Sick tylos

[chris]

My 5 tylototriton verrucosus juveniles have developed a skin problem. All of them have sore feet which have first lost their dark colour and then gone orange and then to pink, but with salt baths have reverted to orange. They are shedding very frequently. They seem to find it hard to stay on the bottom and are often floating at the surface with the top parts of their back out the water. They are eating. One has signs of an ulcer on its dorsal ridge.They are often to be found on the cork bark island. John Claire suggested terrestrialisation for a few weeks. I thought I would see if anyone has seen this before and has treated it before I do this.
PLEASE HELP
Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[john]

Are they eating? If they are then you can afford to wait a little while. If they're not eating, I would take them out of the water ASAP - you don't have time to wait around. The last thing you want them to get is septicemia.

BTW: It's Clare without an i .

(Message edited by john on January 10, 2004)

 

[chris]

John
I contacted a herp vet today and he said I should keep them aquatic and treat with Myxazin - the bacterial killer for fish. Ifthis does not work he is going to give them antibiotics.
So for now I'm not suure whether to follow your advice or the vet's...has your treatment worked in animals before?
Chris

 

[alan]

My juvenile verrucosus are shedding frequently too, at least once a week, but are eating like pigs and seem very healthy. They occasionly have temporary positive bouyancy, but them burp up some air and return to normal. Chris, please tell us:

- Temperature
- Tank size/filtration
- Frequency/amouunt of water changes
- Have you tested the water for ammonia/nitrite? Does it smell?

 

[john]

The juveniles when kept aquatically definitely shed their skin _at least_ once a week, perhaps twice.

I still think your best bet right now Chris is to take them out of the tank and keep them terrestrial for a while.

 

[chris]

John and Alan
the tank size is a 20 gal about 2/3 full with water. It has an air pump operated box filter and also a fluval electric box filter. The water does not smell and I'm buying ammonia/nitrite testkit today. If they are 'supposed' to shed so frequently then it may not be so bad. I think they may be on the mend as the black toe ends have returned in one of them. I will put them terrestrial if the decline any further. Thanks
Chris

 

[john]

Chris, I believe your guys are descended from mine. None of mine have black toes - they're all a yellowish orange...

 

[chris]

John
when I say 'black' I meant a darkr colouration on top of an orange base, with the very tips black.(see user photo is it is clear enough)
Anyway, with salt baths and myxazin they are clearing up nicely.
Thanks for the help
Chris