Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've rescued another schnider skink, but this one is very sickly and I need advise on helping it to recovery.

1. Both his eyes have been shut since I got him, and have slight crusting.
2. He nearly always refuses to eat- I've gotten him to eat 3 mealworms in the last week by holding them up to his mouth with tweezers.
3. I HAVE seen him drink water
4. His body condition is not terrible, but is poor.

I have him in a 15 gal. glass aquarium with a 100w house bulb and a UVB bulb on him. Hes set up in sand with a pile of rocks in the corner which he likes to climb and bask on. The previous owner says hes been in this condition for a few months. I will try to bring him out of this myself, while leaving a vet visit as a last resort. Any ideas or advise are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Kerry Smith

First off I want to say I don't know anything about the husbandry needs of Schneider's Skinks so going to assume you know what you are doing when it comes to providing the proper husbandry for them.

However, given the fact the previous owner has told you he has been in this condition for a month and for the few days (I assume as you did indicate he would eat a few times for you) and hasn't shown any improvement..leaving a vet trip to the last possible resort is a bad decision. Take him to a vet now.

The fact his eyes are crusted shut is a very clear indication of one of several things. His eyes have been injured or infected and the discharge has sealed them shut. One thought that comes to mind is the previous owner used coiled UVB bulbs which produce harmful levels of UVB radiation (UV Index over 6 is considered dangerous even to us. See www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm about photo-kerato conjunctivitis caused by many brands of coiled UVB compact lights.

I definitely feel now is the time to get him to a vet, instead of waiting till he gets worse. As reptiles tend to hide their illnesses to avoid appearing sickly and weak, by the time it is noticeable usually indicates the problem is getting close to being fatal.
-----
PHLdyPayne