Help ! Axolotl is sick and condition is deteriorating !!!

[axoltlmad123]

Help. Harley is getting worse he has started eating again but is still to thin and looking so unwell. It started a while back I don't know what is going on I am afraid I am going to lose him. I've lost axi I can't lose harley to. He is in an in cycled tank but having large daily water changed. I am trying to do a fish in cycle or should I say axolotl In cycle.

Axi died after I didn't quarantine so I know my fault but I won't make the same mistake. She ended up laying eggs ..cutting her gill and getting fungus and dyeing she was dead within a week of laying the eggs. She was my first ever axolotl and I will never forgive myself . I don't think this is the same thing though I think this could be something else because his condition has gotten worse over a longer period of time.

NOTE!! I have taken him to the vets on several occasions they assured me they knew what they were doing and each time I have taken him they have prescribed a course of antibiotics baths. Last time I took him I came to the conclusion that they didn't know what they were doing as they told me a few things that through here I knew were wrong. Also I asked if they would take a bloodtest they said they couldn't but they can see it is a bacterial infection .

I have been trying to find a good axolotl vet that is as close to me as possible I am in Thetford Norfolk. . . I phoned loads of practices up one told me that if all his feathers had gone on his gills and he can't breath properly there is nothing they can do and euthanasia is the best thing . They told me that without even seeing him . I also phoned zoos and sealife as I was told they keep axolotl. I feel so stuck.

He has now started gulping air again. Has lost nearly all the feather's on his gills. They are really short now . I'm devastated. What do I do ? Need advise ASAP . Also the pictures of him in bright light are before they are when I first got him.

 

[Skudo09]

I am sorry you are having a difficult time with your axolotls. I am a bit confused as you mentioned he is in a cycled tank but then you mention you are doing a fish in (or axie in) cycle. Is your tank fully cycling or in the process of a establishing a cycle?

From the photos, he appears quite bloated. This could be an indication of a bacterial infection or could be something such as organ failure. Below are is a link to some info that may or may not be useful.

Caudata Culture Articles: Bloat

Veterinary attention in this case may be necessary. Maybe some members here could offer you more advice or may know a vet that may be able to assist you.

 

[axoltlmad123]

I'm ever so sorry I don't know why I typed he is in a cycled tank. He is not in a cycled tank his cycle crashed . I know he needs a vet but all the vets near me don't have a clue.

 

[Skudo09]

No worries at all, I was just a bit confused . Have you got access to Furan 2? Reading on the axolotl.org website, this is a good all round antibiotic and maybe it would be worth a go? Although, if the bloating is due to organ failure such as kidneys, there may be little you can do. But it may be worth trying Furan 2 if you have it available in your area.

Hopefully some more experienced members can chime in though and may be able to offer some better advice.

 

[axoltlmad123]

Okay when you say bloated do you mean his face as he was like that the day I got him? Someone else has mentioned hI'm looking bloated.

 

[Skudo09]

His whole body looks bloated to me. It may be good to get a view from the top as well but from the photos I can see, there is not much definition of a neck. But yes his head does look particularly bloated compared to the rest of his body.