Rescue skinks update

[Katrina]

Hi Everyone -

Bad news. The little one was very lethargic all day, which had me incredibly worried. Took them both to the vet a little while ago (it was the first appointment we could get), and the vet prescribed both of them Chloropalm - big one gets 0.25ml and little one gets 0.15ml orally. Their scales are pinky-red tinged on the underside (not ringed like in Luce's pictures, but still a color change), so it seems like it is septecemia.

The vet chose this one because they had already been on Baytril for 3 weeks in early February, and it didn't cure the infection.

Big one is still active and its health hasn't gone down, but the poor little one is really lethargic. I didn't want to bath it today, because I figured the stress of the vet would be enough. So I feel awful right now - I'm really worried about them both, little one especially. Poor little guys - we've only had them since Sunday night, so they must be pretty stressed right now, which isn't helping.

The vet also told me to pick up some eye gel to help around the eyes - lots of stuck shed, especially on little one, which is partially closing the eyes after they sleep, until we soak them a bit.

I'm going to go hug Kira now.

[Lucifer_Spades]

I'm so sorry, I hope the little guy pulls through. He's made it this long so he's obviously stronger than Quinn was and the antibiotics should help.

Keep their temps up and keep them on paper towels and make sure you keep everything nice and clean, wash your hands before you mess with them and try not to mess with their faces too much untill the infection gets better. Still try and soak them a bit to work the shed off but don't try pulling it all off now or you can open it up to more infection.

I'm rooting for you guys, they are no where near as bad as Quinn was so they have a better chance. Keep us updated.

Oh and I thought of a few names as well:
Tala
Ridley
Mayna
Laural
Aurah
Lila
Keno
Taj

That's all I thought of for ideas right now.

[Katrina]

Hey Luce -

I really want this little one to get better, so he can know how loved he is. Right now he is asleep under his piece of driftwood, very labored breathing. I won't be pulling at the shed too much at all - I am really worried about him making it through the night though. Unfortunately it was an abrupt turn for the worse, which is a very reptile thing to do.

Big one is doing better - asleep in the humid hide again.

Thanks for the name suggestions - I want to name them quickly.

Temps are up, lights are on all night (heat lamps) and they are on paper towel. I hate waiting, but at least I know I've done everything that I can for now. Thanks for all the help / advice and support!

[Lucifer_Spades]

If you want to e-mail me for anything you can send anything to Lucifer_Spades@yahoo.com I'll get it immediately because that one goes right to my cell phone.

i'm really pulling for you. There have too many skinky deaths lately. But remember that it can happen and try to be as prepared as you can. Hope for the best plan for the worst. But at least he made it this long and is in good hands. You got it to a vet and are doing all you can.The rest is up to fate.

[Lisa]

Yes, I think it's better to just leave him alone for now to work through his illness with the aid of heat and the antibiotcs. Build-up of shed on its own will not kill a bluetongue, it's just a sign of neglect and usually points to more serious problems, as the case seems to be with your little one. The shed build-up can wait until he's strong enough to cope with the stress of it all. Of course it would be unintentional on your part, but it will stress him none the less, and he really doesn't need that right now.

I think that goes for the bigger one, too. If shed build-up is disrupting his ability to breathe then yes, have a go at removing it. But apart from that I really think you'll need to take it slow. They have lived with the excess shed for some time now, so it will take time to remove it. Don't try to remove it all at once, concentrate on getting them healthy on the inside because then they will have healthier sheds and will be able to do some of it themselves. The reason they have not been shedding well is probably due to poor overall condition in addition to poor husbandry, so now that you will be able to correct those two things then you are halfway there - but still a long way from the finish line! You and they are running a marathon not a sprint race.

I think the best course of action for now is as little disruption to him as possible, other than to administer his meds and ensure he's warm. They are fighters and tough little buggers so a little bit of faith, hope and patience may be the best way you can help him now.

Good luck, I really hope they come good for you. Fingers crossed

[Katrina]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the advice.

I haven't given them baths today, because of the stress of the vet. I kind of figured that the shed could wait - I really don't want to hurt them at all, so we will leave them be for now.

I did go out and get the tear gel the vet recommended, because little one's eyes had closed up completely, so I think that was contributing to the inactiveness. I put some on, and the eyes are mostly open now, so it is moving about, so I think that helped.

