H. cyanurus salt bath questions

[stanleyc]

I found my H. cyanurus with some fungus on his tail about a little over a week ago. At first I thought it best to just leave him be and see if he can fight it off by himself because in all other ways he seemed fine. The fungus growth was just at the tip of the tail and seems to stop very distinctly about half a centimeter down. He was energetic and eating well, and I thought it might be better to not add any new stress by refrigeration or other sorts of treatments. I was wrong. The infected part of his tail eventually fell off and the wound looked clean, but about 2 days later, the fungus came back. He is now noticeably slower and less energetic, and not nearly as enthusiastic about feeding as he usually was. I feel incredibly terrible.

Today I started refrigerating him, and just at first I put him in a salt bath for a little over 10 minutes, following the guidelines of this thread http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-beginner-newt-salamander-axolotl-help-topics/f48-axolotls-ambystoma-mexicanum/f58-sick-axolotl/72698-salt-bath-picture-tutorial.html

First, please let me know if this is the correct treatment for him.

Also I'd like to ask if I should continue feeding him during the treatment period. I fed him this morning just before refrigerating him, and he also ate 2 days ago.

Last, the salt bath treatment article on this site, Caudata Culture Articles - Salt Solutions in Treating Salamanders , recommends treatment every day or every other day until fungus disappears. But in the thread I linked to before, Kaysie suggest treatment every 12 hours. Judging by the picture (which looks pretty bad) what do you suggest? I have to say, when I first put him in the solution, it was heart wrenching watching him struggle under the stress, writhing and turning. He settled down in about a minute or 2, but I almost wanted to take him back out immediately.

Thank you very much.

 

[stanleyc]

Also, is there an ideal refrigerating temperature for this species? I have him at about 36 degrees Celsius.

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

Sorry to hear about this!

I am unable to offer any advise outside of what you are already doing. Just wanted to see how he is progressing?

 

[stanleyc]

I'm really sad to say he hasn't gotten better. Most of his tail is gone now. Since yesterday I've started giving him the salt bath every 12 hours, hopefully this will help.

 

[jasper408]

I think it might be time to use commercial products. Definitely not ideal compared to salt baths, but the situation is not improving whatsoever and the infection seems to be spreading at an alarming rate.

I know Pimafix/Melafix is highly recommended for fish, but still relatively untested(considered dangerous) for caudates. SludgeMunky, however, seems to stand by it: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...58-sick-axolotl/80827-salt-baths-pimafix.html . Knowing him and how many caudates he's reared over the years, those two chemicals are probably your best options now.

Best of luck to you.

 

[stanleyc]

Thank you I will try it tonight

 

[vince59]

The mycosis it is installed(settled). The bath of salt is only one(only) solution, i think; kept silent about the dish 15 in 30 minutes, 6 grams by liter and kept silent increase the dose to 20. But there it is too late it is necessary to see a veterinarian so that he(it) gives you Ketoconazole for exemple