blue tailed skinks

Question
When I first moved here to Central Florida I was unfamiliar with the different varieties of lizards. Our cat caught a "blue tailed skink" and quickly became ill. The vet swore the  skink had nothing to do with my cats illness, until he consulted with a specialist who told him that that they are very toxic (defense maybe?) Anyway, poor kitty did not make it. I have warned many people about letting their cats outside because of this danger. Surprisingly, some people tell me they have heard of this before, others tell me I'm crazy. So basically, I would like to know if you are aware of this skink (OK, I'm calling it a skink, but it is a shiny black slimy looking lizard with an irredecent blue tail) being poisonous in any way? If so...could you point me in the right direction for some written proof? I'd sure appreciate it. Just trying to save some kitty cats!
Thanks in advance!
Debi

Answer
Hi Debi, What a tragic way to learn about this, I'm sorry about your kitty. I have encountered mentions of this in various reptile forums over the years but have never seen anything definitive written about it. Nothing describing the chemical ? basis for the effect.
Even though the evidence is anecdotal it is rather compelling. You have probably already read this article:

http://www.gulfshorelife.com/Articles/Gulfshore-Life/2006/05/The-War-Between-Cat...

Where people in the area have actually given the condition the nickname of "lizard brains" to describe the severe neurological symptoms. The symptoms described are rather consistent and specific and severe. I'm not sure how people dismiss the possibility without offering a possible counter explanation for these symptoms; we are not talking about just a little vomiting here.

The most scholarly reference to it I could find was this from the veterinary college at Cornell which itself cites three more academic references for the info. It is just a brief mention but the toxicity of the tail is stated as a fact in it.  You might try contacting the vet listed on the link.


http://www.vet.cornell.edu/consultant/Consult.asp?Fun=Cause_2544&spc=All&dxkw=to...