Question: Is there something wrong with my axolotl?

[Keely Marie]

Hello, I have a female axolotl who has recently developed dark red patches on her gills, some gills have a dead like look to them. This occurred a few weeks ago and this morning she now has 3 red lines in her tail that look like blood blisters. She is now off her food, no change in her usual behaviour.

To be on the safe side I have tried 15 minute salt baths throughout the day for 3 days and no much difference has been made.

Is this something to be concerned about or does it require some sort of treatment?

Will appreciate any advise as to what is wrong with lottie

Thank you

 

[charleybambino]

Is she on her own.? If not I'd isolate her as the redness looks more like infection than fungus.Are your water perameters ok?
Have you tried indian almond leaf or tea baths for mild antiseptic properties rather than salt which may be irritatiting her if no actual fungus

 

[Keely Marie]

She is on her own, how would I go about a tea bath and what types of tea are best to use?

 

[qannp]

Use black tea (non flavoured), 1 bag per 10 litres. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes and cool it down. You can put the tea in the aquarium, but I would recommend to put her in a smaller box (about 20 litres) so you can change the teabath daily.

Red spots on the gills may be caused by bacterial infection. Does she look fatter than usual although she doesn't eat more? This would be a serious warning signal and she should see a vet as soon as possible.

I wish you all the best for her, please keep me up to date!

Greetings,
Doris

 

[Keely Marie]

Thank you!

I will start the tea baths as soon as possible.

And her weight is maintaining the same, no sudden weight gain or change in size

Thanks again and will keep posted on her progress


Keely

 

[qannp]

Hi Keely, how is Lottie?

 

[Keely Marie]

Hi, some gills are improving a bit however she now has lots of tiny red dots along her tail that I have just noticed. The red line on her tail has got smaller but there's another one appeared.

She's had 3 tea batths and will continue with the baths for the rest of he week

 

[LSuzuki]

Red dots are another sign of bacterial infections.

You never did mention what your tank parameters are (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, temperature). That is often an important clue.

Have you considered seeing a vet? If it bacterial, antibiotics may be required.

 

[Keely Marie]

I will do the water test in the morning. I've come home and she has green poop, still not eating.

Have put her in a tub in the fridge as I read on different forum that it helped

 

[Keely Marie]

Water hardness 180ppm
Carbonate hardness 240ppm
PH 7
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20ppm

 

[LSuzuki]

Was ammonia 0 too? If so, your water is about as good as you can get. This makes it even more likely that a vet will be required.

If you search this forum for "green poop", there are a lot of results that pop up. There may be some info there that would help you narrow down the problem and appropriate treatment if you can't see a vet for whatever reason.

Good luck!

 

[Keely Marie]

I haven't got an ammonia testing kit at the moment will try to acquire one ASAP.

Does anyone know how much a vet visit is likely to cost? Looks like ill end up taking her to a vet when I can fine one willing to treat her.

Tried searching for green poop and nothing really provided any insight as to what the problem could be.


Thanks

 

[qannp]

Just ask the vet when you make the appointment for her. I paid at least 70 Euros (x-ray and medication) and up to 200 Euros (pap-tests etc). I think you should bring a stool sample, too.

Since you're in Europe, maybe the vet wants to contact Dr. Frank Mutschmann from Exomed. My vet did contact him several times, it's quite common in Austria and Germany.

You can find the number and mailadress here: Kontakt

I really hope she will be better soon.

 

[herpvet]

Hi,

You should be able to find a vet near you. Not sure exactly where you are in West Midlands, but maybe Manor vets (Manorvets Veterinary Practice 24 Hour Emergency and Critical Care West Midlands ) is close? (I'm in Oxford if you can't find anything closer).

Costs will obviously vary but the vet will generally discuss the options and costs with you before any investigations or treatment. Do bear in mind that tests may be needed to get more information.

Green poop can be various things (sometimes goes green just they haven't been eating) but certainly getting a sample checked out is a good idea.

Hope you can get her sorted out.

Bruce.