Health issue, please help

[jpearson]

I have had my eastern BTS for about 2 months. I have had other reptiles before, but never a BTS. My skink is about a year old.

Anyway, here is the issue. My skink has been sneezing over the past couple days more than usual and has been blowing out a clear mucus when he sneezes which I never noticed happen before.

He is eating and drinking the same as always, but does seem a little more irritable possibly.

I am worried that he may have a respiratory infection or something. I did take him outside briefly the other day in the sun, it wasn't hot outside, but was tee-shirt weather for me...perhaps it was too cold for him. Anyone, please let me know what the symptoms of an infection or cold might be so that I can decide how much I should worry about the situation. Thanks all!!

[Fatal_S]

Welcome to the forum! Sorry about the bad news bringing you though.

Signs of an RI are sneezing and liquid ooze/bubbles from the eyes and nose. Sounds like he might have an RI. I'd go to the vet.

[Blotch]

well actually - the first sign is generally crackling when they breathe. the other symptoms come along as they get worse.

[Leigh]

Hi, welcome mate, if you're still going to the vets, make sure its a GOOD reptile vet, there's a list in the main part of the site, it'll give you the nearest to you if one..... I'd keep the temps up in the enclosure all night ,they heal better hot, other sufferers will be along soon to help with first hand advice, good luck.

[jpearson]

Thanks for the advice so far. I kept the temp up last night and am monitoring him closely. I also found a vet that is pretty close, so I will see how that goes. I am glad I went to the forums about this. Your suggestions and greetings are very much appreciated.

[Fatal_S]

We're wishing you lots of luck!

[Tattoo]

Welcome Good luck with your buddy and do keep us updated. When you have him patched up we need a picture!

[Zach]

Hi there, welcome...

Actually, the reason blueys do sneeze is to blow exess dust and particles out of the nose, and clear mucus often comes right out with it. This doesn't mean they have any type of infection. Listen for a weezing sound, watery eyes and a sporadic appetite. Taking him outside on cool day will not give him an R.I. That's an old wives tale that cold weather causes someone to get a virus easier....at least I think?

Good luck!

[Leigh]

If the skinker got cold enough to not move properly or it was real wet ,I thought that could be the trigger,well low temps,and/or high humidity, what do you think Zach?

[Herptiles.net]

Mucus isn't necessarily a sign of a respiratory infection. A combination of excessive mucus and difficulty breathing (dyspnea) and/or audible breathing (crackling, popping or wheezing sounds) is considered to be a more confirmed sign that there is probably an infection. Mucus that is not clear (white, yellow, green, etc.) is a sure sign of infection, since it suggests that the mucus is laced with pus (nasty).

Cold temperatures do not give people colds and coughs, but extended exposure to cool temperatures can cause immunosuppression in reptiles and amphibians. The tolerance for "cooler than normal" temperatures varies greatly with the species and the individual. Blueys can tolerate cool temps pretty well, I very much doubt that a healthy skink would develop an RI from a bit of time outside on a cool-ish day. But an already sick or stressed skink might have an illness triggered from that kind of event... medicine is not always an exact science

You can increase his warm side temperature by a couple degrees (ensure he has access to appropriate cool temps to properly thermoregulate) to give him an immune boost. If the symptoms persist longer than a week, week and a half, or it worsens, then see a vet! A radiograph (x-ray) is one of the best diagnostic tools for respiratory infections, as lung congestion will be seen on the film. Bloodwork is sometimes indicated to make sure that everything else is going well in the animal's immune system.

Excessive mucus production that has no pathology (disease process) behind it might be attributable to conditions that are too dry. If the bluey is constantly exposed to super dry conditions, and has no humid hide to retreat to, the lungs can overcompensate and produce excessive mucus. Even herps that come from dry, dry deserts spend a lot of time in humid burrows and crevices, whose localized humidity can be 50-80% higher than the ambient humidity outside in the sun. Similarly, if the animal is in a really dusty environment with lots of particles that are inhaled, the respiratory system can produce excessive mucous if it's irritated.

[jpearson]

Thanks for all the info. From the info you all are giving me, I am starting to think that my skink doesn't have an R.I. after all. He hasn't sneezed nearly as much over the last day or so and I haven't seen any more of the clear mucus. His breathing has not changed at all and seems to be perfectly fine, no sounds or heaviness. Perhaps it was a combination of the humidity and possibly the bark substrate. The humidity level is always between 20 and 25%, possibly a little low. I live in somewhat of a desert climate here in Utah so maybe that is part of the reason. Also, my hygrometer is not digital and may not be all that accurate. The substrate in the terrarium is "reptile bark" that was recommended by PetsMart when I bought my little dude. It does have some bark dust that gets on him when he is burrowing around. This dust is normally the cause of his sneezing. Also, he is just starting to shed today so maybe that somehow factors into all of this. I am keeping a close eye on him to see if he develops any of the R.I. symptoms and I will keep you all updated.

Sorry for the long-winded reply, THANKS again all for your help and I will get some pics and a little more info on my profile right away.

[Herptiles.net]

Good to hear that the little guy is probably okay.

Inappropriate humidity can predispose to respiratory tract infections, though. Humidity that is too low dries out the respiratory tract, which relies on ciliae (little finger-like projections) and mucus to trap and eliminate pathogens (like bacteria, fungi, etc., that may cause an infection). If it's dried out, it doesn't work as effectively.

You can fix this by giving him a humid hide: Get a plastic container large enough for him to enter and turn around in, cut a hole in the side for entry-exit, and fill it with damp sphagnum moss, or damp paper towels (I prefer the moss). Keep it moist, but clean it about every 1-2 weeks. This gives your BTS the option to be moist when he wants to be, which will help his respiratory tract and also reduce the incidence of chronic dehydration (which is very common in captive herps).