My Pet broad head skink has a big bump on right sholder?

Question
What should I do it has gotten bigger in the past few weeks at first it was small I did not want to mess cause I thought it would go away I keep his cage clean but still it has gotten bigger. I would take him to the vet but I don't have a car and the closest one is thirty miles away.

Answer
Hi Scott,

It sounds like it may be an abscess. They can show up even though there is no evidence of a previous wound in the area. Reptile pus forms as a solid so an abcsess will appear as a very firm lump, almost like a tumour.  It can put pressure on the nerves and joints in the area.
Because of this solid nature they don't tend to spontaneously burst and drain on their own as they can in mammals but often need to be lanced and removed. Reptile scales that are intact also don't allow effective penetration of topical ointments.

Without the assistance of a vet who would likely lance it and give systemic antibiotics then then all I can suggest is to make sure your skink has proper warmth in his enclosure. Heat is really critical to boosting a reptile's immunue system which will help his body deal with it. It certainly would not hurt to apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the area either. Even though it will not be well absorbed I have had people report back that they noted improvement after applying it.