I'm REALLY worried about my fire bellied newt. About two weeks after I bought him, he developed a fungus infection. I thought I caught it early, and I researched some methods of treating it, so I put him in the fridge and gave him mild salt baths every 12 hours, as suggested by various online sources. After the fungus disappeared, I continued the treatment for 3 more days, as suggested, but I felt like they were stressing him out more than helping, so I lessened the concentration of the saltwater. (I noticed that he seemed to be shedding his skin, which I know is normal, but the fungus had also left sores on him, which worried me) After that, I felt like it would be alright to put him back in his tank. (I had already super-cleaned his tank and all the rocks and plants and things with very hot water -no soaps or chemicals) His tank is filled with dechlorinated water, which I try to keep at or below 70F. He has a rock he can climb onto, and some plants and things. It seemed like a good set up.
But after that, he still wouldn't eat, and then the fungus came back. I put him in the fridge again, and I want to try actual medicine, but I haven't been able to get any yet. I feel like the salt stresses him out too much, and it hurts his sores, plus, when I bathe him now his sores start bleeding. He hasn't eaten in 2 weeks and I'm worried he won't be strong enough to make it through this second wave of infection, and also his skin is shedding AGAIN, so now I'm worried that being in the water too much is making his skin deteriorate.
I've been trying to figure out if being in the water too much is bad for them, or what to do for his skin sores, but I can't find ANYTHING and I'm so worried about him. I feel like he's suffering and I have no idea what to do.
I was considering putting him in a mostly terrestrial environment, since he seems to seek out dry land now, and seeing if he might be able to heal up and maybe eat at some point. Is this a good idea? Will the fungus not be able to grow in a drier environment? (I'd of course have SOME water for him, but not submerged)
Please help. I'm so stressed out and worried for him. I feel like he's suffering and I have no idea what to do and I can't find any information to help. Everything I've found so far seems to contradict itself.
I've read things that say "keep them in 80+ degrees" or "keep them in 60-70 degrees" or give them 4-6 inches of water or just one inch. NOTHING is being helpful, and no sites are telling me how to treat him or if being in the water too much is harmful or anything.
Please, please, please help. I've been trying so hard to take care of him and I feel like I'm being given all the wrong information. Please help.
But after that, he still wouldn't eat, and then the fungus came back. I put him in the fridge again, and I want to try actual medicine, but I haven't been able to get any yet. I feel like the salt stresses him out too much, and it hurts his sores, plus, when I bathe him now his sores start bleeding. He hasn't eaten in 2 weeks and I'm worried he won't be strong enough to make it through this second wave of infection, and also his skin is shedding AGAIN, so now I'm worried that being in the water too much is making his skin deteriorate.
I've been trying to figure out if being in the water too much is bad for them, or what to do for his skin sores, but I can't find ANYTHING and I'm so worried about him. I feel like he's suffering and I have no idea what to do.
I was considering putting him in a mostly terrestrial environment, since he seems to seek out dry land now, and seeing if he might be able to heal up and maybe eat at some point. Is this a good idea? Will the fungus not be able to grow in a drier environment? (I'd of course have SOME water for him, but not submerged)
Please help. I'm so stressed out and worried for him. I feel like he's suffering and I have no idea what to do and I can't find any information to help. Everything I've found so far seems to contradict itself.
I've read things that say "keep them in 80+ degrees" or "keep them in 60-70 degrees" or give them 4-6 inches of water or just one inch. NOTHING is being helpful, and no sites are telling me how to treat him or if being in the water too much is harmful or anything.
Please, please, please help. I've been trying so hard to take care of him and I feel like I'm being given all the wrong information. Please help.