Eye Problems

[Zummy]

Zummy has been with us a healthy 5 years. About a month ago, he started having some shedding problems, which resulted in some red, sore skin on his feet. After a visit or two to the Herp Vet, he was on the mend, but his eyes started to give him a problem. He seemed to have very sore skin around his eyes resulting in blood and (apparently) itchiness. (Back to the vet) He seems to rub his eyes against things in his tank, further irritating them. We've been giving him drops 3 or 4 times a day (antibiotics and "artificial tears") but he doesn't seem to get much better. We've been told to increase the humidity, as this may be causing issues with his skin and eyes. The vet didn't see any parasites and frankly he seems a bit stumped. Has anyone experienced something like this? He's definitely not been himself. Mostly hides, isn't eating as much and basks less... Would welcome comments. (Picture below)

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[SmaugTheBluey]

Poor little guy, what sub-species is he? I'm not sure if it's due to humidity but I would consider moving him to a small tank and on clean paper towel to reduce risk of possible infections. Knowing the sub-species would help a lot because the shedding issues could possibly be resolved by bumping the humidity up a bit. The eye looks a little bit more complicated than shedding issues but I could be wrong. Hopefully it gets better, sorry I couldn't put anymore input.

[splashy07]

That an IJ? Too low humidity often the case, but never had this issue so don't want to speculate. Glad he is being vet treated, and best of luck with him! Made my eyes hurt just looking... poor little guy

[Zummy]

Thanks to both of your for replying! I believe he's an IJ. He's been on clean paper towel for a couple of weeks. I've definitely upped the humidity by adding a Large water dish and occasionally spraying the paper towel to dampen it. Not sure if it's helping. Any additional input would be welcome. Worried about the little guy...

[Lucifer]

Sounds like it could be what Susann calls "mystery illness" that I noticed in a post (Feb. 12, 2015). It seems to affect the eyes, mouth & toes. She recommends two things:
1. Air humidity level, and
2. Combination of injections by your vet (-an antibiotic, -vitamin A and -callcium w/D3)

Susann kindly gives her vet info. as and suggests that your vet call to get correct info. re: combination of injections. Her vet is:
Martin G. Orr
Creekside Animal Hospital
12720 Pony Express Rd.
Draper, UT 84020
(801) 565-1263

May be worth considering. Hope this helps. Wish you all the best in getting your bts healthy again.

[Susann]

Looks like an IJ if it's the same skink as your avatar picture. It could be something we took to calling Mystery Illness (MI) mainly because nobody used to have any clue what caused it or why skinks living right next to a sick one in same conditions never got ill. It is mainly caused by chronic low humidity, but if the illness is far enough progressed sometimes increasing humidity will do nothing. In that case the only thing that may be beneficial is a shot combination that can be administered by your vet of antibiotic, calcium w/D3, and vitamin A. If your vet needs further info s/he can contact my vet, and since Lucifer just beat me to it I won't post the info again

[Lucifer]

Sorry Susann. Just hoped to get the info. to Zummy asap with the hope that the vet could be contacted before the weekend. The info. you provided about the "Mystery Illness" is very important and could help alot of bts and reptiles. I passed this info. on to my vet with the hope that she may be able to use this to help as many reptiles as possible. The more vets that get this info. the better especially a herp vet. Thank you for your informative posts, I have learned a lot from you!

[Susann]

No need at all for you to be apologizing! I appreciate you being there to supply the info when I haven't done it; just funny we were typing pretty much at the same time.

[Zummy]

You guys are amazing! Thanks so much for your help! Will act on this asap.

Question...what level of humidity do you recommend during this period? As per the vets suggestion, every other day we've put Zummy in what we jokingly call "The Chamber". A large tupperware with air holes drilled into it, filled with about a half inch of water. Zummy pretty much hates it, but does seem to look and feel a little better after staying in the chamber (30 - 60 minutes). So...how high would you recommend we push the humidity level in his tank?

[Susann]

I would recommend as high as you can go without making the bottom of the tank soaking vet; you want to aim for the air to be as humid as possible without making her live on wet ground. I couldn't tell you percentage because I don't use hygrometers. Either use a room humidifier aimed at the tank, cigar humidifiers (actual or just sponges in containers attached on the wall in the tank), or use a spray bottle on the finest setting sprayed several times throughout the day, a bowl of warm water under heat lamp, a humid hide, or some type of automatic reptile fogger or mister.