BTS gone aggressive, lethargic with no known cause

[Almostinsane]

Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I've poked my head around these parts.

My skink, Charlie has gotten very aggressive with me lately. No biting(yet) but she gets worse everyday. Usually when I go in she might hiss briefly then realize it's me. Just today I reached in, as she hadn't moved much all day(just enough to poke her head out of the house she has) and she let out quite a few deep long hisses, opening her mouth slightly and backing up. I was trying to find the breeding seasons online, but I'm assuming it's almost over?

She's usually lethargic during the winter so this isn't shocking at all. But she has NEVER tried to bite(besides when we first got her, but she was scared) her appetite has also disappeared. She will usually eat a tablespoon of food and she only ate about half a tablespoon. We don't have a good reptile vet near us so I was hoping some of you might have suggestions. Tempature is fine, she's been fed and has water. Humidity should be okay, I spray her tank at least once a day if not 2-3 times. I might try bathing her and see if she has an impaction.

I'm being serious when I say that a vet is the last resort. I understand that vet bills are part of owning a lizard but I've found a lot it isn't needed. I want to scratch off possibilities that I can fix first. Just recently a chinese water dragon I'm looking after got mouth rot and people suggested the vet. I found home remedies that worked thankfully.

We were referred to bowmanville when she hurt her leg and after a long trip paid INSANE prices for bad service. We were given way less medication then what we paid for and were asked "well, are you giving her the right amount?" we paid for around 10ml(don't remember the exact amount, but it was more then we needed) and recieved less then 2. SOOO not a suggested vet.

I've done some googling around but can't find any answers.

[Linnea]

are you certain your skink doesnt wanna brumate properly? its around that time of year when they slow down and eat less, and sleep more.

mine does wether i correct temps during winter, feed or not.

[Richard.C]

X2 what linnea said

Sounds like its slowed down for brumation

[Almostinsane]

The thought crossed the mind, but she has never eaten less or gotten really aggressive. and its not like the aggression has been 'stable' either, she was OK on Tuesday, but not really excited that I was in her tank(like she usually would be), but yesterday and today has been nothing but upset/dodgy skink. I've caught her sleeping with her mouth open a few times, which she does not usually do. I don't know if that should be concerning or not? I'm not going to jump the gun on illness and hopefully she gets a bit nicer as the winter goes on, but I'll be keeping a close eye on her and reading up on skinky related diseases.

She did come out of her house and drink a tiny bit, but not for very long. she usually drinks what she wants then knocks over the water dish(she LOVES her dirt wet) but none of that today. I've learned to ditch the paranoia when it comes to lizards as they tend to be weird, but shes had a total mood swing.

[donkeybuff]

It doesn't sound like your skink has any kind of illness, so I wouldn't worry about that for now. What are your temps like? It might be something to do with your skink wanting to brumate but not having the right temperatures to do so.

[Susann]

very aggressive with me lately
she gets worse everyday
she hadn't moved much
her appetite has also disappeared
I've caught her sleeping with her mouth open a few times
shes had a total mood swing.

I understand that vet bills are part of owning a lizard but I've found a lot it isn't needed
I've done some googling around but can't find any answers

What do you want us to say?
You want us to agree with you, that PROBABLY nothing is wrong? Sure, let's do that.
Quote from Susann: "You are probably worrying for no reason."
Sure, a lot of vet care is generally not needed with lizards.
But if the first 6 statements that are quoted above were about MY lizard, I'd be making some calls.
Yes, I practice the philosophy of "rather be safe than sorry", and I've spent thousands of dollars in vet fees (a lot of it unnecessarily) over the last 3 1/2 years ...but I've also buried 2 lizards.

Not trying to be mean or rude, just giving you my 5 cents worth.

[El Lobo]

I also feel there are some grounds for concern. When animals that are obligate nose breathers such as skinks begin breathing through an open mouth it can indicate a few conditions. In its simplest form it can be caused by a nasal blockage, but it can also indicate hypopnea which is when sufficient air is not circulating through the lungs, due to e.g. fluid in the lungs. Another cause of open-mouthed breathing can be hypoxia which is insufficient oxygen in the blood stream, usually associated with cardiovascular disease.

[donkeybuff]

Is she open-mouth breathing or hissing? Could you post a video?

[El Lobo]

. I've caught her sleeping with her mouth open a few times, which she does not usually do. I don't know if that should be concerning or not? I'm not going to jump the gun on illness and hopefully she gets a bit nicer as the winter goes on, but I'll be keeping a close eye on her and reading up on skinky related diseases.

[Richard.C]

Yeah open mouth breathing isnt normal,may pay to have that looked into,a vet consult doesnt empty the bank account at least you woll know exactly what could be the issue

[donkeybuff]

. I've caught her sleeping with her mouth open a few times, which she does not usually do. I don't know if that should be concerning or not? I'm not going to jump the gun on illness and hopefully she gets a bit nicer as the winter goes on, but I'll be keeping a close eye on her and reading up on skinky related diseases.

I didn't catch that. You should take her to a vet.

[jdheff1982]

Do skinks "gape" when the temps are too hot to help thermo-regulate like bearded dragons? After reading the OP's description, I would have thought the skink was gaping to help bring down its own temps.

As for the open mouth "hissing", my Rosco will open his mouth just slightly to get enough air in to perform the "hiss". I don't think I read anything here which mentions how open the PO's skinks' mouth is when hissing.

[Richard.C]

It was mentioned it sleeps with mouth open,open mouth breathing,yes they can gape if hot