Very sick fire sal.. :-( Black spots

[kerri89]

My sal has been gettin worse over last two weeks, i noticed these tiny spots appering on his yellow strips, my femal is bright in colour very active ect in same viv, yet he is spotty, not so active, breating slow n ive not seen him eat,he's not interested.im paniking now as i can see his is gettin worse, he used 2b more active then her, ive left the bark to dry out since gettin advise on here but he seems 2 b gettin worse anyway. Ive put pic of sppts on my profile, please bere in mind these are old pics so the tank is much dryer now n i alway have hide in, was only removed 4 the pic.. The sal's are over a yr old n have lived 2geva since purchase, also around 15cm long.. Please help me i need 2know if i should take him 2the vets.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/members...7-30-20-31-18/

[kerri89]

I took a few pic's tonight to help.




http://www.caudata.org/forum/members...8-05-00-16-23/

http://www.caudata.org/forum/members...05-00-16-02-1/

[Rodrigo]

Is that the substrate they are currently kept in? That´s terribly inadequate. It´s not only too rough for their delicate skins and it fails to trap sufficient moisture or allow burrowing, but it´s also toxic for them.
The animal looks like it hs a serious skin infection, which are most commonly the result of inadequate humidity, temperature and ventilation.
Ideally, you should take it to a vet, yes.

Also, you seriously need to learn the proper conditions for this species. The substrate should be top soil, shredded coconut, or a mixture of the two, with a layer of moss and leaf-litter on top, several hides, not just the one, so that there is a choice of humidity gradients.

Caudata Culture Species Entry - Salamandra salamandra - Fire Salamander

[Jay Redbond]

What I would suggest is that you remove both of the animals and setup the container with kitchen role that is damp for now, the water bowl and hide can go back in the container. With the Fire Salamander with the skin problem I suggest you get some Reptisafe ASAP which will help the skin as it adds electrolytes and help with slime development on the skin. You will need to bathe the Salamander in a mixture of water and reptisafe at 5:1 for 10 minutes making sure that the skin is fully submerged but remember not too much water about an inch, because if the salamander is week it could drown. Repeat this every day until the salamander has fully recovered dont worry about puting too much reptisafe in the bath the water should look blue.

Like Rodrigo said, I use a mixture of coir and pond compost which has been heat treated and is suitable for garden ponds. I also cover the substrate with moss and add oak leaves. I will add a picture of one of my setups later which might help you.

Hope this helps.

Jay

[kerri89]

Hi thank you so much for your replies..Will exo terra soil b ok? it says its fine for sal's. also il get some Reptisafe asap, thanks for the advise. any idea if i should change food or anything 2 help as ive not seen him eat crickets recently, he seems so week. I will aslo buy another hide for him.
thank you so much, il get on to improving the tank straight away.

[kerri89]

Ive got a sal breeding specialist having look at him tonight, who happens to live in the same villiage as me :) He said its a skin shedding propblem.
Im sure my sal will b back to good health in no time.
Thank you to you all.

[Rodrigo]

This shedding problems are no joke. Usually there is an underlying infection that causes the shedding difficulty and the tightness and dryness of the skin. If you provide adequate humidity levels with excellent ventilation and cool temps, it could shed it all as if nothing had ever happened, but there could also be trouble in the process, or recurrent issues with shedding. You need to make sure the housing is optimal. These are tough little buggers, so that´s the best prevention.

[sonic]

Well he has been looked at now and hopefully will be on the mend soon!!!

[kerri89]

I've been reassured my tank and conditions are adequate..and as you say they are tough little ones.
The male sal will receive regular antibiotics until back to good health, I trust that the breeder who has examined my Sal's (including my gravid female, who has NO shedding issue & lives in the same viv as my male) has given me all the necessary help I need to b a great Sal keeper.
I will make a small change, il be adding a small desk fan to regulate a breeze, just to be on the safe side but with having an expert with in walking distance im sure between the to of us my Sal's are in capabale hands.
Thank you.