update on monster..and more questions

[monster]

After reading everyones advice-
-I attempted to increase heat (with both daytime and nighttime lamps). I have an 18x18x36 aquarium with a 100w daytime light and a ceramic heat light for the night.
- increased humidity using a mini personal desk humidifier i have been running almost non stop, misting his cypress mulch bedding, bathing him every 2-4 days
-bought a vitamin supplement that I was force feeding him in his food with a syringe
-he has been on antibiotics for over a month now (lately though he has been fighting me more and making himself throw up- it ends up being a 40 minute process to get them into him )
-fucidin eyedrops
-I also bought this Vit A eyedrop (supposed to be for turtles with closed eyes) that I have been applying

We have seen a HUGE improvement in the crackly breathing- he now seems to be breathing normally again- YAY
-however- his eyes are still very closed- they open after fucidin ointment application, or after giving him a bath- but once i check on him a few hours later they are always closed again and look red and scratchy. They also sometimes look like they are forming bubbles/watery.

He still eats well- but is sleeping a lot (I think because of the fact its winter & also he will be shedding soon)

I am at a loss regarding what to do about his eyes.
Sometimes they appear to be looking better- then they all of the sudden seem to go bad again.I am not sure if it is the lighting, sickness, vitamin defficiency, or maybe if the initial irritation just hasnt been given a chance to heal properly because he is scratching his eyes when I am not looking? I have noticed his nose is sometimes quite raw too- so i think this could be part of the reason....im just wondering if anyone else has any suggestions?

Has anyone ever used human eye lubricating drops on a skink? I personally have used an eye gel myself that i was considering trying as a last resort (tears naturale by Alcon), but I wanted others opinions first.

Thanks for any advice!

[Meeper]

I know you can use regular, unmedicated eye lubricants on small animals (cats/dogs)... (I work at an animal clinic, so that's what I see in my experience) But I would wait and see what the skinky people around here advise.

[Susann]

so his tank is now 24 on the cool end at night, and 90-100 on the warm end

I'm really hoping you are mixing °C and °F... 24°C is OK on the cool side, 24°F is not; 90-100°F is good on the warm side, obviously 100°C is not.

-he has been on antibiotics for over a month now (lately though he has been fighting me more and making himself throw up- it ends up being a 40 minute process to get them into him )

If you are stressing him out this much I suggest you ask your vet about doing injections instead. Either that or you have to time administering the meds before he eats; if he's struggling so much that he's forcing up food that he ate days ago, even just the previous day, then you may have to look into doing injections (usually administered every 3 days), or the shot combo previously mentioned in another thread.

-however- his eyes are still very closed. They also sometimes look like they are forming bubbles/watery.

Usually seen in animals with far progressed M.I.

He still eats well- but is sleeping a lot (I think because of the fact its winter & also he will be shedding soon)

Both good signs as long as he becomes "normally" active when removed from his tank and handled.

I am at a loss regarding what to do about his eyes. I am not sure if it is the lighting, sickness, vitamin defficiency, or maybe because he is scratching his eyes? I have noticed his nose is sometimes quite raw too
Has anyone ever used human eye lubricating drops on a skink?

Yes, absolutely, as long as they are not the redness removing kind or medicated in any way (unless from your vet). I myself prefer Systane Gel drops.
It could easily be lighting, sickness, or vitamin deficiency, or all of the above. The scratching is because of the M.I.

Check with your vet first, but my advice would be to raise the temps (night and day temps) and increase humidity further. I'd also have your vet contact mine (contact info in previous thread) about the shot combo.

Please keep us updated. Good luck with the little guy.