Strange infection - need help!!!

[Tiffernugs]

Hi all,

My 2yo leucistic Penny ended up with a fungal infection on her gills about 5 weeks ago bc I forgot to return her fan to her tank so temps were in the 70s for about a month.

I treated with salt baths and gill fungus went away. Now, though, she has very unusual looking skin and black toe tips as you can see in the pictures. The skin has patches that are slightly raised but not fuzzy like a fungus, the almost look like superficial wrinkles. I will admit, one of her salt baths was like an hour bc my husband turned my timer off (I almost cried - this was about 2 weeks ago) so idk if this could be related to that.

I was told on an axolotl discord that they thought it was a bacterial skin infection and they recommended tea baths and methylene blue.
Methylene blue shipping is delayed, so I’ve been doing the following:
Tubbing (not in fridge) with 100% daily water changes
1/2 daily dose of Furan-2 (just gave 3rd dose)
Tea bath for 15 min 1x daily

She is eating about every 3rd day, and her activity and behavior is good. However, the Furan-2 does not seem to be working (I don’t really see any change), and everything I’ve found said to stop Furan after 4 doses.

So my questions are:
1. Has anyone seen something like this before? Does it, indeed, look bacterial?
2. When I’m done with Furan-2, should I try fridging?
3. Should I try another medication treatment next, like the Methylene or even Kanaplex?

My initial thought was to fridge with a low dose of methylene blue to see if that helps, but I am definitely not nearly as experienced with salamanders as many people on this site so I am really looking for help and advice.

Main tank parameters:
20g long
Temp: 67
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: between 10 and 20
Ph: 7.8

tldr: gill fungus turned to possible bacterial infection of skin - advice needed on how to proceed

 

[Calgarycoppers]

HI

Toe tips are normal. Don't stress about them.

Skin - looks rough but not infected

Is she tubbed?

Do you keep any salt, johns solution or holtfreters in the tank at all times?

What water conditioner do you use?

 

[Tiffernugs]

HI

Toe tips are normal. Don't stress about them.

Skin - looks rough but not infected

Is she tubbed?

Do you keep any salt, johns solution or holtfreters in the tank at all times?

What water conditioner do you use?

good to hear about the toes bc on the discord they were like THOSE TOES ARE NOT OKAY. I agree they look darker than they did a few months ago, but I didn’t think they seemed dangerous (but again she is sick so what do I know)

currently tubbed but not fridged.

don’t keep anything in the tank at all times usually, but she has had the Furan in there the last few days. I had some tea in her tank 24/7 about three weeks ago (small amount - barely colored the water) and that was in there about a week.

I use Prime. I just bought a new bottle,too, just to be extra safe.

tbh I am worried about columnaris bc I cant find any good pictures on leucistic skin?

 

[Calgarycoppers]

I will check the vet network I have access to.

I personally have never has luck with Furan 2 and its toxic to people.
I have used Sera Baktazid with success on an axolotl that was almost septic - half strength and add an air stone.

 

[Tiffernugs]

I will check the vet network I have access to.

I personally have never has luck with Furan 2 and its toxic to people.
I have used Sera Baktazid with success on an axolotl that was almost septic - half strength and add an air stone.

thanks for checking - much appreciated.

she did have like a weird stringy algae in the tank about a week ago and I’ve heard columnaris can form colonies in aquariums but i don’t really know - just including that info if it’s helpful.

I have never heard of sera baktazid...

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Only 1 mention of columnaris in an axolotl on the whole network which leads me to believe it is actually not that common.
That axolotl was treated with topical baytril by the vet.

I would do a thorough tank clean i.e. (stir substrate vigorously before a huge water change, give fake decor a good rinse or dip in hot water and vinegar) and start using either Pickling/Aquarium salt or Johns/Holtfreters solution with her in the tub and tank to help re-balance her environment.
I use John's solution in every tank and find I have zero issues with gills, fungus, skin etc.

Salt is 1 tbsp per 5-10g
Johns is 20% long term - 30% for mild treatment up to 7-10 days - 40% for aggressive treatment 3 days only
Holtfreters is similar to Johns but more natural compounds to axo environment - I just got all my compounds to mix my first batches.

Without a diagnostic confirmation I wouldn't randomly use antibiotics.

I just looked noone in the USA imports Sera which is sad.

thanks for checking - much appreciated.

she did have like a weird stringy algae in the tank about a week ago and I’ve heard columnaris can form colonies in aquariums but i don’t really know - just including that info if it’s helpful.

I have never heard of sera baktazid...

 

[Tiffernugs]

Only 1 mention of columnaris in an axolotl on the whole network which leads me to believe it is actually not that common.
That axolotl was treated with topical baytril by the vet.

