Please help fungal infection?!

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sneakyb

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Hello so my male Axolotl, who is about 4 years old, has developed (I think) a fungal infection/foot rot, and is now biting off his feet and tail, so that bone is hanging out of his legs It is very distressing for him and for me to watch. I've salt bathed him, and he is in the fridge and has been for the past 4 days, no signs of improvement yet. He hasn't eaten for a week, and I'm seriously worried for him :( What do I do!?
 
First of all, I'm sorry your axxie isn't well, and I know it must be hard for you to see him like this.

I am wondering if the foot rot you mentioned was fungus and not something else, but if he is biting at it there may be a chance that it is irritating him (fungus apparently itches) so that might explain his sudden change in behaviour. He probably isn't eating because treatments for illness (and illnesses themselves) tend to stress these little guys out.

I would advocate a vet trip - necrosis of the skin merits vet diagnosis and treatment in my eyes. Apart from that, cool, clean water and a dark place will help him to cope. You can also keep trying to feed him, but given that he's poorly, he may not take it.

Is the fungus gone? Also, what are your water parameters like?
 
Thank you I'm taking him to the vet later this week, but if I'm honest it's not looking good!
 
I read about something similar while reading this
[FONT=&quot]http://www.ambystoma.org/education/guide-to-axolotl-husbandry. The circumstances are different but the symptoms sound terribly similar.
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Although we successfully use plastic containers, they must be kept very clean. Plastic tends to support the growth of a bacterial scum along the bottom and sides of the container. We have found that if this scum is not cleaned off periodically, the axolotls will develop sores on their toes and feet that will not heal. Instead the skin retreats up the leg and the toes eventually die and are sloughed off. If this happens put the axolotl temporarily into a glass bowl. Add a few drops of mercurochrome (enough to tint the water a pale orange) to the water as a disinfectant, and change the water frequently. The axolotl will heal nicely, and the toes will probably regenerate.
 
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