BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

cricket has been sleeping for 3 days now. i took him to the vet last monday and he has eye inflammation and a respiratory infection that he is taking meds for both. two days ago, i fed him and he wasn't really into it. then today when i tried to feed him he refused. he hasn't moved from the same spot. i pulled him out of hiding and he's acting like i woke him up. i put food in his mouth and he spit it out. he has never refused cat food before. is he trying to brumate? he hasn't started his medication yet, but will on: monday, so its not a reaction from the medication. if he is trying to brumate, what do i do because he's sick?? i'm so confused. if he is trying to brumate should i just let him sleep?? AAAA! how do i help my poor skink?


(PS: sorry if there are any misspellings)

Blueys can go all winter without eating so don't worry about a couple of days with no food. Also I don't think it's a good idea to put food in his mouth if he doesn't want it cause he isn't on the brink of starvation. He could be trying to brunate as it is winter or or just conserving energy because he doesn't feel great. I suspect he acted like you woke him up when you dug him out because ... well ... you did. If he is at the right temps and has water available don't panic. I am unclear about why you have not started his medications yet. Did the doctor tell you to hold off? How does he seem other than sleepy?

wa hope cricket will be fine =( hopefully the medications will help him/her out

haven't started meds yet, because the results just came in yesterday and the vet being a little over an hour away, i could not get over there to pick it up, even thought i tried, and they are not open on the weekend.

hum =/ still im sure it will turn out fine with time and keep us posted on her/his health

Cricket might be going into a shed, or just stressed from the vet, or could be starting to brumate. Do normal activities with him, get him his meds when needed, and otherwise just roll with the punches. Over time you'll become more relaxed with your skinkers mood swings.

thanks you guys . he seems to be doing better. i left his lights on and he crawled into them, then after warming up a little, he ate some, then buried himself again. if he's trying to brumate, i want to let him sleep, but being sick, i'm not sure it's good for him to do so.

Zach or Andrew (of any of the other experts out there) would need to confirm, but when my skink had symptoms of a URI, they told me to keep his lights on longer during the day and keep him warm so his body would heal more easily. If he is sick, you don't want him to brumate....being that this is the time of year that they want to sleep, you need to keep his lights on more...I believe Andrew told me to keep my lights on for like 18 hours a day while Squirt was sick, but this was a few years back so you may want to PM him or Zach and see what they say.

I'd say keep the lights and temps as if it was a normal day, that way,even if he does brumate there's less risk/stress on his body than if he was cold, and his internals wouldnt have to work so hard.

Are you sure theres actually a URI? It had sounded like the vet jumped the gun on that based on Cricket sneezing in the office, while being checked for the eye thing. (This from the thread about Cricket's eye.)
Me being me, I try and avoid things like antibiotics because I feel they're over-prescribed, and I know sneezes are normal for these guys as long as there's no discharge or runniness.
I agree though, PM Zach or Andrew on this one. Good luck with Cricket, he might just be getting mellow for the winter.

SailleSkinklover wrote:Are you sure theres actually a URI? It had sounded like the vet jumped the gun on that based on Cricket sneezing in the office, while being checked for the eye thing. (This from the thread about Cricket's eye.)
Me being me, I try and avoid things like antibiotics because I feel they're over-prescribed, and I know sneezes are normal for these guys as long as there's no discharge or runniness.
I agree though, PM Zach or Andrew on this one. Good luck with Cricket, he might just be getting mellow for the winter.

I'm suspicious as well. I remember sneezing scared me to death when I first got into BTS and there was nothing on the internet about the sneezing. A vet who isn't familiar with BTS would likely have the same fear when hearing the sneezing. Do you have a picture of the eye? It's that time of year for brumation so many of us will start seeing our skinks less and notice an increased lack of hunger.


Hi, Jacki!!

Zach wrote:

Hi, Jacki!!

Howdy Zach!

i too am suspicious of the RTI. i changed his bedding and he stopped sneezing. but they did do a blood test and it shows some sort of infection. plus his eyes seem to be getting slowly worse. now its both eyes, instead of only one. he's developed a pattern too: sleep a couple days, active one. on his active day he pigs out and drinks his entire water bowl which is about 8 oz. on the days he sleeps, he doesn't move. he stays in the same spot, the same position- its kind of worrisome. but the days he is active, he seems fine. i'm going to start the antibiotics tomorrow, just because there is an infection, RTI or not, and the eye drops too.

Seems to me if his eyes are infected that would show in a blood test. I think all vets run to U.R.I. because they no little about BTS. Just my opinion ... I could be off in the weeds.

Can anyone find out how many proven cases of the U.R.T.I have been found in your area or the USA, I was under the impression it was a shingle thing from Australia

Its a shame these so say expert reptile/exotic herp vets seem to know so little about Blueys(like sneazing is normal) most reptiles do it,be it to excreet excess salt, snot or debris, Iam sure my Iguana aimed it at us for fun. I think alot of them just second guess on past experience with other reptiles which I find very un-nerving.

Is your vet a specific Herp /exotics vet? I can't remember if the vet came recommended to you or if you found them on herpvetconnection.com. (just type in your state at the bottom, you should get a good list and comments)
Poor skinker, I would get a second opinion for sure now, because that eye thing is now occurring in the other eye. From what your vet had described, (eyelid popping back into place) that should NOT be contageous to the other eye. . .
If you are also in doubt, I would trust that instinct. See if you can find a reputable Herp vet around your area. (one that knows more than iguanas and leopard geckos and corn snakes!!)
Good luck with your poor buddy!
Saille