Illness/Sickness: Newt with possible fungus, limb rot?

[xtinana]

I recently purchased a Chinese fire-belly newt from a local shop; I didn't plan on purchasing from a shop, knowing that wild-caught newts are not in the best condition, but I could not resist. I added him to my tank with two other Chinese fire-bellies, and everything was going well...until I noticed he was missing two toes. I am not sure how this happened...but I simply hoped for regeneration.
A few days later, it appears that he either has a fungal infection or limb rot. I have searched through many articles to try and find the right diagnosis, but I cannot draw a conclusion. I am hoping someone here might be able to help me. It appears that the space where the toes were lost has developed an odd red/white coloring, and it almost looks like there is a hole developing in that area...but it is very hard to tell, given the strange color and the fact that my newt rarely stays still. The discoloration is also beginning to spread onto the next toe. He is holding his "arm" up now, when he was not before...so I know that there could be some discomfort. I am most likely going to isolate him from the other newts as soon as I can, and hope that I can reach a proper diagnosis before treating him. Of course, I would hate to go as far as amputation without knowing for sure...
I have pictures, but the quality is terrible and sadly I do not have a better camera.

 

[xtinana]

The front-right foot is the one to focus on...:uhoh:

 

[Azhael]

Oh....you really should have quarantined the new newt :S
Separate as soon as possible.

It´s hard to tell by the pictures but judging by your description my guess is that it´s certainly a flesh-eating infection. These are very common in new imports and are a very serious thing. Since it´s still in the earlier stages, the chances are good, but you need to act right away. Star with salt baths.

 

[xtinana]

The newt is quarantined, and I will start salt baths as soon as I can. Do I have to do anything with the other newts/tank? They show no signs of a similar infection, but I can't really be sure if this is contagious...

 

[Azhael]

It can be, but not necessarily so. Just keep a close eye on them so that you can act right away if some problem arised.

 

[xtinana]

Figured I should post an update. I know he is eating, but he was unable to completely remove his shedding skin for three days and has been very lethargic. He clamps the injured leg to his side a lot more often now, and no longer has any toes on it. I have been giving two salt baths per day for about 15 minutes each time, based on the salt bath link I found on this site. I thought I saw some orange skin growth...but he hides the injury from me as much as possible. He does have some orange on his toes and other legs, so I really hope this is the beginning of his healing...but the new symptoms seem to imply it's getting worse. It is impossible to get a closer look because he will not stay still and tries to jump out of my gloved hand...I just want to get him through this and back to normal again as soon as possible.

 

[Gemma613]

Hey,
This sounds exactly like my little fella When I got him he was missing 2 toes and had a very small white patch above the missing toes. I only just looked into this and didn't realise that anything was wrong, I thought maybe there had been a bit of a scuffle and he'd lost them. However, after being in my tank for a little while the white patch got worse and he began keeping his arm to his side, it still looks very swollen and the white patches are definately spreading and getting worse. I've quarantined him (I bought 2 other fbn's at the same time) and have started to give him salt baths. When I did this i noticed there are toes missing of his other "arms/legs" I read somewhere that you can put tamodine onto the wound, which is like a weakened version of iodine so I'm going to try that when it arrives, I also read on a forum somewhere that hydrogen peroxide can be used but am worried this might be a little risky.
How is your newt coming along? Any improvement?