I can't believe how strong the little guy is - well, both of them. Apparently this has been going on for 3 months of more now, so I know it can't be fixed overnight. I just hope the little one lasts long enough to know how loved it is, and to get to be a spoiled brat like Kira.

Thanks again - will keep you posted.

[Helikaon]

i would keep up the bathing it is to keep them hydrated via absorption through the cloacal opening. without hydration your skinks can go down hil dramatically very quickly sick skinks do not drink much.

just on a side i use a formula that is a reptile electrolyte liquid that i add to the bath this means they get all the electrolytes they need in the soaking. this can bring some perk back into there state.

[Fatal_S]

Beer also has electrolytes, can I give that to my skinks? Sorry, when I hear electrolytes, I think beer.

[Helikaon]

when did beer get electrolytes? it fermented sugar.........

[Lucifer_Spades]

when did beer get electrolytes? it fermented sugar.........

Most things have electrolytes of some type. Electrolytes are simply substances with free ions that conduct electricity. Common table salt when dissolved is an electrolyte.

[Helikaon]

well yes because it is sodium chloride. but you know what i meant...electrolytes that help.

[Fatal_S]

Maybe it's just Canadian beer? Babies low on electrolytes are doctor recommended to have beer. Not really sure the details though, as both beer and babies are gross.

[Katrina]

Good news - little one made it through the night. I figured if there was ever a time for it to give up, last night after the stress of the vet and new home, while the antibiotics still weren't working much would be it.

I put the tear gel on his eyes to open them up this morning, and then tucked him back into bed to rest, but now that he can see he wants his little head poking out!

I will leave them both alone for a while, when I get home they will both get tear gel and a bath - thanks for the advice Helikaon. I will just soak them, not rub at shed or anything! Any idea where to get the electrolytes or what to look for?

Thanks everyone!

[The Londoner]

Hi hope both of the little guys get well soon your doing a good job and giving them a chance to have a happer life. Sue

[Helikaon]

the stuff i just got is called spark, its a concentrate electrolyte replacement for birds and small animals, their are a few other brands out there should be some over where you are. they'll be right just keep on showing them love. my opinion is when they start eatign is when you can start removing some of the shed. do the serious areas. eyes, nares, mouth, tail tip and feet/toes. because these are the areas where only one shed layer can cause damage so they need to be clean.

[Katrina]

Thanks - right now I'm just waiting to see how they improve, which is really tough.

The big one ate all its food today, it seems to be alright, mostly sleeps in its humid hide, so we're leaving it to rest other than antibiotics and baths. The face is better than the others, so I'm not picking at shed much for the time being.


The little one has now been named Nemo, unfortunately because I was worried about it dying without a name. It is looking really sick - just sleeping, labored breathing. We are putting the tear gel on its eyes, which opens them up but they close up soon after, so I'm going to pick up antibiotic eye drops from the vet tomorrow. I really hope that Nemo hangs in there, but I'm not very optimistic. I will just leave it sleep until it is time for the antibiotics - I gave it a bath earlier today to try to keep it hydrated and it perked up and wandered around and seemed alright, but it seems exhausted right now. Poor little angel - its so hard just to watch it and not be able to do anything.

The name is Nemo because even though it is missing all but one toe, and walking pretty much on the palms of its hands with one arm healed in an odd position due to a broken bone, in the baths it swims around very well - it is always placed in shallow water, but seeks out the 'deep end' of the bath tub and swims well using its tail!! So cute.

[Helikaon]

do you mean labored breathing due to a mucous buildup?

[Katrina]

Due to infection / illness / shed build up I believe. The vet said there might be respiratory disease, although for Nemo I think it is mostly due to shed build up around the nostrils.

I'm not doing much to him right now, just letting him sleep to try to fight off the infection. I don't want to stress him out at all - like Lisa said, its been living with the shed build up for a while, so a few more days won't hurt. I really hope the little guy has a couple days of fighting left in him, so the antibiotics can start helping.

[Raven_Vivi]

I'm rooting for ya!~ ;D

Hope they both make a speedy recovery!

[Helikaon]

well that is your choice to make, honestly i would have cleaned the nares out. if you have a nebuliser i would recommend useing that on him as well no chemicals just dilute saline water added to the machine. and i can tell you that orall antibiotics will be working within the animal in no more then 2 hrs after giving.