What have we learnt in the last decade of keeping?

[Fatal_S]

Assume I've been out of the loop for the past decade - what have I missed?

[Dakota]

Hey Mel!

I can officially say that I've been keeping bluetongues for a better part of 10 years. I started out working with the Indonesians; nowadays, I'm working with about 15 different species of skinks ranging from Egernia, Tiliqua, Cyclodomorphus, Scincopus, Corucia, etc. (Still working with my Indonesians. )

The one thing I've learned most from the last decade of keeping, is that we still have a lot to learn as keepers and breeders. I'd like to believe that we have yet to peak in the innate curiosity to bring nature back into our humanity. We all like to say that we all have it figured out, but truth is, no one does. I do not believe it humanly possible.

I believe this, wholeheartedly, becoming close friends with professors in herpetology over the years from all across the globe. Hell, just 6 months ago, I was on the phone with Joe Ball on how to breed albino Easterns. I have 4 of the authors from the bluey bible on my FB. Trust me, even the professionals know they do not have all the answers.

In general, I think we should set the mentality aside that one must have all the answers and accept the truth that our hobby is fueled by global community willing to rise when called upon. Our global community is an ecosystem of wisdom, and it has been grossly neglected.

Last year, I was asked to give a presentation on Tiliqua gigas for my local herpetological society. It was a well-received, paid gig, and they all took me out to lunch with my partner afterwards. After my presentation was over, however, a lot of people were struck by what I told them we DON'T KNOW about these skinks. "How can this be? Could it be this? --that??" Once we all come together, and put the egotistical mumbo-jumbo aside, we could really absolutely unlock some secrets about these animals that have been under our noses the whole time.

Hopefully this wasn't too much of an existential answer for you, Mel. This was an incredible summation. It is good to be back. Oh, and I'm still a snail hunter.

[Fatal_S]

Fantastic post Dakota! I agree, our community has been neglected. I'm trying hard now to do my part in my local community, but I struggle a lot. My local herp community fell apart, and I came in to try to rejuvenate it, but then things distracted me (life happens), and instead of helping I feel like I'm holding my community back.

I've been watching your journey over the years and I'm so *darn impressed by you. You're amazing

[Susann]

Wow. Fatal AND Dakota in a new post on the forum! And here come I. Wonder who else we could get in here…? Kat? Nae? Lea? Jeff? Could you IMAGINE?!
Maybe that’s what I’ve learned this past decade, good, GOOD people disappear for all kinds of reasons, but the world carries on; other people pick up the reigns. It’s not always the way it was, but sometimes it can get even better.

[Nae]

Well
I just recently learnt that the framed photo of Zeke wearing a sombrero I placed in the office is still confusing my work colleagues.
It's a lizard in a hat people c'mon

Honest answer? It's less about me, and more between Zeke and his vets - I am just the one signing consent paperwork for details regarding Zeke, his vet appointments, collected samples etc to be used in some sort of veterinary database.
Zeke became quite unwell a few years ago (completely fine now!) And it was a challenge for his vets as apparently there is very little data on Centralians, and they were having to use northern bluetongues as a guide as to stuff like what his vitamin levels should be right up to dosage amounts for medication etc.

So yeah. If it can help future Centralians, I will sign paperwork I don't care

[Susann]

And there she is, the Naeister! With her Pudge Meister! Still kicking and taking names, both of them!

[Fatal_S]

Ha, look at us go. It's so *darn good seeing you folks.

Nae, I'd love to hear more about Zeke's adventures/misadventures. I'm going through something similar with one of my monkey tail skinks; illness with semi-experimental treatment. I'm getting to be quite the fixture at my vet office...

[Susann]

I'm getting to be quite the fixture at my vet office...

Boy do I know that story well. But boy did I ever learn a lot.
Going down memory lane here. I just today happened upon the picture Linnea drew of my Joey after he passed. So many sweet people here to lean on and learn from. And sometimes hurt with.

[Nae]

And there she is, the Naeister! With her Pudge Meister! Still kicking and taking names, both of them!

Haha I had completely forgot about the whole pudge meister thing!
He is still extra pudgey

[Nae]

Ha, look at us go. It's so *darn good seeing you folks.

Nae, I'd love to hear more about Zeke's adventures/misadventures. I'm going through something similar with one of my monkey tail skinks; illness with semi-experimental treatment. I'm getting to be quite the fixture at my vet office...

Oh gosh honestly, I was also super unwell so I was mostly just there to throw money at whatever the vet was suggesting

If I recall correctly - it turned out he has an infection in his intestines. It took quite a while to resolve as initially he was diagnosed with and being treated for intestinal parasites.

And once he finished that round of treatment he was fine - only to then go to sleep over winter. So it was like ok there's that sorted.

Only for him to wake up, and become unwell again. Vet has me change his diet, his bedding, basically everything he could be getting the parasites from and he's all better again after another round of treatment. However he is then unwell again - but this time no parasites?

The whole time I think something else is up. I'm also getting frustrated cause the vet is basically taking baby steps y'know, like one step/test/treatment at a time, and I'm also paying over $100 for each of these appointments, let alone the tests and meds etc.

So basically I tried another vet. Explained what had been going on, that I wasn't 100% confident in what the previous clinic was doing and could we just go scorch earth with the diagnostics - blood test, x-rays etc just do it all I don't care this is dragging on with the other place. (Who did none of that just stuff like fecals).

And yeah bam. A round of antibiotics later and he's back to his typical jerk self

The first vet was an actual exotics clinic that only treated exotics. The second was a regular vet who just happened to have an interest in reptiles and had his own snakes.