RI problem urgent help

[Kelvin W]

While checking on my skink tonight noticed he is making a slight noice while taking a breath it must be an ri there are no reptile vets in my area so will a normal vets be able to treat sone thing Luke this or will I have to seek a proper herp vets out

[Kelvin W]

Sorry if my post sounds dumb I was just thinking that a normal vets might be able to help but I will be going to a proper herp vets.
Still any advise on RIs I will be most grateful thank you to who ever can help

[Katrina]

Do you see any discharge from the eyes, mouth or nostrils? Any other signs of illness?

If you are just concerned about a slight noise while breathing, then I think you're overreacting. They make noise while breathing so I would wait until you have another symptom before rushing off to a vet. Any kind of lethargy or listlessness would be cause for concern, as would discharge. An unusual kind of noise while breathing, however, is a common new owner concern.

[MissMeg]

I hear yeah KW. Im so protective of my animals I feel as soon as I think somethings wrong, I gotta take them to the vet.

Yesterday when I had Ruckus out his nose was makeing a faint squeeking noise when he breathed. Im not sure if this is normal but Im going to let it play out lol. My first reaction was Oh my gosh I gotta take him to the vet, but my voice of reason (boyfriend) said just chill and see if anything else happens.

I think your little guy will be okay if their arnt any symptoms mentiond above

Im totaly the same way though, and ive had my bluey for over 2 years!! lol

P.S. We dont have a herp vet in out town eithor, we have to drive over an hour to get there! Eithor I have to move, or they need to do house calls LOL jjk

[Kelvin W]

Thanks for the help there is no discarge from eyes or nose he already has a fat lip (damaged scales) but that seems to be getting better I don't no if he is lethargic because he just hides all the time he's still settling in he's still eating and pooping and there are defo sings that he has been coming out just not when I'm there I'll let it play out and watch over him closely thank you.

[zakkhogan]

Kelvin, Did i read that you have a humid hide in your viv?

[Kelvin W]

Kelvin, Did i read that you have a humid hide in your viv?

No mate I haven't got one in the viv should I?
I've got my vet appointment for Friday only problem is it's an hour drive there and a hour back I have a polystenrn box to put him in but how long will he be safe in there?

[Linnea]

Kelvin, Did i read that you have a humid hide in your viv?

No mate I haven't got one in the viv should I?
I've got my vet appointment for Friday only problem is it's an hour drive there and a hour back I have a polystenrn box to put him in but how long will he be safe in there?

put him in any box....take some material for him to burrow in.....perhaps place a few crickets for the sake of keeping him busy if hes one of those hyperactive skinks ( my petstore recommended this, not for the nutrients of course since theres literally none, but to keep them busy, but of course you risk them running away and if the box is too small then they are just plainly annoying, so i would avoid it in this case )

i had my skink in a box for 4,5 hours. You can send skinks all over the USA and i guess that takes a while ( like 10 hours sometimes? ) so dont worry.....

just make sure he can breathe and move a little O.o and dont shake the box like a milkshake.

[Kelvin W]

Thanks =]

Bugger I always just want to shake every box I get it's an addiction I'll just put him in a plastic bag (only jokeing).

Will just a normal hand wash in-between tending to my pets stop any cross contamination to the others?

[Katrina]

I would just give him a towel / pillow case to burrow in and keep him snug in the box. Don't worry about crickets - he won't get bored. Just make sure it doesn't get too hot or too cold.

[Fatal_S]

WARNING: Don't leave any reptile alone in a confined place with crickets. Crickets happily chew on live things and can cause wounds to reptiles who are too cold or confined and can't get away.

