Illness/Sickness: Hi I need help,advice please

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dazm2020

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Hi everyone I'm needing some help once again I just don't no what to do any more and can't find anyone local to help me my axolotl isn't right

1st of all she keeps getting black on her like a fungus type thing some does just brush off if you Run your finger along it...

2nd she has two very small growths on her one on her tail and one near her bum

3rd witch is the main problem at the moment she keeps gulping air and floating at the top of the water but you can she she doesn't like it,she twists around and keeps swimming fast into the side of her tank and seems to be panicking a bit.
The only way I can clam her down is changing 30%of the water but then by 12hours later she's back floating most the time.
I hand feed her bloodworm every day there's a air pump on 80% of the day and night, I have a spray bar fitted on the filter so the water isn't moving to much. I have sand as a substrate and use tetra aqua safe when changing the water
I changed 30% of the water at 6am before work today and have just done some water tests and they came out
Ammonia 0.25 ppm
Nitrite. 0. Ppm
Nitrate. 20-30 ppm

Ps Lizzy is about 9 years old I think

Can anyone help me please ??
Also is anyone in north east England that has a a lot of knowledge About axolotls
 

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Pretty sure the black growth is a type of bacteria growth I've read on here before usually starts under the vent. I think you need to take her to the vets to treat that.

As for diet she should be on earthworms. Bloodworms are only suitable for juveniles, not adults. As for your water it seems like something has mucked the cycle since you have a reading of ammonia. Test your water continuously to ensure the levels don't get high and do appropriate water changes.
 
Hi thanks for the reply the problem is I can't find a vet anywhere near to where I live that no about these the closest is around 200mile away so can't go there.
The cycle has maybe been messed up due to me having to keep changing water to calm her down.
I will try and find somewhere to buy some earthworms at the weekend and try her with these I take it I'd just buy small worms around 3cm?
What is the best way to no my tank is doing and finishing a cycle, I have read up on it but didn't understand it very well ??
Thanks
 
have you tried a good reptile shop for advice they are not all bad? have you spoken to local vets they may have contacts who could help?
 
Hi I live up in Northumberland, yeah I've asked in the reptile shops as I have lizards aswell,there's one vets that I'm going to ring that I've found to see if they car recommend anyone. In the past places just try and sell all different water additives that hasn't helped. :(
 
Maybe the OP should buy some antibiotics on ebay and administer them himself? Some gentamicin or the like?
 
GlowingFauxPas said:
Maybe the OP should buy some antibiotics on ebay and administer them himself? Some gentamicin or the like?
Click to expand...
So you recommend buy an ultra-strong antibiotic from an unregulated source, without professional advice or even a firm diagnosis, no knowledge of dosage or precautions?

No. Thats just stupid.

This axie need to be seen by a vet, swabs taken for culture to identify the problem, and appropriate treatment from a qualified vet can then be given.
 
auntiejude said:
So you recommend buy an ultra-strong antibiotic from an unregulated source, without professional advice or even a firm diagnosis, no knowledge of dosage or precautions?

No. Thats just stupid.

This axie need to be seen by a vet, swabs taken for culture to identify the problem, and appropriate treatment from a qualified vet can then be given.
Click to expand...

Unless he can't find a vet or afford one, in which case he's supposed to sit back and do nothing? Axolotl.org has precise instructions as to how to measure the dose and how to administer the medication.

In an ideal world you're right, but surely sitting back and watching his axolotl get sicker is also dangerous? The black growth is obviously some sort of infection. Gentamicin might cause hearing loss but better that Lizzy not ever enjoy a rock concert again than die.
 
To clarify;

I was unclear. OF COURSE you should see a vet if you can find and afford one. I'm only putting out an idea to be considered if you have no other options. I'm just suggesting a treatment I read on axolotl.org because it seems like a reputable website.

I hope your axolotl gets better!
 
1. Most antibiotics are only available in the UK via prescription from a qualified medical professional. It is possible to try and obtain some (illegally) on the internet from Eastern Europe, but the drugs supplied are often substandard, incorrectly lablelled with wrong concentrations or strengths, and often get confiscated at customs anyway.
2. The number one cause of bacterial antibiotic resistance is the overuse of antibiotics. Doctors and vets around the world have been using antibiotics routinely for prophylaxis for many years, resulting in these 'superbugs' that don't respond to treatment, and the pharmacology world is struggling to keep up with development of new treatments. The best way to tackle an infection is to identify the bacteria involved with a swab culture so that it can be treated with the most appropriate antibiotic.
NOTE: black bacteria would normally indicate a staphylococcus aureus infection - this is a bacteria that often throws out a resistant strain (MRSA, GRSA) so it important to identify before treatment.
3. Location and cost of a vet should be considered BEFORE purchase of a pet - ANY pet - but vets who will treat an axolotl are few and far between. The resource listed on here ('looking for a vet' in the stickies) is pretty good, but there is no harm in phoning around - some vets will take a swab even if they don't know much about axies. It's worth asking the questions rather than make a 200-mile trip. Pet insurance isn't expensive either, I've been quoted less than £50 to insure all my tanks against damage (and the damage to my house caused by a damaged tank), and 'named' axies for vet treatment.

