Spartacus
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- Mar 2, 2009
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- Location
- Dunedin
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- New Zealand
- Display Name
- Sarah
My axolotl Hephaestion has fallen ill, from what is probably an infection or something internal.
He hasn't eaten for about two weeks, maybe more, and is brightly coloured and veiny, even when resting. I know about axolotl colouration changes due to light/activity etc but this is different. His veins are visible all over his body, and his tail and gills are very red, all the time.
His gills are turned forward, but nothing else is visibly wrong with him. No bloating, no injuries. Although his eyes look a bit odd, hard to explain but the skin seems different than before and perhaps slightly bulgier, but I doubt it's noticeable to anyone but me.
He's been in a separate container for the last week, and it's fairly cold here, so haven't fridged him, as space is limited. I have some Indian Almond Leaves coming, but because of public holidays, I may not get it until well into next week. I don't know if he will make it.
Can I try methylene blue? I'm not 100% sure what it is used for other than fungal things, or how it is used. He's in a 7L container, about half full. Can I put it in there, adding some each day with the water change, or give him a wee bath in another container?
Tank set-up and water parameters were all as they should be when he was in there.
He hasn't eaten for about two weeks, maybe more, and is brightly coloured and veiny, even when resting. I know about axolotl colouration changes due to light/activity etc but this is different. His veins are visible all over his body, and his tail and gills are very red, all the time.
His gills are turned forward, but nothing else is visibly wrong with him. No bloating, no injuries. Although his eyes look a bit odd, hard to explain but the skin seems different than before and perhaps slightly bulgier, but I doubt it's noticeable to anyone but me.
He's been in a separate container for the last week, and it's fairly cold here, so haven't fridged him, as space is limited. I have some Indian Almond Leaves coming, but because of public holidays, I may not get it until well into next week. I don't know if he will make it.
Can I try methylene blue? I'm not 100% sure what it is used for other than fungal things, or how it is used. He's in a 7L container, about half full. Can I put it in there, adding some each day with the water change, or give him a wee bath in another container?
Tank set-up and water parameters were all as they should be when he was in there.
OP asked what methylene blue was used for, and I was trying to answer the question. I was not advocating for or against its use, just trying to inform. I felt it would be valuable to share its applications in ammonia and nitrite poisoning, as it seems water quality issues and a poor understanding of the nitrogen cycle are fairly prevalent in inexperienced keepers, and caudata culture lists it as a safe medication for use in salamanders in appropriate doses. As I'm sure you know, nitrite and ammonia poisoning is due to its ability to bond hemoglobin in the blood, preventing it from carrying oxygen, and resulting ultimately in suffocation. This is true of all animals with a hemoglobin based blood system, including fish, amphibians, and us. Methylene blue at appropriate doses can reverse this reaction, improving chances of recovery. You can search for methylene blue and Methemoglobinemia for more info. Seems like a good thing to know, that's all. I agree that you shouldn't try to treat an animal without veterinary guidance if you don't know what's wrong. Sorry if I sounded like I was trying to do anything other than promote education. Wasn't trying to offend.
