RilWater
New member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2015
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Florida, US
- Country
- United States
I have cared for tiger salamanders for several years without incident, but in the past month I have had two salamanders pass away within 24 hours of the onset of the same symptoms. I am devastated by the losses and very afraid that this might be some sort of infectious virus or disease and that I may loose several more animals to it. If anyone out there recognizes these symptoms or can give me any advice I would be incredibly grateful!!! I will be taking a third animal that was housed with the afflicted to a vet for consultation in the coming week. As of yet, this animal is showing no symptoms. The two diseased animals were robust, active and did not exhibit behavioral changes until approximately 24 hours before they died. Their deaths were two weeks apart.
Symptoms in the order of onset:
1) lack of apatite/lethargy (not coming out or begging for food)
2) sever swelling near an orifice. Salamander 1 - male - ventral region, base of tale, both hind legs, abdomen seemed slightly swollen as well. Salamander - 2 - female - head and throat, both front legs, no swelling of abdomen.
3) bleeding - Salamander 1 was bleeding from his vent. Salamander 2 did not have any bleeding at all
4) Sever hemorrhaging/reddening of the skin. Both animals turned bright red on their bellies, legs, tails, and half way up their abdomens.
Husbandry:
Substrate - moist coconut fibber soil (ZooMed "Jungle Dirt")and ZooMed Sphagnum moss with some green coloration in case that fact is pertinent. The moss was added to the tank only a week before the first casualty and was still in the tank when the second animal died. It has now been removed.
Water - shallow tupperware dish. de-chlorinated. changed every 1 - 3 days.
Diet - night crawlers which come packaged in peat soil. cut in pieces, rolled in calcium w/ D3. fed by hand every 2 - 3 days, sometimes longer if the animal has gone to ground (my animals will occasionally spend a week or so under the soil without coming up)
Temperature - no special heat or cooling, air conditioned room which is regulated at approx. 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lighting - diffused natural light from a nearby window. no direct sunlight. room is dark for a minimum of 8 hours every night and is lit a full photo period during the day.
Changes made since illness:
1) Sphagnum moss removed.
2) All contents of the tank were removed, disposed of, replaced, or cleaned thoroughly with bleach and/or vinegar.
3) Variety added to diet. I am now feeding night crawler pieces with a couple of crickets, wax worms or freshly-shed super worms at each feeding and have added a vitamin supplement.
4) Separating the animals. I have separated some of the animals from the larger tank in hopes that it might stop the spread of this potentially contagious illness.
Any help in identifying this illness or tips on how to prevent further infection are greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!
Symptoms in the order of onset:
1) lack of apatite/lethargy (not coming out or begging for food)
2) sever swelling near an orifice. Salamander 1 - male - ventral region, base of tale, both hind legs, abdomen seemed slightly swollen as well. Salamander - 2 - female - head and throat, both front legs, no swelling of abdomen.
3) bleeding - Salamander 1 was bleeding from his vent. Salamander 2 did not have any bleeding at all
4) Sever hemorrhaging/reddening of the skin. Both animals turned bright red on their bellies, legs, tails, and half way up their abdomens.
Husbandry:
Substrate - moist coconut fibber soil (ZooMed "Jungle Dirt")and ZooMed Sphagnum moss with some green coloration in case that fact is pertinent. The moss was added to the tank only a week before the first casualty and was still in the tank when the second animal died. It has now been removed.
Water - shallow tupperware dish. de-chlorinated. changed every 1 - 3 days.
Diet - night crawlers which come packaged in peat soil. cut in pieces, rolled in calcium w/ D3. fed by hand every 2 - 3 days, sometimes longer if the animal has gone to ground (my animals will occasionally spend a week or so under the soil without coming up)
Temperature - no special heat or cooling, air conditioned room which is regulated at approx. 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lighting - diffused natural light from a nearby window. no direct sunlight. room is dark for a minimum of 8 hours every night and is lit a full photo period during the day.
Changes made since illness:
1) Sphagnum moss removed.
2) All contents of the tank were removed, disposed of, replaced, or cleaned thoroughly with bleach and/or vinegar.
3) Variety added to diet. I am now feeding night crawler pieces with a couple of crickets, wax worms or freshly-shed super worms at each feeding and have added a vitamin supplement.
4) Separating the animals. I have separated some of the animals from the larger tank in hopes that it might stop the spread of this potentially contagious illness.
Any help in identifying this illness or tips on how to prevent further infection are greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!
