New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

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Jp092015
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New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby Jp092015 » Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:25 pm

My new BTS has missing toes, crusty eyes, crusty mouth, and makes a clicking sound when breathing sometimes. I have been bathing him to get the crust off so he can open his eyes, it got better for a while when I changed his bedding to aspen shavings but it came back again. I was told I should change it to something else, and use lubricant eye drops and antibiotic and lots of vitamins and it should get better. Is this correct? Is there anything else I should know or do?
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby mb606587 » Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:54 pm

Yes, change the substrate. Aspen is too dry for any Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. For my Irian Jaya, I use organic top soil mixed with coco fibre and sphagnum moss. The substrate is misted daily. The clicking sound is often indicative of a respiratory infection, usually caused by chronic low humidity. Antibiotics from a vet will likely be necessary. I would advise getting this skink to a reptile vet ASAP and ensure it is receiving the proper heat and humidity from here on out.
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What is the best substrate for Irian Jaya?

Postby Jp092015 » Sat Feb 15, 2020 6:29 am

Every website I check out says something different. I had used eco earth loose coconut fibers but it seemed to get stuck in my BTS eyes and around his mouth. Help?
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby alichamp » Sat Feb 15, 2020 2:42 pm

Hi. Perhaps this thread on substrates in the FAQs section will help.
viewtopic.php?t=28314

How is your skink doing? Have you taken it to the vet? As well as antibiotics if necessary changes with husbandry will be needed with a sick skink, re heating, substrate, humidity and adding a humid hide. Can post a pic of your skink and your enclosure? Also what temperatures are you getting at the warm and cool ends, and what is your humidity level? If your skink is already showing signs of illness then it needs attention straight away. We're here to help!
Jp092015
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby Jp092015 » Sat Feb 15, 2020 3:13 pm

Since I’ve been misting daily he’s gotten much better. I gave him a bath and all the crusty stuff came off his mouth, and his eyes look fine. I added moss for extra humidity also. I’m thinking of getting cypress mulch for bedding instead of the shavings. Humidity is moderate, I have the hot end at 90-100 and cool side is usually 75-80
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Jp092015
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby Jp092015 » Sat Feb 15, 2020 3:14 pm

I have no idea why the pictures are upside down.
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby mb606587 » Sat Feb 15, 2020 3:20 pm

I would highly recommend that switch to cypress mulch. Also a digital hygrometer to accurately measure your humidity levels. 60%+ is ideal for an Irian Jaya. Covering a majority of the screen top with foil tape will help keep the humidity from rising and escaping through the top.
Jp092015
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby Jp092015 » Sat Feb 15, 2020 3:53 pm

Thank you so much for your help. I’m glad I rescued him when I did, he probably wouldn’t have made it this long. He looks 110% better than he did, and he’s growing like a weed.
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby splashy07 » Mon Feb 17, 2020 5:47 am

Agreed, please do not use aspen. The humidity requirements of your skink will cause it to mold, and it is entirely too dry a substrate for anything but rodents. I do not recommend it for any reptile. The dryness and dust it produces creates an unhealthy environment.
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby Jp092015 » Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:05 pm

This is his enclosure now and he’s much better. I just need to find that foil tape or something to keep the humidity more steady.
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby splashy07 » Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:15 pm

Just tape aluminum foil to the screen frame. That's what I used to do when I kept Indos and only had glass tanks with screen covers. Worked very well along with a large water dish and a humid hide (you can put sphagnum moss in there)
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby splashy07 » Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:16 pm

A slate for basking and a hide at the cool end too will benefit him also.
Jp092015
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Re: New Irian Jaya BTS crusty eyes and mouth

Postby Jp092015 » Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:19 pm

He has a heat pad and the light at the hot end so he just basks on the mulch. Ive found he doesn’t like hides much, I’ve tried various types. He just happened to be going through the log when I snapped the pic but he never stays or sleeps there. He would rather burrow, that’s where he is most of the time

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