Burn to the mouth.

[tabossco]

Very sad day for our famliy and our skink named dino. I would like to explain from the start we found dino at a large pet store he looked cold and not happy i asked to hold him he was very cold and had a red spot on his lip i asked the manager what it was she said a vet looked him over and gave him a clear sale of health that it was just a bruise and they would give a 60 day warranty on him with free vet check ups. After two weeks it appeared to look better but spreading some so we rushed him back in so they could take him to the vet. After returning the next day the store manager explained it was a burn that and reptiles can not heal to well from burns and the vet had to remove the dead skin and we need to apply this silver cream to the area twice a day. As you can see in the photos it is horrible! I feel so bad for this guy! He eats drinks fine but i know he must be in pain.
I think ill call the vet myself as his name is on the prescription i think it was not a burn on his lip how would he ever do that?? Im thinking its really mouth rot and the store is keeping this info from us.

[tabossco]

I don't think he will regrow his lip back and will be scared for life i hope im wrong....

[tabossco]

Any advice would be great so far this looks like it is turning into a leagal matter as consent was not given. I mean i would approve but imagine taking your dog in for a check up and he comes back missing a leg...

[Susann]

I think since it's really the pet store that's treating the skink, you even took him to the store and they took him to the vet, consent to treat would not need to be given by you... I could totally be wrong on that, just my thought.

Poor guy. I would definitely call the vet myself if I were you. Ask if an antibiotic shot was given, and if not, if you could get a preventative abx treatment for him. I'm just thinking since the wound area is rather large and it's his mouth.
The most important thing for you right now is to keep the area clean and make sure Dino stays hydrated. If they didn't tell you to do so already, ask the vet about keeping him on paper towels until the wound heals over enough to be dry.

There is a chance he'll grow some of those scales back around the edges, possibly more, but I'd count on him having an area there with a "scar". You can ask the vet about that as well.

I would also make sure your temps and heat gradient is perfect, and check with the vet if there's any benefit from either raising or lowering his heat while he's healing. I would also ask about what you can do to better ensure good hydration, if soaking is advised or if that's to be avoided until the wound heals over --which is what I'd suspect...

I might also ask about a pain med. Just to reduce his stress level. For that reason as well I would make sure he has places to hide in his tank in the different temp zones. Cut up strips of paper towels if nothing else, just so he can relax.

Please keep us updated, and good luck.

[tabossco]

Thank you so much for the advice i have already looked into nv law and consent must be given by rightful owner and the vet was very upset that they did this as it is there policy not to deal with third parties involving pet care. I tried to ask for advice but they would not release info or advice as im the third party. Looks like ill just take him on on my own for a check up and start my own care for him. Thanks again for the help.

[Susann]

Oh wow. What a mess...
If I were you, I might go to the pet store then and talk to the store manager and ask for whatever report/receipt they got from the vet, so you know exactly what was done. Just kindly explain to them that, as you now are the owner you'd like to take over the vet care yourself, and need to let your vet know what exactly was done. The new vet is likely able to do so directly as well, but as the current treating vet has already shown his displeasure, might just try to avoid any dealings at all with him...

You may well forfeit the 60 day guarantee if you do this, and that would be a judgement call on your part; vet care is not cheap...

Good luck. Very interested in knowing how this works out; keep us updated, please. Sorry your first skink is proving to be a stress for you.

[tabossco]

Well after contacting the store about the problem they assured me that due to the fact the injury was caused in there care all vet bills will be covered by them untill the wound is healed up 100%. I asked for this in writing and they agreed. His next visit is next week so looks like it might turn out better that expected. The person in charge of the reptiles assured me that it will grow back i hope he is correct is all i can say. What a nightmare! I always hear others say never buy from big chain pet stores as they dont take care of there animals and this just backs up what everyone says but ya know what i wanted a BTS for anlong time and was going to order one from a local breeder but i just could not leave this poor guy with them i had to take him home he has been such a great pet! Sometimes he can very scary to bring out of his cage with all his huffing and puffing but he never even attempts to bite he just crawls into my arms and hides for a few then off and about exploring the living room and climbing over our legs as we all sit and watch him BTS are such a great pet to have ! They asked us if we wanted a refund/return and i was very offended lol no way! Hes family now...

[Susann]

Sounds to me like Dino is a very lucky pet! Unlucky with his injury, but in the end ended up in the best of circumstances.

Good luck with it all. The pet store is actually being uncharacteristically amenable and conscientious in caring for Dino. That is very unusual when it comes to pet stores after they have already sold an animal and made their money.

The huffing and puffing is very common. All you need to do is just totally disregard it, act like he isn't making you nervous at all, don't let him make you pause in your reaching for him. Some will grow out of it, some actually stay like that, the silly things!

Could you post some pictures of him from up above, so we can see what kind he is?