sick blue tounge lizard

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My sons blue tongue lizard in the past week has got very ill, it can't walk on his back legs and has stopped eating all together. I took him to a reptile shop today and the guy there said it looks like he might have a bone disease and a respiratory infection. He has given me some calcium powder to but on his food but I can't get him to eat. I have noticed that he is finding it very hard to breath. Can you please give me any suggestions on how i can get him better as he is very much loved by my son and he is having a very hard time with him being unwell. Is there any liquid food that i can give him, I have tried egg but he won't even eat that.

ANSWER: Hello Samantha,

I am sorry to hear about your blue tongue lizard/skink.  Do you have any pictures of him?
Are you using a UVB light & if so, what type & brand do you use?  
How old is your lizard?
What are the basking temperatures you are keeping him at?  What type of basking light are you using, a bright white light or a colored light?
You can get some critical care or carnivore care powdered food that is very good for ill reptiles.  You mix it with water or juice & use a syringe to get it into him.
You can get the critical care or carnivore care from here:
 

http://www.calvetsupply.com/category/s?keyword=critical+care

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi tracie,
No I didn't have a UVB light but have brought one now it has been in for 3 days now. I have a heater mat under his tank but am not sure what tempture it is at. I am currently feeding him mince mixed up with egg through a syringe as well as giving him water the same way. The dip in his back is still there and he's still not using his back leg. He is around 6 months old, do you think that he is going to make it he don't move at all in his tank and if so what is the estimated time for recovery just how I have some sort of idea and can tell my son. Once again thank you for all your help. Sorry I don't have a photo to upload as Im doing this from my iPhone.

Answer
Hello Samantha,

Which UVB light did you get for him?
It is imperative that you know what his basking temperatures are.  Are you using a bright white basking light?  The basking temperatures need to be in a range of 95-110 with a cooler end around 78-82.  You will need a bright white basking light mounted directly beside the UVB.  Make sure the UVB is 6-8 inches away from him.
You will need to use either a digital probe or a temp gun to get the best temperature readings.  
Have you began using calcium supplementation 5 times per week?

Metabolic bone disease normally takes months to recover from, depending on the severity.  Once they have gotten metabolic bone disease, a lot of them are never quite the same.  He will always need special attention on his calcium & lighting.
I hope that he makes it.  Continue to feed him so he doesn't lose weight & become too thin.  This will give him the strength to recover more quickly.
Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie