Illness/Sickness: Plz help

[Allateup]

回复: Plz help

ok I added Muddy back after there feeding last night. And I did a test when I woke up this morning. And here are the results. Plz let me know if I'm going in the right direction. Im very worried still about how emaciated he looks and last night he didn't take any earthworms from me. When he usually attacks them like a lil alligator. I even ordered this special axolotl food from japan, but it wont be here for like a month cus of customs and stuff

 

[Donna001]

From the picture I would say that your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all o.
I would say that your pH is around 6.2 - 6.4. I have attached some information, which says that a pH between 6.5 - 8.0 is acceptable, but 7.4 - 7.6 is ideal.
Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity

 

[Allateup]

回复: Plz help

Ok here is a pic of my water test which I do twice daily now.
But I'm still having problems with Muddy hes either shedding or its his slime coat but I'm worried. Hes eating more now, not like he use to but hes at least eating. I don't know if its the ph or what now that's messing with him because as well as the shedding /slime coat problem I have started to see these white patches on his back and tail. Shower still has nothing on her so I just assume hes more sensitive to the ph then she is? But I have started to notice the ends of her feathers are getting lil white stuff on them as well. but if i make her move it comes right off. So Idk if I should worry about that either. I have gone to all lengths to make him eat even ordered special axolotl food from Japan. Which took 2 months to get here. And have been hand feeding him earthworms. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Elise]

It's not my intention to be blunt but have you considered re-homing him? His overall condition is poor and continuing to deteriorate. If you are unable to find anyone locally with experience in rehabilitation, pm me. I'll pay the overnight/same day shipping costs to adopt him.

 

[Donna001]

Please could you post some more pictures. A few of Muddy, the tank, then close ups of Muddy showing his gills and the white stuff you mentioned. When you say that his slime coat is shedding, are you finding bits of it on the floor of the tank? Do you have any pictures of that? More pictures of the patches on his tail and back would also be helpful.

 

[Allateup]

回复: Plz help

Here are some pics of Shower and Muddy I just took. The Spots which there are only 2 of on his back towards his tail are hard to get a good pic of. And as for shipping muddy off I rather not. He is getting better from what he was. Just still not what he use to be. He is way more responsive then he had been in weeks prior. He comes to the glass like he use to when I put my finger on it. Just now taking these pics he followed me around the tank.

 

[Allateup]

回复: Plz help

i blew up the pic and circled the two spots, there not a discoloration its like two lil divits.

 

[Donna001]

I thought those were the spots you were talking about, but just wanted to double check.
I'm not sure what they are, so perhaps some of the more experienced keepers can offer some advice on this, and his gills.
It's good that Muddy is more active. Keep trying with the food.
:happy:

 

[Allateup]

回复: Plz help

Muddy's gills haven't changed since he got sick, I hope they will grow back but I know they might not. But Shower's gills at the ends have had some stuff on them, haven't seen any slime or shedding going on with her thought. Shes as big as ever. lol

 

[Donna001]

I've had a close look at Showers gills and compared the picture to those on the first page of the thread. It looks as if Shower has lost some of the feathers from the top of the gills.
Are you using reverse osmosis water? If you are, do you add the correct chemicals back into the water (not just dechlorinator)?
With the temperature of the tank, I've read on another thread that having a fan blowing across the top of the tank can reduce the temperature quite well if you have a mesh lid. This will reduce the high/low temperature swings with using frozen water bottles, and will be much cheaper than buying a chiller.

 

[Elise]

His mouth is agape and swollen which is a possible sign of bacterial infection. At this point you should seek the expertise of an exotics vet. I don't see this guy making it much longer in present condition.

 

[Donna001]

Do you know if you have a specialist vet near you?
The link below should help:
Herp Veterinarians

 

[auntiejude]

I would say an infection is the most likely diagnosis here, and he needs to see a vet.
The fact that this has been going on for a long time says it's not something you are going to fix yourself.

If both axies are losing gill filaments than there may be something about the new water that is irritating them, possibly something that doesn't show up in standard aquarium tests. Incidentally, dechlorinator will treat fluorine as well as chorine.

 

[Allateup]

回复: Plz help

Update:
Muddy has been eating cut up night crawlers if I hand feed them to him. Hes gotten alot more weight on, and is way more active.
Steps I have taken since last post :
1. Called 6 different vets in my 50 mile radius(So says the google lady)
2 of which didn't know the animal and had to "google it", the other 3 didn't treat or have any information on them and the last wants $120 just to have a visit.
2. Since that 120$ is just for a visit not including any procedures or other fees I cannot afford that. I have taken other steps to fix my baby.
3.I have gotten some anubias broad leave and a new filter. (Pics below)
4. Took my water aswell to the shop and they said it was a lil high on my nitrate. (So I came home and did this test after I water changed and added the plants)

They are currently in lil tea baths while I let the water set and then I'm going to feed them.

 

[Donna001]

Great news that Muddy has eaten.
I don't know if the following information is going to be of any help, but it might:
Axolotls - Health & Diseases
Excellent water conditions, with frequent partial water changes to keep the nitrates as low as possible may help Muddy to recover.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and wish you the best of luck. :happy:

 

[Elise]

If both axies are losing gill filaments than there may be something about the new water that is irritating them, possibly something that doesn't show up in standard aquarium tests. Incidentally, dechlorinator will treat fluorine as well as chorine.

Are you suggesting fluoridated tap water as an obscure cause to all of this? Are you also suggesting that you can treat "flourine" with a dechlorinator? Both seem absurd.

Every response has included images of test results showing the absence of a nitrogen cycle. Not to mention temperature swings with the ice bottles.

information on them and the last wants $120 just to have a visit.
2. Since that 120$ is just for a visit not including any procedures or other fees I cannot afford that. I have taken other steps to fix my baby.

He has an appearance resembling infectious stomatitis, an oral infection that if left untreated, will lead to lethargy, emaciation, and a fatal septicemia. Not to mention it is infectious to other axotlol. He is a beautiful axolotl and worth saving, which requires antibiotics and a treatment plan supervised by a vet.