Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a skink from a breeder about 2 months ago that was about a foot and a half long. About a week and a half ago, he stopped eating and defacating. I started to do a lot of research on skinks and thought he may be impacted, so I started to soak him. He finally defacated after so long, but he was still bloated. I gave him a few drops of vegetable oil (closest I had to mineral oil), then started him on mineral oil once a day. About every other time I soaked him, which was about 3 times a day, he started passing some kind of green stringy stuff that smelled like rotten eggs. I think it is an infection, but I don't know exactly what it is or where to go from here. I am afraid he won't make it and really need some help! Thank you for any replies.

Deb

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Deb,

You didn't mention the species of skink. At any rate, it could very well be an impaction or the result of micro parasites. You might need lab work to determine the problem. At any rate, get to your vet ASAP. Discontinue the veggie oil and minimize stress. If A vet or lab is unobtainable, As a shot in the dark, you can try a Baytral treatment. That is in the scenario that the problem is parasitic in nature. If your skink is a Monkey Tail, Increase the humidity and soak the animal. Corucia's defacate primarily in high humid conditions. If a Blue-Tongue, it is a different story. You could message her/him along the length of the body-feel for any blockage-and try to alleviate a potential blockage.

I give these suggestions but I recommend the professional route first if possible.

Keep us informed and all the best!

Brian
SFCRC

Er, I think you mispoke (or mistyped?) Brian.
Baytril is an antibiotic, and as such would have no effect on parasites. I imagine you meant to say to use Baytil in case it was a bacterial infection.

However, without knowing proper dosage, (which is different for herps than for mammals as you know), or knowing how to properly give an injection and where, I don't think she'll be able to do much with Baytril.

But I do totally agree with you that the vet is the first and most important step.

arav.org (Assoc. of Reptile and Amphibian Vets) has a list of member vets, by state. Melissa Kaplan's site, anapsid.org, also has a state by state listing, as does herpvetconnection.com.

Please find a vet and go soon! (Not you Brian, the original poster.)

-Z