Here is my take on the situation:
The problem needs to be identified first, so finding a vet who will identify or swab and culture is top priority. Some exotic vets will consult with non-specialist vets, especially if there is no other help available in the area. But there are at least half a dozen vets in Northumberland that advertise as treating exotics - there must be one closer than 200 miles.
The 'black stuff' appears to be only on the skin of the axie it hasn't progressed to a systemic/septacaemia situation which is good news. In the short term indian almond leaves are probably a good idea, as is isolation and a tank clean. Chlorinated water baths have also been suggested in the past.
Melafix is safe for axies, and has shown some efficacy in treating staph infections - have you tried this?

And I really hate to be the one to point it out - 9 years a good run for a pet axie, she may just have come to the end of the line and is succumbing to old age. I hope not, I hope you can get this infection sorted and she has some more good years ahead.
 
For future reference, is axolotl.org a bad source of advice in general, or are they just wrong on this point?


[ed: FYI, axolotl.org is brought to you by the same crew who bring you caudata.org. -otterwoman]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi people I see we have a debate going on here ^^
I havnt had time to read over it all yet as I'm at work but I will once I'm home tonight,
I may have found a local vet but I can't speak to him till he's in at the end of the week when he's at work :-( , but I have getting some earthworms today to feed her insted of the bloodworm

How many and how often should I feed her the earthworms??

Also I'm getting some cooling fans on my way home from work as her water is getting upto 23oC with it been hot hear at the moment and I read at the temp that it is she could be getting stressed and irritated due to it been to warm.

Thanks
Ps I'll get back to you's about the comments above tonight once I'm home :)
 
Yeah, anything over 20c opens them up to fungal infections, which may be the cause of your axolotl's sickness. Toss her in the fridge.
 
Buy a thermometer and measure different places in the fridge first though, some areas will be colder than others and you don't want your axolotl to freeze!
 
What do you mean put her in the fridge??
I havnt heard that before how long for?

Also do you's to no how many earthworms I should feed her in a day?
Thanks
 
GlowingFauxPas said:
For future reference, is axolotl.org a bad source of advice in general, or are they just wrong on this point?
Click to expand...

Axolotl.org has some fantastic advice and resources and is accurate 99.9% of the time. There are some debates over a couple of items, as with all on-line information sites.

Its advice on gentamycin is fine - but my point is that you need a diagnosis before you treat an animal, and that you can't get gentamycin in the UK without visiting a vet anyway.

@Dazm - feed her whtever she will eat, and try to keep her head as wide as her belly. My adults take one large worm evey other day, but sick axies may need more to give them energy to recover.
 
Ok thanks I'll get back to you's later before I get wrong for useing my phone :lol:
 
Only a vet will be able to advise you on treatment regarding this. This may well need a skin scrape or biopsy to identify the cause, then a treatment plan can be advised. I would strongly advise against trying to treat something like this without the correct diagnosis.

A veterinary practice is able to consult another practice regarding treatment. When booking your appointment state that you are bringing an axolotl in to be seen and if possible ask for an email address so you can send photo's prior to your appointment. Your local vet receptionist will also have a list of exotic vets or even vet schools that may be useful.
 
Hi I'm finally back on for 5mins I've never stopped since I got in from work I've gave her tank a good clean and done a large water change, had her in the fridge for a couple of hours made a twin fan to try and cool the water done they work but I'm not happy to leave then on a timer when I'm not home so I'm going to order these tomorrow
Look at this on eBay:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=181269883150

I also got her to eat a small/medium uearthworm she had a bit of a job with it after me hand feeding her bloodworm for years but hopefully she'll take to eating them better day by day.

Now auntie Jude thanks for the detailed reply that helps I have not tryed melafix but I'm willing to try it that's for sure but I've just looked it up and there seems to be different melafix's??
witch one is it you would recomend??
I'm not sure what indian almond leaves are but ill google them in a min,
I don't think she's coming to the end well I hope not as she's still strong and still feeding well normally on 3cubes of bloodworm a day but I'm try to change that to earthworms now.
It's going to be Thursday or Friday when I hopefully speak to the vet so untill then I'm just trying my best to help her.
Thanks everyone any more advice is great
 
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