My axie looks like the joker :(

[87jets]

Hi all,

I am very new to this forum, I have a pair of Axies previously very healthy and happy and spawned about ten days ago.

However I came home a few days ago to what I though was merely a bad bump with bruising (not really sure that they bruise) or a bite mark on my girls face around her mouth. It didn't look too bad so I didn't worry too much, plus she was still eating so i figured she had probably just crashed into the wall of the tank.

But over the past few days it looks like her skin is peeling off and the wound is bleeding when ever she bumps it, it looks so painful.

I have isolated her and put her in the fridge. I added some salt to the water and left her in there for a few hours in the fridge. after a 90% water change i also tried a few drops of Betadine in the water as suggested by another web site. I am pretty sure the wound is either infected or has fungus.

I am not overly close to a vet and i think the movement might stress her out even more.

Please help me help my girl, all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Zarakityy]

My axie has that on her leg, she's not moving. Try giving her a salt bath?

[Caitie]

Ouch! Definitely looks painful...Probably having her in the salt all the time isn't the best (painful and stressful!) a more concentrated solution for a short period of time a number of times a day would be far more beneficial. This tutorial will guide you through the process (And has all the ratios you'll need) Salt bath Picture Tutorial
Also, are you close to Currumbin Sanctury or Australia Zoo? They're probably your best bet for QLD vets, and even if you can't get her to them, they may (no guarantees) be able to assist in getting her some stronger meds

And to the other members, any experience with betadine??? (I ask because the community may have deeper knowledge of the best way to use it, Jets)
Now, keep your head up, keep salt bathing, and know that you're doing all you can for her :)
Will have my fingers crossed for you!

[imzunicorn]

You wouldn't have to use betadine if you're using salt. Plus, I would be worried that the axolotl is sensitive to it.

Also, in my experience, using a small amount of salt in it's living water is far milder than doing a salt bath with a higher concentration. I actually killed a baby like that once. In the higher concentration they act panicked like it's painful, and I'm sure other members here who have tried it can tell you the same thing.

To me, it kind of looks like a fungus. What I do to treat fungal infections is put a small amount of salt and baking soda and do daily or twice daily water changes with this solution. It usually clears up the infection in about a week, give or take.

[TheAxolotlWhisperer]

If it's a fungal infection I would recommend salt baths. Salt isn't good for the axolotls, but it kill fungus so that's why it's more recommended to do baths than in the living water. I wouldn't recommend doing the full does right away for a few reasons:

1. Your axolotl will probably panic since it such a high concentration and they're not use to it
2. If you can get away with using less salt DO IT
3. You can always increase the dose gradually if need be.