[Linnea]

WARNING: Don't leave any reptile alone in a confined place with crickets. Crickets happily chew on live things and can cause wounds to reptiles who are too cold or confined and can't get away.

sorry, i didnt know it was true. I heard that was just some story people told every once in a while D: the pets store owner also said so when i asked......
But wouldnt the cricket have to be kinda big to get a grip on bts skin? ( this is a total off topic question, im very sorry >.<)

[Nae]

Heres a close up of a crickets mouth (I linked it in case people were creeped out by bug close ups -

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q3Ivq_XIASo/TPR-h ... icket2.jpg

Pretty scary looking, aye, and surprisingly strong. If a bluey cant move to get away, all they would have to do is sit on a soft spot like the neck or legs and munch away. It may take a while to inflict any serious damage, but if left for a few hour trip, thats plenty of time to turn serious. Plus excruciatingly annoying for the bluey

[Fatal_S]

No worries, lightchii You learn something new all the time. I had no idea until I worked in a pet store and saw the damage first hand. Scarily, eyes seem to be a big target for crickets, but they can in fact get through scales and skin anywhere, especially if there's multiple crickets. I don't recommend leaving crickets alone with any animal in any situation. Crickets can be nasty, and they don't give up.
Video proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAqYNny5h3Y (right around 2:30). I prefer mealworms as a much safer option for leaving with reptiles (not the beetles though).

For travelling, I like to put my skinks in a pillowcase, tie a knot at the top, and put that into a box/container with handtowels/faceclothes as padding. I also mark on the box/container "LIVE HARMLESS LIZARD - BLUE TONGUE SKINK - NAME" just in case something weird comes up.

As for cross-contamination, I can't really say for sure. Maybe someone else would know, or you could ask at the vet. Best option right now IMO is to deal with the healthy animals first, then the possibly sick one last, and wash up after that. On the off chance something germy could avoid the wash, I can't see it surviving on you until the next time you deal with the healthy ones.

[Alioop]

I've been bit by a cricket on more than one occasion, it gives quite a good pinch. They definitely have no problem sinking their little fangs into larger creatures than themselves.

[Krippschick]

WARNING: Don't leave any reptile alone in a confined place with crickets. Crickets happily chew on live things and can cause wounds to reptiles who are too cold or confined and can't get away.

sorry, i didnt know it was true. I heard that was just some story people told every once in a while D: the pets store owner also said so when i asked......
But wouldnt the cricket have to be kinda big to get a grip on bts skin? ( this is a total off topic question, im very sorry >.<)

This is also the reason my husband will not feed crickets to his tarantulas right after they molt. Their fangs are not hardened up, so they are pretty helpless, and the crickets could injure or kill them. Just a bit of info, sorry a bit off topic.

[MissMeg]

When I take Ruckus to the vet (which is also an hour there and an hour back) I put him in a kitty carrier with hand towels and a pillow case. I find he likes to look out while were on our trip. When he gets home he doesnt show any signs of stress or anything. Infact hes a little bit more active, but then hell go to his hidey after an hour or so. Back to normal.

He doesnt always look out. Hell hide for some time, pop his head out watch the world for a while (he probaby gets car sick lol) then goes back and hides.

[Kelvin W]

They defo bite when ever I pick up the adult ones they always quickly turn around and grab my fingers nd I looked closely and you can see them biteing my fingers nasty little buggers what they are.

I've just got some anti bacterial wash for my hands to make sure I don't pass any thing on.I wonder if an RI could pass on to dogs not a concern just a thought.

[Kelvin W]

When I take Ruckus to the vet (which is also an hour there and an hour back) I put him in a kitty carrier with hand towels and a pillow case. I find he likes to look out while were on our trip. When he gets home he doesnt show any signs of stress or anything. Infact hes a little bit more active, but then hell go to his hidey after an hour or so. Back to normal.

He doesnt always look out. Hell hide for some time, pop his head out watch the world for a while (he probaby gets car sick lol) then goes back and hides.

I don't think mine would like to look out at the he's still settling in he's very very shy he is just starting pop his head out and when I'm there and not reacting to my movements made a massive improvement then I'll have to start all over again after I dig him out to take him to the vets but at least I'll know he's ok or make him better =(
I keep sayin he I don't even know what sex he is guess I'll find out on Friday

[Fatal_S]

Do not let a vet probe or pop your skink. It doesn't work well with BTS. The vet probably won't be able to do more than guess at gender like anyone else.