DISEASES

[megaabel]

Are there any symptoms for diseases that a baby can have noticable?

I want to be sure too look carefully tomorrow at the show... and I don't want to end up getting a sick or wild caught baby. So .... since I am not so experienced I want to look out for signs....

obviously TICKS!!

but anything else... I mean.. besides overall demeanor and appearance but what about their tongues... I notice that some of them have bluer tongues than others some are more pale blue... why is that?

Is that a sign of sickness?

[Fatal_S]

Skink tongues come in many colors or shades of blue. Some BTS have very dark tongues, some have only the tip of the tongue being blue. The color doesn't really make a difference. If you want to look for healthy animals, check:
-toes & tails - intact? missing?
-scales - damaged? mites?
-breathing - open mouth? odd pattern?
-nose & eyes - bubbles or liquid?
-back - odd bumps? MBD?

Keep in mind some skinks have quirks, such as mine sleeping with the tip of his tongue stuck out, but these don't necessariliy mean the skink isn't healthy. You always have the option to ask Andrew to have a look at any skink your thinking of buying, as I'm sure he'll know if anything is wrong.

Other people will post more I'm sure. Be sure to ask if the skink has had UVB lighting and find out what it's diet has been. Good luck.

[SailleSkinklover]

There's advice I read somewhere a while ago that a breeder should know the exact birthday of the skinks they're selling. If you get a vague or "I don't know" answer, beware as they could be wild caught. Find out the parent's lineage as well.
There is some good info on the caresheet about captive bred vs. wild caught, and what to look for. Thats probably where I got my info.
Good luck, tomorrow!
Can't wait for pics!

[Zach]

Yeah, the birthdays mean a lot to me. It's weird how knowing birth dates of BTS is rare because it's important for knowing exactly how old the animal is....

To me, if they don't know the birthdays, it means they didn't breed the animal themselves or don't care -- again, indos are IJ's will all be wild caught. And if you hear the term Long Term Captive or LTC it means a wild caught that has been in captivity for a long time.

Remember, Northerns are always captive bred so you're safe in that department, but talk to and find Andrew!!!! He'll help you and is 100% trustworthy.

[megaabel]

I totally have Andrew's number now and we've emailed... so I will be meeting w/him hopefully at the show today!
I will follow everyones' advise. THANKS GUYS!

I would have never felt prepared to actually get a bluey if it wasn't for all of you.


I am 100% ready! I will be back later today w/my new baby bluey! yeah!

[DeadEye]

Yes U.T.R.I
http://www.kanyanawildlife.org.au/learn ... _intro.php

My wife and myself look after 70 every spring , ticks the paralyasis type cause jelly bone and die from the venom .

tummy trouble ive had my own baby float on water , i used charcoal to jar something loose .lol MBD in small tanks ..Pet shops of late are full of shingles in my state . Poor things stand up at the glass all day , there backs will go crook ..parasite,s are badest IMO and this U.RT.I in a small area of w.a mothers give birth to sick babies that if are not given baytril will almost die in weeks , there eye,s bubble out jelly stuff , so there on the predetors dinner bell to , Ive seen babies with shock white mouths from tick venom , then jelly bone , die all of them , mum most likly had some big suckers on her , the poison can drop a donkey And there hardy .

This guy had 48 ticks on it many females , note the mouth they extract calcium from the babie , so they have no bone,s as we know just jelly, feel like a dead fish + other complications breathing .Here it is when it came in poor lil guy /girl

Note it cant stant and the legs bend like them lollie snakes ..very upsetting to see this

Ive brought 1 back with a mouth like this we dont know what it was , but she is back in the bush . - hope ya can read my spelling 8am cant see real well

[DeadEye]

Yes its hands on there preeety tough lil reptiles , water and food and the right heat , your cookin with gas there very lovable
all the best .
If your with Andrew he has a wealth of knowledge in all area,s


good 4 you love some pics ..