I would do a thorough tank clean i.e. (stir substrate vigorously before a huge water change, give fake decor a good rinse or dip in hot water and vinegar) and start using either Pickling/Aquarium salt or Johns/Holtfreters solution with her in the tub and tank to help re-balance her environment.
I use John's solution in every tank and find I have zero issues with gills, fungus, skin etc.

Salt is 1 tbsp per 5-10g
Johns is 20% long term - 30% for mild treatment up to 7-10 days - 40% for aggressive treatment 3 days only
Holtfreters is similar to Johns but more natural compounds to axo environment - I just got all my compounds to mix my first batches.

Without a diagnostic confirmation I wouldn't randomly use antibiotics.

I just looked noone in the USA imports Sera which is sad.

thank you for checking on that.

so your recommendation is to keep either aquarium salt or johns/holtfreters solution in her tank 24/7 with varying concentration depending on the type treatment? I’ve honestly never seen anyone recommend that before, is there anywhere I could read more about it? Not to doubt your advice, I just like to do my research.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

My exotic axolotl vet recommends it regularily - I'll see if I can find you some public links - all the research facilities use holtfreters for axolotl health and have forever. I use the johns as it was easy to source supplies.

thank you for checking on that.

so your recommendation is to keep either aquarium salt or johns/holtfreters solution in her tank 24/7 with varying concentration depending on the type treatment? I’ve honestly never seen anyone recommend that before, is there anywhere I could read more about it? Not to doubt your advice, I just like to do my research.

 

[Tiffernugs]

My exotic axolotl vet recommends it regularily - I'll see if I can find you some public links - all the research facilities use holtfreters for axolotl health and have forever. I use the johns as it was easy to source supplies.

thank you!! So would you recommend tubbing with johns or holtfreters over aquarium salt? Would you recommend one over the other?

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Most effective is Holtfreters but you need to source either the mix from someone or the supplies to make yourself
Next is Johns Solution - all 3 ingredients easily sourced at grocery store or wal-mart
Then plain aquarium slat which is the same as pure pickling salt and pickling salt is sooooo cheap.

thank you!! So would you recommend tubbing with johns or holtfreters over aquarium salt? Would you recommend one over the other?

 

[Tiffernugs]

Most effective is Holtfreters but you need to source either the mix from someone or the supplies to make yourself
Next is Johns Solution - all 3 ingredients easily sourced at grocery store or wal-mart
Then plain aquarium slat which is the same as pure pickling salt and pickling salt is sooooo cheap.

thank you!!!

so one more question - does the skin not look like an infection to you? I know you said it looks rough, but isn’t that weird? It’s like weird star-shaped patches. Do you think adding solution would help that?

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Okay here is a link from Axolotl.org which is part of Caudata.org

Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity it was number 7 on the list

I don't think it looks infected. It looks rough and irritated.

I worked in vet med for many years both domestic and exotic pets. It just doesnt look infected.

And YES - The exotic vets I have talked to are huge advocates of slat solutions to treat aquatic species - they say it literally treats most issues along with resolving any water quality issues

 

[Tiffernugs]

Okay here is a link from Axolotl.org which is part of Caudata.org

Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity it was number 7 on the list

I don't think it looks infected. It looks rough and irritated.

I worked in vet med for many years both domestic and exotic pets. It just doesnt look infected.

And YES - The exotic vets I have talked to are huge advocates of slat solutions to treat aquatic species - they say it literally treats most issues along with resolving any water quality issues

Thank you again! You’ve been very helpful. I’ll discontinue the antibiotic and switch to the salt solution.

do you think I should fridge? I’m thinking no but just wanted to double check.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Here is a huge compilation of the research facility care for axolotls and most use holtfreters

https://ambystoma.uky.edu/images/suppleguide.pdf

No do not fridge

 

[Tiffernugs]

Here is a huge compilation of the research facility care for axolotls and most use holtfreters

https://ambystoma.uky.edu/images/suppleguide.pdf

No do not fridge

Hi again

so she’s been in a 20% aquarium salt solution for a couple of days (still trying to get my hands on everything to makes Johns) and she looks basically the same (rough bumpy skin) is except she has some red dots on her face. She’s eating which is good and acting normal,but I’m worried about these dots. Any advice? The spots on her face are definitely new today. Also the “rough” looking skin along her back looks yellower than it did.

I’m mostly worried about the red dots and not sure what to do. Thanks.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

You may need to look for a veterinarian at this point.

 

[Tiffernugs]

You may need to look for a veterinarian at this point.

Woah okay. That’s exactly what I was hoping not hear as Covid has literally fucked me economically.

do you have any idea what it might be? I would just like to do some reading.

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Could be an infection especially if you are seeing new symptoms.
Type I can't say that needs diagnostics

 

[Tiffernugs]

Could be an infection especially if you are seeing new symptoms.
Type I can't say that needs diagnostics

Got it. Makes sense. Thank you