Sick newt, anything I can do?

[Attenborough]

So one of my notos still acts normal but has been shedding almost constantly for a month or so and in the last couple days its spots are disappearing, it's losing weight(despite still eating normally), and I think it has red-leg. My other newt is still fine so I'm not sure if it is environmental. I don't have a quarantine tank, here is a photo I took today: http://i.imgur.com/98dFt.jpg anyone have any advice?

 

[ahritchie]

So one of my notos still acts normal but has been shedding almost constantly for a month or so and in the last couple days its spots are disappearing, it's losing weight(despite still eating normally), and I think it has red-leg. My other newt is still fine so I'm not sure if it is environmental. I don't have a quarantine tank, here is a photo I took today: http://i.imgur.com/98dFt.jpg anyone have any advice?

I would quarantine it immediately; even if you have to use a tupperware container or something...go buy some container, anything to separate them or you may end up with two sick/dead newts. Unfortunately, this seems similar to a problem I had with a group of WC notos I purchased a couple years ago...sadly whatever infection they had took out the group of 4 quite quickly I've since given up on notos and any WC newts. Are these WC or CB newts? Hopefully a noto expert will chime in with some advice on how to treat it. I'm sure someone will suggest taking it to the vet; but it seems most vets around here know less about newts than your average caudata.org member.

 

[Attenborough]

Yes these are wild caught, had them for a little under a year. Was out doing field work with my fisheries biologist professor who suggested I take them home because he said they were very hardy and that the pond was overpopulated. I had one die about a month in, but these guys have been trucking since. It wasn't until I got on here that I realized how delicate this species is. If the one dies, is there any reason why it would be a bad idea to re-release the other if he shows no sign of infection for while? I have a great habitat with tons of hiding places and live plants, I think it would be better used on a cfb or some other species that was raised in captivity.

 

[AngieD]

It is strongly recommended that you don't release amphibians, even wild caught, due to them possibly introducing germs and such that they might have picked up in captivity

 

[zoezakella]

Yes these are wild caught, had them for a little under a year. Was out doing field work with my fisheries biologist professor who suggested I take them home because he said they were very hardy and that the pond was overpopulated. I had one die about a month in, but these guys have been trucking since. It wasn't until I got on here that I realized how delicate this species is. If the one dies, is there any reason why it would be a bad idea to re-release the other if he shows no sign of infection for while? I have a great habitat with tons of hiding places and live plants, I think it would be better used on a cfb or some other species that was raised in captivity.

Sorry to hear your noto is ill, cant help with this but just wanted to say I think its such a shame your professor advised you to take them home especially as no research had been done into this species, there are plenty of CB newts around and I personally think its cruel taking something from the wild and then sticking it into a tank after what its been used to with its natural environment and free space.

 

[Azhael]

I can´t believe a biologist suggested to take some adults home because the pond was overpopulated :S

Sadly, this kind of issue is very common with this species, both WC and CB animals. Skin infections and serious shedding issues as i say are frequent and difficult to treat. Usually the problem persists until the animal just dies. The biggest problem trying to treat these things is that it´s difficult to stablish the cause. I´ve heard people suggest ringer solution to try to help with regulation problems produced by the skin problems.
Try to contact a vet, although finding one knowledgeable about caudates is often difficult.

 

[Kaysie]

I've been to many ponds that had flourishing healthy populations that I wouldn't hesitate to let someone take some home. It's not that surprising. It's just like hunting or fishing (regulated, in a perfect world): harvesting a few makes no impact on the overall population.

You could try tea baths or almond leaves. These are said to help skin conditions. Contact a vet if you can.

 

[Azhael]

That´s not what i find strange. I still wouldn´t collect wild animals regardless of the state of the population, but it´s the idea of an overpopulated pond that sounds ridiculous to me.

 

[Attenborough]

I think what he meant was the pond didn't have a lot of leaf debris and therefore was lacking in sufficient populations of benthic invertebrates to sustain the (what seemed like) hundreds in this spot. He was talking about how he had kept nearly every aquatic creature around here in his home aquariums at one point. I think being a fisheries biologist desensitizes you to animal's feelings. I mean the man goes out electrofishing almost every week for studies and last week in the lab we turned on heaters and cooked trout alive to test temperature survival rates.