Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone. We have a baby Merauke Blue tongue skink and I noticed this morning that she has a "fat lip". A few days ago, she had something stuck to the corner of her mouth, and I assumed it was cooked ground turkey. When I pulled it off, it seemed to be something else, but definitely fleshy. Then I gave her entire mouth a good inspection and everything seemed fine. Today, I looked at the same spot and it is swollen and dry, kind of like a scab, but not red. It is just kind of a cream color, like the scales around it. I tried to post a pic, but the file was too big, so I have to keep playing with that. Anyway, she will be under close observation for the next few days with a vet visit if she worsens or doesn't improve. Any ideas what it might be? Thanks,
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Diego & Tiffany
SNAKES
4.1.2 Corn Snakes(Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.1.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
2.0.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
0.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
2.2.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.0.0 Savannah Monitor
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos

Diego & Tiffany,
BTS will chew on just about anything. Sometimes this causes a small sore spot on the lip and gum. This can grow into a nasty case of Stomatitis (mouth rot) if left unchecked - untreated.

You can clean the area with a cotton ball or soaked q-tip. Use either Betadine (10% solution) or Nolvasan (there are generics). Then apply a topical antibiotic. You can get a triple antibiotic cream or ointment at most drug stores. Repeat this daily, and you can curb it before the animal has to be treated by a vet with antibiotics.

If you don't see an improvement within a few days - go see a vet! Continue cleaning and treating until you are sure the area is healed.

Morgana

www.reptayls.com

Morgana,

We have been monitoring our BTS very closely the past few days, and the swelling is gone. Also, she shed this morning, and we are back to normal. Should we still try to treat this, or let it go? Once again, thank you for your reply.

BTW, here are some pictures of our baby exploring her new and bigger home. She is really having a good time burrowing in her new substrate and checking everything out.

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Diego & Tiffany
SNAKES
4.1.2 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.1.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
2.0.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
0.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.0.0 Savannah Monitor
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos

It's always nice when problems turn out to be less than expected. I would definately keep an eye on her mouth though. These skinks love to chew on stuff - even as adults - we see them chomp down on a stick or something. Then it turns brown a few days later.

Great pictures...!

Morgana