Sick A. maculatum

[mark]

Hi, I have a pair of Ambystoma maculatum and one has become very ill. I noticed one was becoming thinner and on closer inspection discovered an ulcer type of wound at the base of it's tail. I've quarantined it and washed the wound regularly but it still continues to grow on daily basis. There is no fungus that's visible and there isn't any swelling that suggests infection... just a big hole. The salamander appears to be in no distress but I'm certain it's just a matter of time before it dies. Has anyone seen anything similar or know what may have caused it? Any ideas for treatment?

 

[mark]

He's been in a dirt quarantine for a week now and despite the sore growing large he has miraculously started to heal and feed heartily!.

Still unsure what could have caused it though.

 

[jesper]

It was probably a local bacterial infection then, are they new?

 

[mark]

No not new. I've had them for about a year. The sore seems to have started in the area of the cloaca and spread to the tail. Almost like a necrosis eating away the flesh.

 

[jesper]

Yeah that kind of ulcers is quite common. Usually it goes together with newly imported newts and sals though. Maybe you had some bad luck or maybe it is not comfortable in its setup.
Anyway it is better now right? Sounds like you just had some bad luck then.