Help with new skink - Need Advice

[trexandtrucks]

Hello all,

New to the board and we just got our first skink, his name is hank. We got him from a friend that couldnt take care of him any more. But the poor guy has some issues. He is 2 years old and when we got him his eye was crusted shut and the other eye looked crusty. The previous owner had some medications they gave us with hank (eye drops, foot cream) the name of the eyedrops is gentamicin. We called the previous vet and they told us it was prescribed because his eyes were bothering him due to shedding. We have been giving him the drops and his eyes dont seem to be responding. He has opened them but seems to shut them alot and it seems like they bother him. also the poor guy only has 2 claws left (rest on them look like the fell off) We have provided him a really good home and nice setup. He is very freindly and loves to be handled. But we feel so bad for him. is there any advice anybody can give

Thanks so much

[Fatal_S]

What kind of lighting/bulbs does the skink have? That could be a possible cause.

[trexandtrucks]

Well when we first got him the bulb they gave us with the cage was a 75 watt heat lamp that couldnt even warm up one side of the tank. But now we use a 200 watt on one side and it gets to 1oo degrees. we have 2 light bars on the other side.

[Fatal_S]

Does it have a UVB bulb?

[Tattoo]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear Hawk is in rough shape. Are you using a UVB florescent and if so what kind is it?

[trexandtrucks]

No not using a UVB but we have only had him for a couple of days - i read that a UVB is not necessary is that not true? What does it help with?

[mewzic-7123]

UVB is necassary, look on the care sheet that has loads of info, uvb will help the skink with calcium and Vitamin D3 which are inportant to the skinks health.

[Blotch]

UVB has NEVER been proven to be necessary with Blue Tongues. I keep most of my guys without UVB and they are doing just as good as the guys with the Flouro.

The only REAL positive to be proven is the way the see things. Under a Flouro light - food apparently stands out more due to the colouring of the lightwaves. I don't know the entire scientific babble about it - but In regards to calcium etc... UVB has NEVER been proven to be a necessity for blueys.

[Fatal_S]

But that rules out the bulb as a cause of the eye problems. Posting some pictures could really help us see what's wrong.

Let's assume it's a shed problem like the vet says (I doubt it). It is possible he hasn't been shedding the eye area properly. You need to moisten the eyes, get a warm, wet cloth and put it over his head and eyes for 30 min a day. Then use the cloth to rub at the eyes gently, seeing if any shed comes loose. Don't expect anything for a while, and don't try to force anything. Also give the skink a humid hide in it's tank.

I'm guessing your skink has an eye infection. Could be he got something stuck, or he's sick, or anything. Find a good reptile vet, and get another opinion.

Truly, pictures, many of them and as close in and clear of the eye, would be a huge help for us on the forum.

[Blotch]

Uhh wouldn't a wet cloth over the head for 30mins a day be a good way of increasing the chances of your skink getting an URTI???

[aggiegirl]

Welcome to the forum. If you haven't perused the caresheet on this site, please do so. We are glad that Hank is in better hands and we live to help skinkies in need. That said, pictures help us provide better advice.
I second the advice about a good herp vet as your guy sounds like he needs some real help. Also, gentamycin can cause problems if you use it for too long and you need to watch that.
I agree with Fatal that shedding problems might not be the cause of his foot problems. If multiple blueys are housed together, they might consider toes appetizers. If you notice skin built up around the remaining digits, I might change my vote. In which case, I would soak them in water and use a soft towel to gently massage skin off where it is built up.
Pictures would help us with the eye situation. I would do what Fatal recommends and use a warm wet cloth to wipe away the crusting but I would skip the moist hides and would not leave wet cloths on for period of time. What substrate are you using or did the prev. owner use? The eyes worries me b/c I'd hate for him to lose sight if this spirals out of control. The fact that two problems are occurring is probably evidence of poor husbandry but it could also point to a systemic problem (fungal, bacterial, etc.) Of course, I am always paranoid so most people will tell you to ignore this comment.
Think of UV having pretty much a twofold purpose. UVA is necessary for "emotionally healthy" skinks. UVB is necessary for healthy bones. I suppose that isn't really a good explanation, but it does simplify it. I take mine out daily (b/c I live where it is usually warm) for natural UV rays but I still have an artificial UV light on my baby.
Make sure your temps are appropriate (basking area circa 100 and cool area in the 70's) and your diet is good. This will encourage healing for your poor guy.
Post pictures of Hank with his enclosure and we may modify our advice for you!
Good luck!

[Blotch]

Think of UV having pretty much a twofold purpose. UVA is necessary for "emotionally healthy" skinks. UVB is necessary for healthy bones. I suppose that isn't really a good explanation, but it does simplify it.

