Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I've never used forums, so sorry if I am really lame at this, but I just need all the input I can get. Today I went to the pet store and got a Fire Skink. The guy said he was a male, but also said he had forgotten about the poor guy and it showed, he is skinnier than what most skinks usually are. Anyways, I bought some mealworms for the skink, but he doesn't seem to have an appetite at all. This could be because he's in shock from the new environment, but I'm still worried. What if he has some kind of viral infection due to malnutrition and it's messing with his appetite?

Also, when I handle him (he is very friendly for being neglected and rarely handled)individual, semi translucent scales come off. I am not sure if this is a form of shedding or something to be worried about. Also, he has been keeping his eyes closed quite often. I gave him a warm bath and rubbed his underside because I read that that helps with digestive problems, and he kept his eyes open the entire time.

I'm just really desperate, and concerned, and yes, I can go to the vet right away, however that isn't very cheap, and I was hoping to get some input/ideas before I do that.

I haven't had skinks in a while, but if I were in this situation I would double check the husbandry and not handle the skink for a while, sometimes the stress of a new home can be pretty taxing on herps. The skin sounds like a bad shed, but from where the poor thing came from, I would expect that. A vet visit would be good, but if the skink had been neglected as you said, just getting the husbandry right and getting some TLC may be all you need to bring this guy around!
keep us posted!
just want to add- is this pet store known for neglecting animals? If they do this on a regular basis they should be reported to your local animal control. I know you were trying to do the right thing, but buying from places like this will just give them $ to do the same thing to the next pet, and the next one may not be as lucky as yours!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Oh, I have been leaving him alone for the most part now that I have calmed down a bit (:

That's a relief to hear, about the shedding. I guess I should have added that he's not missing patches of scales despite the scales falling off, so that probably really narrows it down to a bad shed. And now that you mention it, the cage they had him in at the pet store, it wasn't very wide, it was tall, like the terrariums generally used for chameleons. I don't think they really did their research with skinks, because they obviously aren't climbers. And not only that, but I don't think they had any form of uv lighting, just a heating lamp, and even if they did, I don't think it would reach him at the bottom because they had a lot of branches and plastic plants that hid the bottom from most light. I'm guessing he is so thin and has no appetite because of this? I've done my homework, and have taken care of smaller reptiles before, and I know they need a basking light to keep up their metabolism and a lot of other important health related things.

And I can't say for sure. I only go in there when necessary because they are overpriced, and I kind of get sad. I don't really notice it with the rodents or birds, but the puppies and kittens they carry always seem to be really antisocial and afraid of human contact. A friend told me this is because they come from puppy/kitten mills, but still. The fish seem to be pretty healthy, but fish don't require much attention or care in the first place, just tank maintenance and regular feeding. The reptile section is what I notice the most, obviously. This could be normal, but most of the lizards are usually missing quite a few toes and even tails, and have pretty poor coloration. The healthiest looking reptiles there were two beardie mates, a baby albino corn, and two very large boas they have at the front.
And, I have never bought an animal from them before. I guess this is a lesson learned for me ):. I will def keep you updated though!

Bad news, he didn't make it. I know, I had barely had him too, but I did everything I could. I guess he was just much too far gone when I had bought him, because on closer inspection, I'm pretty sure he was extremely dehydrated. I couldn't do the skin test since he was so thin and skinks have tighter skin anyways ( plus I didn't want to stress him out too much), but his eyes were sunken in. He wouldn't drink either and I supplied him with plenty. Both food and water.

It feels awful. I have doctored box turtles, tortoises, and even a young green iguana that were all very ill. I should have said no to the guy because he gave me the skink for not even a third of the original price. The guy knew he was going to die, but I was just too stubborn and wanted to try and help him.

I just have to wonder how long his neglect and suffering had been going on, since reptiles are hardy anyways. Gosh I wish I could have saved him.

So sorry you lost him, I understand. I've taken on very ill animals numerous times over the years, and I only lost one- it was a small iguana who had endured severe neglect- even though I did all I could, I still felt awful.

The one thing you can do for your deceased skink is to REPORT this store- give detailed examples of the neglect, especially with the reptiles which inspectors may not know enough about to notice the signs. Even if they don't fine him or shut him down, it'll scare him. Report him again and again over time if things don't get better.

It's worth it!

so sorry you lost him, as the founder of a reptile rescue, I have been there to many times, and it hurts every time.

I agree w/ AnnaCB, I would report the pet shop, and heck, even to hurt them in the wallet, try to get your $ back! some shop owners are true animal lovers, others are just greedy a$$es that need to be taught a lesson!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!