Illness/Sickness: Blistered around the bum and floating

BethNJamie

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BethNJamie
Hello i desperately need some help!!
My 4 Axies are really ill! They have peeling skin around their bum and cant keep them down, they keep floating to the top and its scaring me because Zippy (the biggest axie) is very bad, its all red and inflamed, he seems not himself either, ive checked all the water levels, and everything is fine, so is the temperature and the filters get changed regulaly and i do regular water changes also.. im so confused on what to do!
They are all in the fridge at the moment and Gerkin, Moomin and George seem to be a bit happier but Zippy is still really bad!
HELP!:(
 
Maybe you could post pics? How big are your guys?

Sounds like you are dealing with impactions and fridging was definitely the right decision. Pics would definitely help to rule out a prolapse which is also possible but would need a vet's attention straight away.

What do you have them on - sand, gravel, rocks? If it's small gravel, that's probably the culprit. If you do have gravel, please change that right away. If you have them on something else, what were they on before you got them? If you have not had them long, you could have inherited the problem.

What size tank do you have them in? How long has it been set up?
 
The tank is four and a half foot long 2 foot deep by foot and half back, its been set up for over a year and we have had the axies for nearly a year, the water conditions are fine and they are on sand. i will take some pictures now, it looks like a burn all sore and red with the skin hanging off, the biggest two 10inches long and the other two 7-8 inches, their names are Zippy, Gerkin, George and Moomin, ill post some pictures right away, where we live we dont have vets that will look at 'fish' so i dont know what else to do.
 
What are your exact water parameters and temperature?
A tea bath might help soothe their skin a little bit.

Mel
 
Sorry to read about your poor axolotl. Has the tank been over 20 degrees? ..I have struggled during the latest heat wave with the temperature :( What do you feed them and have you changed their diet lately?
Sorry for all the questions, but it does tend to eliminate things.
 
Heres the picture of zippy, thats the best one i could get.
 

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The tank has been on about 22 at the hottest part of the day but usually drops to 18, not much we can do to cool them down but they didnt really seem to mind it that much. even last summer, they were fine with the heat just seemed more hungry, we feed them frozen bloodworm and one in a bluemoon we treat them to live river shrimp and they love it! the last time they had those was about 3 months ago as they dont really stock them around here and we have to travel quite far to get them this treat. We have'nt changed their diet as last year we tried but they didnt eat much of it and seemed to not really like it, bloodworm seemed best. They are not very hungry at the moment with the current problems. we have taken water sample to our local aquatic center to double check our readings on the water and all seemed fine from them too. we was told perhaps its parasites and to order some machalite green, which i have ordered from ebay which i am waiting to recieve as our local stockists cant get in.
 
Malachite green is highly toxic for axolotl, please do not use it.

Looking at the photo's you really do need to get treatment from a vet as soon as possible. In the mean time I would suggest you fridge them. Hopefully this will slow things down, the link below will be useful.
Axolotl Sanctuary

Do not attempt saths.

Please do keep us posted on how they do, I have fingers and toes crossed for you.
 
What are saths? They are already refridgerated
Will any vet treat them?
 
Julia meant salt baths.
Its best not to attempt these as the skin is raw.
You could however try a tea bath to try and soothe the skin.
Its looks pretty bad to me.

I think you need to find an axolotl/amphibian/salamander friendly vet.
You may need to ring round a few.

Good luck

Mel
 
I will Have to ring round tomorrow when im home from work,
i hope there is one, we are very worried
Could you explain the tea bath process to me please? as i dont want to make it worse
thanks :happy:
 
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Hi,

you are well introduced by the others, but there´s one question left. Do you have fishes, like plecos or catfishes with your axies in the tank? It looks like there´s someone has nipped on him.
 
Home Page This is in Reading, I cant think exactly were Wisbech is but I believe it is in Bucks...sorry if I am wrong
 
Wisbech is cambridgeshire and we have one plec in the tank but he is so timid i didnt realise he would do any harm.
I will give him away tomorrow to the aquatics place, thankyou all for your help
 
but if it was the plec why where their bums all floating?
sorry just thought about that..
 
The plec may have sucked on them and made there sores more susceptible to disease and infection
 
Gerkin, George and Moomin seem alot better today i hand fed them they scoffed it down and are very lively, Zippy seems alot better too hes eaten alot , still looks sore but seems happier just letting you all know :)
 
I just had a proper inspection on Zippy and his tail looks like its got white fluffly looking stuff on where the sores are?
I cant find ANY vets in my area that will even take a look him..
what should i do?
 
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