mouth sore???

[ewstokes]

Im purchasing my first blue tongue skink from a young man in Chicago this weekend. I have a lot of experience with bearded dragons, but this is my first blue tongue skink.
Before Saturday, I will have the cage all ready for her. Her new name is Jazzy and shell be an adult. No im not sure its a she.
The main thing that concerns me is her lip sore. The young man's name is Daniel, and he told me that his friend says to put lip ointment on it and it will get better in time. He says he has been apply Cortizone and he has noticed it has gotten better. I just wanted to ask you experts if this is okay and this is what he should be doing and what I should do once I get her.
I added a picture so you can see what im talking about.
Thanks for all your help!
By the way, my name is Elliot, im from Wisconsin, and this is my first post on this website.

Heres the pic.



She also has some damaged toes, which I assume was from shedding problems or being caged with another lizard. Im not sure I have to go over the caresheet extensively before this weekend I am just in the middle of finals so I cant take any more information until their done on Friday.

[Blotch]

aww poor thing has no toes! I can't really see the lip properly so i won't give any opinions as to what the problem is. However, I suggest you take her to a vet that knows about Reptiles. A closer pic would be fantastic.

How much are you paying?

[Marie]

Hi Elliot, I'm from WI too. The pictured skink (looks Irian Jaya?) doesn't look so healthy. Are you adopting it as a rescue? Do you have any full body pictures? I'm guessing the little guy wasn't taken care of so well. Toes can fall off due to shedding issues. Shedding issues can be caused by improper housing, among other things. My Popsicle was pretty sick when she was young, and she lost many of her toes (my exotics vet says it was related to infection). The mouth sore also doesn't look very good. I don't think I'd put cortisone on it though. I'd say keep it clean, especially after eating. If you do get this skink, definately take it to the vet. I don't know where you are located, but there are a few really good exotic specialists at the University of Wisconsin Vet School.

[Kya Ajiira]

the poor thing =( sounds like it got bad treatment there poor little baby =/

[ewstokes]

Hi Elliot, I'm from WI too. The pictured skink (looks Irian Jaya?) doesn't look so healthy. Are you adopting it as a rescue? Do you have any full body pictures? I'm guessing the little guy wasn't taken care of so well. Toes can fall off due to shedding issues. Shedding issues can be caused by improper housing, among other things. My Popsicle was pretty sick when she was young, and she lost many of her toes (my exotics vet says it was related to infection). The mouth sore also doesn't look very good. I don't think I'd put cortisone on it though. I'd say keep it clean, especially after eating. If you do get this skink, definately take it to the vet. I don't know where you are located, but there are a few really good exotic specialists at the University of Wisconsin Vet School.

Yes I am rescuing her but I won't be able to afford any vet treatment for a couple months, which is better than the previous owner would ever do.

I am getting her this Saturday for 60 dollars cash, I would have to say thats a pretty decent offer wouldnt you? Oh yeah Im also driving about 70 miles to get him/her.

In the meantime, should I tell this young man to forget about the cortizon?
And what should I tell him to do, just clean the sore? Would it get better that way? How have people in the past dealt with this?

He says it eats and poops just fine. I think the only problem is the sore, and the missing toes, but that doesnt make it any less lovable. Ive actually just started breeding my bearded dragons and the "big man on campus" also known as Minkus, was bought as a rescue too. He had his foot bitten off by a cagemate, so I couldnt help myself in buying him. My family consists of
Male Crested Gecko (Winslow) (no tail)
Male Bearded Dragon (Minkus (only 3 feet)
Female Bearded Dragon (missing toes)
and soon to be this guy/gal. which has no toes and a lipsore

I dont have an obsession with misfit animals, lol, I just think they deserve great homes just like their physically sound brothers and sisters. and if i had to choose between one or the other id choose the one that most others wouldnt. and most of the time, they turn out to be the most rewarding in the end i think. the way they learn to use their handicaps.

I want to help her too, but I cant take her to the vet until I can afford it, which like I said wont be for a while.

Shes currently living in a 55 gallon at the current owners house, but when she moves in with me shes going ina 40 gallon breeder, which i think might give her a little more breathing space to turn about.

Here are some more pictures the seller provided me with:

[Marie]

Other than the missing toes and mouth sore, she looks nice and solid. I bet with a little love, she'll make a great pet. I've never had mouth troubles, but quite a few forum members have. Hopefully, they'll post their suggestions. Otherwise, send a PM to Zach or Deadeye. Deadeye does lots of rehab in Australia, and he could suggest a cost effective treatment.

[ewstokes]

thanks for the quick responses

anyone else have some insight?

[mom22wins]

Here is an clipping from the Care Sheet. Did you say you read this? If so sorry.

Mouth Rot
Mouth rot is an awful bacterial problem that stems from an infection in the mucus membrane. Inflamed reddish colored lips, mucus in the mouth, red bumps (don't get red bumps mixed up with their "teeth") or red swelling around the mouth are all signs. Causes can be an injury to the mouth, rostrum or face that was never properly taken care of. It can also simply be due to unsanitary living conditions. It's important to see a veterinarian immediately if you suspect mouth rot. It can usually be treated pretty efficiently if caught early enough. A common treatment is a 1% silver sulfadiazine cream. Ask your vet for directions regarding your skink's specific condition. The images below show what a mouth rot or viral/bacteria/fungus infection might look like. If the scabbing and bleeding is exterior only, treating is not hard. Keep the terrarium spotlessly clean, and remove all substrate. Use paper towels as a substrate. Be sure that clean water is changed more often—at least twice per day if possible—and feed solid foods such as whole blueberries. Refrain from sloppy juicy foods such as cat food, sliced tomatoes, mango, etc. We don't want anything sticking or interfering with the healing. Also, do not take them outside during this time. If the problem becomes, or is, interior, this is a bit more serious and will probably need to consult a reptile vet as interior infections are more likely a real form of mouth rot.

Unless you're an expert, any potential symptoms that are severe enough to give you a good scare should be checked over by an experienced reptile (herp) veterinarian. Proper diagnosis, antibiotics, and instructions can then be given, and treatment can usually even be administered from home. Keep a clean terrarium, proper temperatures, good diet, etc, and you may very well never have a problem. Don't get lazy, and don't neglect your pet. Perfunctory care will do nothing but cost you hundreds in vet bills, but if somebody is dim-witted enough to neglect their animal in the first place, I doubt they're smart enough to recognize an animal in need of veterinary care. Just be alert and aware! That's the key. Know the symptoms, research the symptoms. We are caring for living animals, and it's important that we be able to recognize problems, administer a solution, and/or make a responsible decision when and if an instance arises.

[ewstokes]

like i said, i dont have the money to take her to a vet. when i do i will. but in the meantime what can i do?

[mom22wins]

My opinion? Keep the wound clean and dab it with antibiotic ointment twice a day. See if that works.

[Tattoo]

Looks like you are new to the forum so That skinker looks IJ to me and pretty nice aside from the toes and mouth issues. You want to keep an eye on the wet foods in order to help keep the mouth dry. I agree with the others a good vet check when you can would be a good plan.

[Kya Ajiira]

are all his or her toes gone o.o

and im sure that if you take it you will give it good care and saving animals is always important. and nice collection of saved animals ^.^ i am glad they found a great home they deserved the love

[Fatal_S]

Keep it clean and dry, the antibiotic ointment may help, get to a vet once your able (money sucks) and hopefully it'll clear up within a few sheds. Looks like a nice IJ otherwise ^.^

[ewstokes]

id just like to say im a member of four other forums and i am very very impressed at how fast people respond on here. its a very nice community environment and the best one ive been to so far. thanks again guys and im excited to join your community

[megaabel]

good luck

[Bird_Brain]

like i said, i dont have the money to take her to a vet. when i do i will. but in the meantime what can i do?

I guess I have to play the mean guy here. I honestly think that if you cant afford the proper vet care, then you shouldnt get the animal. I mean that in the nicest way as possible. Its just one of my biggest pet peeves when someone "rescues" an animal but yet cant afford the proper care it needs.

On the other hand, if you do decide and get it (which it sounds like you have already decided), i wish you guys the best of luck. It is a really nice looking skink.

[Blotch]

I agree with brad to a certain extent, however it is hard to find a vet that knows what he's talking about in regards to blueys. It's hard enough here in Oz and they're native to us!

Just make sure you contact DeadEye. He rescues Bobtails every day, he lives, breathes and If it didn't mean killing them, I'm sure he'd eat them too!

Get REALLY good shots of the problem area. I mean really good. The clearer and closer the better. I don't think it has been confirmed to be mouth rot, it could be something like scales that have been removed and the area has become infected. I'm not willing to say what i think it is cuz the pics aren't good enough to show. But DeadEye will give you the best advice you can get.

Good luck!

[mom22wins]

id just like to say im a member of four other forums and i am very very impressed at how fast people respond on here. its a very nice community environment and the best one ive been to so far. thanks again guys and im excited to join your community

We're here to help!

[SailleSkinklover]

If you get this poor skink and it is confirmed mouth rot, drier foods such as mushrooms are good. (check the caresheet for other foods and what not to feed!)
Otherwise, everybody has given great advice.Definitly contact DeadEye! He's great. Also, I know you can't afford it right now, but its never too late to look for a good Herp Vet right now. Try looking at www.herpvetconnections.com
Type in your state at the bottom, and it should give a list of qualified herp vets in your area, and sometimes there are write ups from pet owners as well.
Good luck, keep us posted on what you decide, and Belated Welcome to the forum!
Saille

[Zach]

Hi there-

It looks like a big pus-filled blister on his mouth? Is that what I'm seeing essentially?

In my opinion, I'd ditch the the creams, ditch the substrates, and feed only dry catfood and some greens if he'll eat them. Maybe try chopping the hard food and greens up together in a food chopper.