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Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:33 am
by ReptiLover43
Hello,
I'm new to this forum and joined because I got a new BTS two weeks ago and he/she isn't doing well AT ALL!!!
When the baby arrived( got it online), the packaging was terrible and it was already skinny. I tried contacting the breeder about it, but he ignored my messages. I tried to feed it, but the skink barely eats anything. At first, I thought it was still settling in. Now (since last night) it has started having spasms every few hours and ends up on its back. I'm about to resort to force-feeding. I'm setting up a vet appointment tomorrow, but can anyone help shed some light on what's happening to my baby???

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:00 pm
by Bird_Brain
I don't think anyone would be qualified enough to make a good assessment of what's going on (Kenn maybe able to help, but again, not really able to diagnose over the Internet).

I personally would avoid force feeding. I think the stress involved would do more damage than good. Try to keep it warm and hydrated. Good luck at the vets! Care to say who you purchased it from?

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:12 pm
by Katrina
Yes, don't force feed - just keep it warm until you can get it to a qualified vet. Good luck, please let us know how it turns out!

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:59 pm
by kenn
ReptileKing wrote: Try to keep it warm and hydrated. Good luck at the vets! Care to say who you purchased it from?

Indeed.
As I read your story, it's POSSIBLE your skink has hypocalcaemia. Lack of Calcium.
That's when symptoms occur as:
-anorexia
-spams
-rachitis
-tremors
-rubber jaws
-...

I would go to a vet, he can evaluate to inject calciumborogluconate (or something else) and use his skills to
a) try to recover your animal
b) force feed it

Because of the slim body, I would evaluate also some faeces and take a RX-radiograph.

I hope we aren't to late for this animal...

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:33 pm
by ReptiLover43
Well, went to the vet and after 2 hours of anxiously waiting, the doctor said the baby looked like it hadn't been eating for some time and was dehydrated (even though he, aka, Moe, drinks water everyday). He gave me some supplement food that I mix with water and... well... I have to force-feed Moe once a day until he starts eating on his own again. Unfortunately, the stress of being force-fed by the doctor and the trip to and from the doctor caused him to have another seizure. It was so bad, I thought it killed him, because he didn't move or even breathe for 5 minutes. Thinking my new baby had died, I started to cry and was getting ready to bury him and all of a sudden, his tiny foot moves.
He inflates his body and pokes out his tongue and breathes!!! Hope he pulls through this tough time and you can be sure I'm going to do everything I can to keep him safe, warm and fed!!

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 4:03 pm
by Richard.C
Probably dehydrated from before it got to you,takes a bit to get over,but good sign its drinking for you

Sounds like a shonky breeder sending u a problem animal,possably an importer,but who knows,hopefully the little tyke comes good

Im not sure about force feeding him,that causes alot of stress,especially to an already stressed animal,can i ask you what you are feeding him,or trying to?

If hes drinking fine you could try some raw egg and more pulverised food,might lap it up so get nourishment minus the stress,other wise thetes some foods they love,even picky eaters barely reject,eg garden snails,bluetongue candy

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:02 pm
by ReptiLover43
He's having seizure-like spasms for frequently now... and keeps passing out ever two hours. I don't think he's going to last the night...

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:31 pm
by ReptiLover43
He passed away.

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:51 pm
by Fatal_S
Very sorry to hear that. Thank you for caring and trying to help him :hug:

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:09 pm
by Katrina
Very sorry to hear that. :(

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:24 pm
by Scotts1au
Sounds like you did everything that you could. I have heard of similar symptoms after tropical blueys have been exposed to cold temperatures.

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:42 pm
by Richard.C
Sorry to hear that,the spasms could be the thrashing around often seen in pretty sick reptiles towards the end,not a good result when you just purchase an animal and they send u a problem animal,please dont feel discouraged,as this isnt the usual with juvie blueys

Definatly dont buy from that seller again,passing on crook lizards,especially online is a pretty low act

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:54 pm
by kenn
Yuk!

Temperature was indeed another option, trauma, tumour, .. (but all guesses)

I feel sorry we (and the vet) couldn't help you more.

Isn't there a guarantee law (I know here in Belgium, in your case for example: you could let an offical recognized vet do an autopsy and when the cause of death was due to the breeders fault,..he has to pay you the ammount back, or give you another animal of the same value) Offcourse, it doesn't bring your baby skink back.
:|

Makes me angry :nono: these people who give/sell sick animals!

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:56 am
by dsteamn
Oh. I feel so badly for you. Just know that you did everything right. I hope you will decide to get another one at some point. They are amazing animals and make such wonderful pets. They are normally very resilient little fellows. That just shows what horrible shape he was in when you got him.

Where do you live? There are several good breeders on this site who I'm sure you would have better luck with when you are ready for another one.

We're all so sorry for your loss.

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:30 pm
by StaceyLeigh
So sorry for your loss!

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:56 pm
by Bluish
Sorry to hear about your little guy :( .
Fauna classifieds has a boi (board of inquiry) where you can check to reputations of online sellers and leave feedback. Leaving feedback (positive or negative) helps other hobbyists decide who to deal with and who to avoid. Many sellers will also be more willing to make things right if they know you are going to post on the boi. If you receive an animal in rough shape it is beneficial to take pictures or video as proof when problems arise.

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:17 am
by taniya91
this is horrible...im sorry :(

Re: Sick Skink- WON'T EAT AND SPASMS!!!!!

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:15 pm
by Spindown
How terrible, I also HIGHLY recommend sharing your story on the Fauna Classifieds BOI like Bluish has mentioned. PLEASE share your story with others so that others wont support such an awful person that seller is :(