Sorry to constantly dispute this, but it is simply not true. UVB has NEVER been proven to be beneficial to Blueys. It may be beneficial to other Reptiles, but it have never been proven with Blueys. As for the Emotional health of Blueys - Well once again - Never been proven. While it will not hurt your bluey to have the appropriate UVB lighting - it doesn't hurt them to be without it. If you search the internet - you will find alot of conflicting views on this topic, but at the end of the day nothing has been proven.

As long as your bluey is getting all the nutrients it needs, all should be well. Also - i don't want anyone saying that they need the UV to convert calcium etc.. because as I have just stated - it has not been proven.

So once more - it won't hurt to give your bluey the appropriate UVB (appropriate as to not burn your blueys eyes), But it won't hurt not to either.

[Fatal_S]

Some skinks with shed problems get a 30 min soak each day, by some of our top keepers, to try and help the problem. I wouldn't suggest it for a long period of time, but try it for a week, see if there's an improvement. URTI would probably be caused by a humid environment all the time, 30 min a day shouldn't hurt it. Do try to leave the nose and mouth uncovered by the cloth though. It's the eyes you want the cloth over.

[jasjmm27]

In regards to UVB, I say read as much as you can for yourself. There is no "proof" to support using it and, in my opinion, if you can take your bluey outside once a week at least, for a few hours, then I think it should be OK...however, if you don't let your blueys outside very often (or ever), it is my opinion that UVB lighting would be highly beneficial.

Check out the links on the caresheet and make the decision yourself...

Here is an interesting link as well:

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/whatreptilesneed.htm

[sheslikeheroin]

glad to hear your skink is in your more caring hands. like everyones said we need pics to help assess the issue. everyone has given some solid advice and be sure to read up on the caresheet. also get a second opinion from another herp vet.
Blotch though uvb may not be *proven* as beneficial for blueys it is probably still a good preventitive measure against MBD. even if it's not proven absolutely nescessary i firmly believe it has its benefits. and don't forget blotch unlike those of us in north america you've got the ability to let your blueys out for a little while and soak up some natural rays in their natural environment.

[Blotch]

very true - But I'm just a fan of people knowing the facts rather than propaganda. Facts are that there has been no scientific evidence to prove that UVB is beneficial for blueys. Granted in other herps it has, but not in Blueys, and this is what we are talking about.

In regards to the MBD argument. UVB lighting is still not needed. There are suppliments that can be used. And There is still no Evidence to state that without UVB that blueys will get MBD. It's more likely that a bluey under UVB lighting with a crappy diet containing no real nutrients will get MBD as opposed to one with a good diet under UVB lighting.
At the end of the day - no-one can argue against this statement as there is no evidence to the contrary, only opinions. (which I'll glady accept and talk about).

Each to his own, I just believe if this sort of convo is gonna happen, best to put both side forwards and let the people make up their own minds rather than stating one thing and making out like it's gospel.

[Fatal_S]

But I believe it is proven you can poison your animals with supplements.

I don't think UVB will ever be proved, because I don't think anyone would be willing to do this type of test. I love scientific tests, but I could never do one like this where chances are I'd be causing some major damage in the long term. I believe UVB is necessary, so I use it. If it's not necessary, then I'm making a mistake, but it's what I believe, so it's what I do.

[Blotch]

The amount of blueys that have been kept worldwide without the use of UVB states it's not needed - unfortunately - these don't qualify as proof. As I said earlier though - each to their own. I have some under a UVB and some not - all are the same.

In regards to suppliments - finding out what the right dosage is part and parcel of being a responsible pet owner.

[Leigh]

,you'll find (if you stay )this is the best site in the world for Bluey info and tips, follow the caresheet, for most things are on it, read it quite a few times as your questions could be answered there. The food chart has a great list of healthy options on it, you can supply UVB if you want( I do ), because I use a spot lamp for heat, the UVB will complete the light spectrum closer to natures(Zach's Rule, better to have it and not need it, than the other way around). Calci dust if you think the diet is lacking it(I only dust superworms and locusts) feed pesticide free snails (best Bluey food on the planet),calcium shelled meat pie ,(IMO) greens are for the calcium part of the diet and can be refused by a lot of skinks so lots of people blend the food to stop it being picked at.Shedding issues can be a pain,I let mine have a pie dish on stilts ,he will happily sit/bathe in it for as long as he likes (great for stuck toe shed) and helps with dry belly scales, as long as the humidity in the tank isnt higher than 40% most of the time he'll be fine. Last thing for now, THE PICTURE LAW, send in loads as often as you can, this will help us to help your skink in times of trouble, and it'll get you freindly replies to your posts

[trexandtrucks]

I will get you guys some pictures of his eyes and his tank tonight. hopefully it will help to figure out whats going on

thanks for all your help