Bitten axie

Another case of the psychotic axolotl. My mum's axolotl has bitten my poor black axolotl while I was away for the weekend .



Should I give him a salt bath? He appears to have become fungus-y on one leg. He can still move both bitten legs which I assume is a good sign. Will he heal over? What's the best way of preventing infection? So many questions! Yeah I know the water looks a bit dodgy, I was cleaning the algae off the side of my tank. Thanks in advance for any advice

I would place your axolotl in a cool location in clean water and keep a really close eye on the wounds...if indeed its a fungal infection its time for the salt baths .

Hello

I hope this extra information helps.

Salt Baths and Fridge techniqes: While using salt baths on your axolotl ensure you only bath it for only 10 minutes and use 2-3 tea spoons, never leave the axolotl over ten minutes because the salt concentration can harm the axolotl's sensitive skin. You can also put your axolotl in the frigde because it can help the healing process.

External Sores: If this situation happens again observe if any external sores are not infected by fungas, if it is not infected Melafix (a anti-bacterial medication which contains tea tree oil) is reccomended for it's effectiveness against external sores. Melafix or any safe anti-bacterial medication can reduce the probability of open, external sores from fungal infections. (Tea baths are also effective but don't use it when infected by a fungal diesese because the salt solution will not absorb into the axolotls system).

Tank conditions: Ensure the temperature is not over 24 degrees because it can increase the chance of fungal infections because fungi inhabit moist warm environments and the axolotls slime coat.

Clean Tank: I think I've read that if two axolotls or more are in the same tank the whole aquarium must be quaratined to prevent further spreading, also have you checked your Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH.

I will find you links on preventing and treating fungas, how to use salt baths and tea baths and using the fridge.

I hope your mother's axolotl heals.

Good Bye.

Hello again.:frog:

I have found the links.

http://www.axolotl.org/health.htm

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/illness.shtml

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/illness2.shtml

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/illness3.shtml

http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54337

I hope these can help you and other axolotl owners.:talker:

See you later:rofl:

Thank you oh so very much! The poor little creature's arm seems to be rotting away. Will it just fall off or something?

If it does fall off it can grow another one

sherylbobbins said:

Thank you oh so very much! The poor little creature's arm seems to be rotting away. Will it just fall off or something?

Click to expand...

Hi Sheryl,

It would of course be better if you can treat the infection rather than waiting for the leg to fall off, as infections do so love to spread. In the links Kiowa provided you will find plenty of information for healing your baby, and if you have questions, that's what everyone is here for. In an extreme case, if the leg needs to be removed, it will probably require amputation (but only if you really cannot heal it!). Do you have a nearby veteranary doctor who is familiar with amphibians? Perhaps s/he can help.

-Eva

Hello

You are very welcome sherylbobbins and thank you. Axolotl members (as blueberlin mentioned) love to help with many questions.

Good Bye

I just completed an assignment on disease in axolotls so I've got a fair idea how infections like to spread lol. I strongly believe the leg is going to fall off or just continue rotting. I live in a rural area in Australia so I highly doubt any vet around here would even have the slight clue about how to deal with axies. Poor little Sarge. Thanks everybody for the help and wish me luck =)

Good luck to you both!

sherylbobbins said:

I just completed an assignment on disease in axolotls so I've got a fair idea how infections like to spread lol. I strongly believe the leg is going to fall off or just continue rotting. I live in a rural area in Australia so I highly doubt any vet around here would even have the slight clue about how to deal with axies. Poor little Sarge. Thanks everybody for the help and wish me luck =)

Click to expand...

Hi Sheryl,

Although the vet nearest you may not know much about axolotls in particular, he or she will certainly know how to amputate the limb safely. :happy:

Cheers Jacq.

Seriously, I don't trust a vet when they have limited knowledge on what they're doing =( I have some updated pics of little axie. I can't seem to stop the fungus. I've been giving him 1-2 salt baths every day and the fungus has gone down a little but not as much as I hoped. The main thing is he's still alive which is more that was found when i discovered him - he wasn't moving even when prodded and he was lying on his side. My uncle went to take his body out and he spontaneously started moving again lol

Some updated pics:

sorry about the massive pics

Hi Sherylbobbins,

Wow.. I'm definitely no expert, but to me that looks pretty bad!

Make sure you keep up with the fridge and salt bath techniques! Maybe more frequently???

I hope someone else has some more ideas asap for Sherylboobbins!
&
I hope your axi gets better, it distresses me to see the poor little guys unwell!

Moony

Oh I know I know! It pains me to see them like this too. It always seems to happen a few months after summer. Maybe they're stressed because of the extremes in temperatures.... the last few months have been really warm in the tank and suddenly this month the temp. of the tank has gone down to 10 degrees celcius. What's a mummy to do?

Curse you global warming!

Thanks for the support everyone, I really appreciate it.

Hello Sherylbobbins,

You can try picking off most of the fungus using tweezers. This should stop it from spreading any futher because it will if it isn't treated in time.

However, amputation is looking more promising now.

Jay.

That's actually a pretty reasonable idea. Would it be best to do it during a salt bath or not? Is it possible to amputate at home? I know it sounds horrible but I think I have everything that I need to do it except for pain relief. But if the flesh is already dead, would he be able to feel it?