBD, I think a safe guideline is calcium supplement every meal and calcium+D3 in one meal per week with UVB exposure provided. This will greatly reduce the risk of MBD occurring, however I have read and heard of cases of MBD despite proper husbandry and supplementation due to circumstances outside owners control (differences in robustness and hardiness between skinks, instances of insufficient nutrition where the skink appears normal but is lacking in required elements). If you take all the correct precautions as you've described you should be fine

RE: illnesses and disease - I'm assuming the animals have to be housed together/have some opportunity for cross contamination- I'm not sure if diseases are interchangeable between reptile species. I know you have to be wary of pet shops as they can carry some nasties. I don't have much experience there sorry

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

Lol, maybe I should be more concerned about what the gecko could give the skink then!
My main reason for asking was that I know supplements can be overdosed, and I don’t want to do that! I think I’ve seen a good few other people saying to do the same thing you said, so I think that’s probably what I’ll do.

I know there are SOME viruses that can be transmitted between reptile species, the aforementioned inclusion body disease being one of them (that one’s only in snakes though). I think adenovirus too, but I know so little about vet terms that I couldn’t understand any articles I read on it!
The breeder I intend to buy from seems pretty reputable, so I’m not too concerned it’ll have anything. The gecko, on the other hand, is from one of them good ole chain pet stores (we didn’t know back then...). We got pretty lucky with him; he’s adorable. Full of personality, instead of being full of parasites, crypto (stick tail), and enigma syndrome. Just recently I was feeding him and thee was too many mealworms at once; he got overwhelmed and just left!

Now I’m realizing I’ve gone completely off topic and am just talking about my brother's leopard gecko. And using the same emoji too many times . The gecko’s name is Leonardo de Gecko, Leo for short.

[IvanDanko]

Lol, maybe I should be more concerned about what the gecko could give the skink then!
My main reason for asking was that I know supplements can be overdosed, and I don’t want to do that! I think I’ve seen a good few other people saying to do the same thing you said, so I think that’s probably what I’ll do.

I know there are SOME viruses that can be transmitted between reptile species, the aforementioned inclusion body disease being one of them (that one’s only in snakes though). I think adenovirus too, but I know so little about vet terms that I couldn’t understand any articles I read on it!
The breeder I intend to buy from seems pretty reputable, so I’m not too concerned it’ll have anything. The gecko, on the other hand, is from one of them good ole chain pet stores (we didn’t know back then...). We got pretty lucky with him; he’s adorable. Full of personality, instead of being full of parasites, crypto (stick tail), and enigma syndrome. Just recently I was feeding him and thee was too many mealworms at once; he got overwhelmed and just left!

Now I’m realizing I’ve gone completely off topic and am just talking about my brother's leopard gecko. And using the same emoji too many times . The gecko’s name is Leonardo de Gecko, Leo for short.

That is a great name!

It sounds like you're doing plenty of research so you can't go wrong there If the breeder has a good reputation then I think just do your due diligence - arrange to see the skink maybe even prior to collection. Look for tell-tale signs and symptoms, give the skink a solid once over. See where the others are housed, ask to see the parents if possible and the breeder is agreeable. Beyond that if all looks well across the board and the skink appears healthy, you've certainly made a good effort to safeguard your purchase and future pet.

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

Sadly I can’t see more than pictures pre-purchase. I live in an area without a ton of breeders of ANYTHING reptile, much less something more difficult to breed (like blueys). I’m getting it online, but plan to record the opening of the box and the initial inspection of the animal. Just in case.

[mb606587]

My belief through experience when it comes to MBD is that diet plays a larger role in prevention than providing UVB lighting. I am a huge proponent of feeding canned dog food. Most canned dog food is pre-supplemented with calcium and vitamin D3. I've owned Blue Tongue Skinks since I was a child. Received my first one in 1994. Growing up, I didn't supplement with any powders (I do now in recent years but I own skinks that went 17 years without) and to this day, I don't provide UVB light for any of my Blue Tongue Skinks. But I fed canned dog food from day 1, even when it was frowned upon by the hobby back then, only because my dad recommended it. I've never had issues with MBD with any of my skinks, even without providing UVB lighting or supplements. On the contrary, I've read numerous testimonies from people who did provide UVB light, but fed a poor diet, and had skinks suffer from the ailment. While I still think providing UVB lighting is beneficial, it's not a cure-all to prevent MBD.

As far as reptiles spreading illnesses and parasites amongst each other, yes that commonly happens. Any new reptile, especially those purchased at expos and pet stores should be quarantined at a minimum for 4 weeks, but ideally 8-12 weeks.

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

My belief through experience when it comes to MBD is that diet plays a larger role in prevention than providing UVB lighting. I am a huge proponent of feeding canned dog food. Most canned dog food is pre-supplemented with calcium and vitamin D3. I've owned Blue Tongue Skinks since I was a child. Received my first one in 1994. Growing up, I didn't supplement with any powders (I do now in recent years but I own skinks that went 17 years without) and to this day, I don't provide UVB light for any of my Blue Tongue Skinks. But I fed canned dog food from day 1, even when it was frowned upon by the hobby back then, only because my dad recommended it. I've never had issues with MBD with any of my skinks, even without providing UVB lighting or supplements. On the contrary, I've read numerous testimonies from people who did provide UVB light, but fed a poor diet, and had skinks suffer from the ailment. While I still think providing UVB lighting is beneficial, it's not a cure-all to prevent MBD.

As far as reptiles spreading illnesses and parasites amongst each other, yes that commonly happens. Any new reptile, especially those purchased at expos and pet stores should be quarantined at a minimum for 4 weeks, but ideally 8-12 weeks.

Thanks! I don’t think I’ll feed dog food as a staple, unless it’s bad not to? I plan on feeding a very diverse diet, and will include dog food occasionally, just not all the time cause it’s my first reptile and I have the time and resources to provide loads of different foods. Do you think I should rethink that?

[mb606587]

This is a good thread to read

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19184&hilit=Human+grade

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

Wow, I never realized that it would be that difficult to provide a balanced diet without a good portion dog food! Thanks for linking me to that thread! I hadn’t thought it was bad at all to feed it as a staple, I just thought I would be able to provide a balanced diet with live stuff, and provide more enrichment that way. Definitely gonna feed way more dog food now than I initially thought. Thanks for your help!