Odd markings developing on body

[megan]

I have an adult albino male, normally not a problem, but he has in the last week or so developed a mark around him bum! sorry, no other way to put it. Its a dark mark that looks odd! help

meg

 

[mel]

wow! I have no Idea to be honest. I hope someone can help you! do you have a picture it would be great if you could post one.don't be disheartend by me not knowing. he he he, I don't know much at all.

I really hope someone can help. ..on second thoughts! is it red? could it be a sore or fungus? and how old is he? I've heard that their colour and marking do change as they grow up.hmmm good luck.

 

[mel]

ok just saw that you wrote he is an adult. he he sheepish

 

[joão]

megan try to post a photo so we can see it and give you a better opinion.

 

[megan]

Hi, here is the pic of Nemo, really hard to take cause he didnt wanna swim to the top! Can someone please tell me why these marks have developed? I am really worried about him!

 

[cynthia]

Megan - Does your axolotl have black eyes or red eyes?

If it has black eyes that could just be a colored patch that sometimes show up on leucistic (white with dark eyes) animals.

I can not say for sure what it is. You may want to seek a vet to take a look at it especially if your axolotl has red eyes.

It doesn't look swollen or sore in the picture, is it?

 

[meg]

No, he is a pure albino with red eyes. It isnt swollen and doesnt seem to bother him, I think its more me thats worried because it has only just developed. Thankyou so much for replying, I will see if I can find a vet in the South west of the UK who knows a bit about axolotls.

thankyou

meg

 

[meg]

This is a far more detailed picture of Nemo, it shows the problem much clearer. I have only been able to find a vet with knowledge of salamanders, but am hoping to take him there on Monday. Until then, does anyone have any other ideas as to if I should be worried?

meg

 

[cynthia]

Meg - that is a much better picture, unfortunately I have never seen anything like that before.

Please let us know what the vet thinks it is?

 

[meg]

Just back from the vet, £22 poorer!

He said that because it wasnt red, it could just be the development of pigmentation, or a wound that had developed a small amount of fungus. I have to leave it two weeks, and treat the water with a fungus treatment. If the mark doesnt go, he can investigate further.

So can anyone tell me what sort of treatment I can put in the water that will tackle the fungus, but is axy friendly?

meg

 

[cynthia]

Meg - it does look like pigmentation to me, but a white axolotl with red eyes "should not" develop pigmentation... so it will be interesting to see what happens with this.

As far as medication goes... salt baths are usually given for fungus infection. Though fungus infections are usually white fluffy material not black pigment looking skin.

A list of safe medication (and not safe) can be found at the bottom of this page http://www.axolotl.org/health.htm
Nitrofura-G by Aquatronics and Furan-2 by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals are recommended frequently.

 

[meg]

Thankyou, I will go to the store tomorrow and get what I can!

Strange how such a small creature is becomming so expensive!!

meg

 

[joan]

You know what it kind of looks like? Like maybe he had a large poo, and this caused fissures in the cloaca, and they're healing back up. I don't know, just a thought.

 

[meg]

comparing the second photo to the first (which I know is rather blurred) is it just me, or do the markings seem less wide spread? I dont like to keep pestering him to look, so I am rather relying on the pics!!

Makes me think that whatever it is it could be slowly healing!

meg

 

[meg]

Good news

Whatever that mark was on my axy, it has cleared up all on its own. No treatments or anything, its just gone!

yay

meg

 

[joan]

That's great. Just keep an eye out for other problems, just in case they crop up.