Red Leg

[RICH123]

one of my axies is showing all the symptoms of red leg
hes eating little amounts and regugitating what he does eat later on in the night, he has red patches on his tail and is loosing weight, he was very unactive but is starting to move arround more also his gills are very pale what can i do to save him
could my other axies catch it of him
dont know what to do
Rich

 

[Lisa]

Generally, if they are unwell the fridge (above 5 degrees celsius) in dechlorinated water is the best place for them as it de-stresses them and enables healing. But you are in a cool part of the world at this time of year anyway. I've no idea what red leg is though, so I'm sure someone who knows lots more will help you soon. Good luck.

 

[digger]

Have you checked your water parameters? If not i suggest you do so.
In the meantime pop him in the fridge in some dechlorinated water, dont forget to cover the container and make sure you have a bottle of dechlorinated water in there with him.
If your readings are high start doing daily water changes 20/30% a day until they are normal.

 

[Nathan050793]

Isn't red leg something only frogs get? Anyway, I agree with the others, a trip in the fridge might do wonders.

 

[RICH123]

I think all amphibians can get red leg i will put him in the fridge the temp in the tank is cold anyway about 16-18 degrees, the nitrate readings are low about 20 mg or just under put havnt checked PH levels will do though,
i was reading up on axies with red leg and it was made out to be leathel in most cases and is hard to treat wondering if anyone knows any more about it?
Rich

 

[tyl3r]

...could my other axies catch it of him ...

From what I've read about red leg (I have no practical experience of it) it seems that the redness is caused by bleeding/haemorrhaging due to a runaway bacterial infection (of which there seems to be any number that can cause problems). So if your other axys are in close proximity I think there's a fair chance that their immune systems will be fighting the same nasties (but possibly currently having better success). So probably a good idea to separate and/or fridge the affected axy immediately just as much for your healthy animals as for the ill one.

As for moving forwards - would you describe your tank/setup as generally well cycled/filtered/maintained? Have you introduced anything recently that could have brought with it something nasty etc?

 

[RICH123]

Yes my tank is a new setup but i cycled it for two weeks i recently added another axolotl but she looks and acts perfectly healthy the water is clean and water changes are done once a week with declorinater added and nuriffin cycle. I only check nitrate levels and there fine but am going to start checking PH ,when the sick axie regurgitates the food the water gets merky but i then do a 10 percent water change to clear the water, the water flow in my tank was strong untill about 3 days ago and they where getting stressed so i dont think that helped
the axie is in the fridge now at about 7 degrees
does anyone think a vet is a good idea

 

[Lisa]

Only if there's one near you who knows about amphibians. You probably need to test for ammonia and nitrite too. Possibly your recently added axolotl may have meant your bacteria levels need to readjust and water quality could be temporarily compromised, despite your weekly water changes. If there's some ammonia there, you'll need to do more frequent, small water changes until your tank finishes cycling again. That, and obviously the flow from you filter, could have stressed your axie enough to make him susceptible to being sick.

 

[sheila robinson]

similar problem, red leg?

How is your axolotl Rich? Can you please let me know what you have done? My Moreton has very similar symptoms.

 

[RICH123]

He is in the fridge at the mo, he is not moving much caus its so cold in there, but before i put him in there he was really active and seemed to be happy best leave him in the fridge for a bit anyway just in case i will let you now how he gets on.

 

[Daniel]

If there really is a chance that your Axolotl has a bacterial infection I would recommend to visit a veterinarian even if he is not accustomed to amphibia. The vet should take a sample (blood, tissue) and do some micribiological analysis. Only a veterinarian can give you the right treatment for bacterial infections.
On the other hand I am not sure that your Axolotl really has such an infect just by your description but if you want to make sure, go to a veterinarian and let him do some tests.

Good luck to your animal!

 

[sheila robinson]

Hi Rich I took Moreton to vet on Thursday as his toes were diasappearing. It is Sunday evening and he seems to be on the mend.He is not tilting now. Antibiotics are added to a 2 litre bath for 2 hours a day. When he is in the bath I keep him in the fridge as his tank has a chiller.
Good luck .