F
frank
Guest
HI,
Unfortunately, there have been two large imports of T. shanjing and T. kweichowensis into Europe. Unfortunately because the status of these species in China is unknown (unless someone has relevant information) and most of the imported animals die within one year of importation. I know I shouldn' t post this on the net but I see it for the good of the salamanders: most of these animals are under a lot of stress: high densities, high temperatures, unhygienic keeping, (sometimes extremely) high parasitic loads resulting in immunocompromised animals. If you inspect these imported animals, look VERY carefully for ulcers, wounds, abnormal skin coloration, swollen limbs or tails and black pustulae. These are invariably bacterial infections, yielding nice and pure cultures of Aeromonas, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas and many others and, in my experience, MUST be treated with antibiotics (even the tiniest wound!). My treatment protocol of recently imported salamanders (mostly from Asia) is:
treatment against flagellates using metronidazole
treatment against nematodes using fenbendazole
if signs of bacterial infections: antimicrobial treatment based on antimicrobial sensitivity testing. I will not start giving dosages on the internet because this could get me into trouble with my colleagues.
It really DOES pay to go to a qualified vet with salamanders and newts too (although unfortunately only very few are acquainted with urodelans)...
I hope that lots of people will follow the example of enthusiasts such as Philipp Grundtner (who holds the studbook aren't you?) who do an effort to maintain this species by setting up breeding programs.
Unfortunately, there have been two large imports of T. shanjing and T. kweichowensis into Europe. Unfortunately because the status of these species in China is unknown (unless someone has relevant information) and most of the imported animals die within one year of importation. I know I shouldn' t post this on the net but I see it for the good of the salamanders: most of these animals are under a lot of stress: high densities, high temperatures, unhygienic keeping, (sometimes extremely) high parasitic loads resulting in immunocompromised animals. If you inspect these imported animals, look VERY carefully for ulcers, wounds, abnormal skin coloration, swollen limbs or tails and black pustulae. These are invariably bacterial infections, yielding nice and pure cultures of Aeromonas, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas and many others and, in my experience, MUST be treated with antibiotics (even the tiniest wound!). My treatment protocol of recently imported salamanders (mostly from Asia) is:
treatment against flagellates using metronidazole
treatment against nematodes using fenbendazole
if signs of bacterial infections: antimicrobial treatment based on antimicrobial sensitivity testing. I will not start giving dosages on the internet because this could get me into trouble with my colleagues.
It really DOES pay to go to a qualified vet with salamanders and newts too (although unfortunately only very few are acquainted with urodelans)...
I hope that lots of people will follow the example of enthusiasts such as Philipp Grundtner (who holds the studbook aren't you?) who do an effort to maintain this species by setting up breeding programs.
