Illness/Sickness: Red Leg?

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philbaker76

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Phil
Hi guys,

A couple of my Axolotls (not currently in my care) have developed what sounds like red leg.

They don't sound like they're in great condition - I've instructed they be quarantined and put somewhere dark and cool.

They were all OK yesterday, no signs of stress and eating well. 30% water change weekly.

From some research - if it is red leg; it doesn't sound like their chances are good.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Cheers, Phil
 
Red leg is symptomatic of widespread infection and normally associated with secondary, opportunistic infection. If they showed no signs of illness yesterday it would be quite strange to see signs of red leg today, although probably not impossible if the infection was very severe. In my experience amphibians suffering from infection deteriorate over a number of days or weeks.

Bacterial infections can be caused by improper care/housing which leads to stressed and weak animals who are susceptible to illness. I’ve not kept axolotls myself but from what I’ve read they seem quite sensitive to poor water quality and high temperatures. The causes of the infection should be addressed if the animals survive.

Cooling the animals i.e. in a fridge may slow down the spread of infection and allow recovery.
 
Mark said:
Red leg is symptomatic of widespread infection and normally associated with secondary, opportunistic infection. If they showed no signs of illness yesterday it would be quite strange to see signs of red leg today, although probably not impossible if the infection was very severe. In my experience amphibians suffering from infection deteriorate over a number of days or weeks.

Bacterial infections can be caused by improper care/housing which leads to stressed and weak animals who are susceptible to illness. I’ve not kept axolotls myself but from what I’ve read they seem quite sensitive to poor water quality and high temperatures. The causes of the infection should be addressed if the animals survive.

Cooling the animals i.e. in a fridge may slow down the spread of infection and allow recovery.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark. Hmmm, might not be red leg - I've asked for a photo - sounds like they are hemorraging; which I assumed was red leg. I've read somewhere that pesticides could cause it, I wondering if the water has been contaminated somehow.

I've asked for the water to be tested; not heard how they're doing today - but I don't have high hopes.

I'm waiting for an update.

sherylbobbins said:
Are all the legs red?
Click to expand...

No, just signs of red along the body. I've asked for photos.

inkozana said:
I don't mean to be a bother but can someone exlpain to me what red leg is?
Click to expand...

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/reptiles/frogs/redlegdisease.html

Cheers, Phil
 
Photo

Just got a photo through, this is the worst one; of the three affected.

axolotl_red-leg.jpg
 
Re: Photo

My god. Get it to a vet ASAP. It needs antibiotics. To me it looks like some sort of infection that is in the bloody supply causing the capillaries to burst or something to that effect. But yeah... it looks quite like Red Leg Syndome to me.
 
Re: Photo

Antibiotics are not a cure-all. If the tank has been contaminated with pesticides, or they have viral hemmorrhagic septicemia, antibiotics won't do anything.

Could it be viral hemmorrhagic septicemia? Do you have VHS in the UK? I know there was at least one study (that escapes me now) about the susceptibility of amphibians to VHS, which is normally a fish disease.
 
Re: Photo

Kaysie said:
Antibiotics are not a cure-all. If the tank has been contaminated with pesticides, or they have viral hemmorrhagic septicemia, antibiotics won't do anything.

Could it be viral hemmorrhagic septicemia? Do you have VHS in the UK? I know there was at least one study (that escapes me now) about the susceptibility of amphibians to VHS, which is normally a fish disease.
Click to expand...

Forgive me. Antibiotics are wonderful things though.
 
Re: Photo

Thanks Kaysie, I don't know much/anything about fish disease - from a quick search; looks like VHS is around in the UK, but I don't think it's common.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_hemorrhagic_septicemia

The Axolotls are from my 08 spawn; these three (6cm approx) were together in a part covered 32ltr underbed storage container - with plants (plants been with them since hatching). I've found out they had a full water change two weeks ago, and a partial water change last week (due another today). ...so could be water as a full change was done last week (got a sample of the water on it's way to me).

There are more Axolotls in other 32ltr containers; fed the same food, cleaned at the same time and in the same place. All the other Axolotls are in very good health.

As they are in a farm building, I was wondering if something could have flown or blown in from outside (long-shot I know)???

They were all eating and looking well until Tuesday morning when they didn't look their usual selves (slow). Tuesday evening the photo was taken (and barely showing signs of life).

After this photo was taken, they went in the fridge. Not sure what to do, was going to leave them there for a couple of days - and just wait and see if it starts to clear.

I have a feeling you guys will have better understanding/advice on Axolotls than my local vet.

Cheers, Phil
 
Re: Photo

The red areas are the capillaries bursting. It could be caused by a number of bacterial or viral agents. I don’t know about the effects of water contamination but considering the lack of symptoms in other animals it probably shouldn’t be ruled out. The fact they were feeding on Tuesday suggests no prior illness which would leave them open to the normal causes of red leg. It’s all strangely sudden.

If it’s any help here’s a snip of the Livingunderworld’s red leg treatment info:
Successful treatment is varied, and dependent on the particular species, and the species state. Some species have been successfully treated by keeping them in a cold environment of 30°F - 40°F for one to two weeks, however many Aeromonids have been shown to adapt quickly to such temperatures. This could also be detrimental to the health of some species, especially those from the tropics. A. hydrophila, once isolated, have been shown to show susceptibility to enrofloaxacin (in vitro), gentamicin, and neomycin. The National Aquarium in Baltimore has successfully treated A. hydrophila infections in Phyllomedusa bicolor with oral trimethoprimsulfa. Resistances have been shown to ampicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulinic acid, cephalothin, erythromycin, lincomycin, penicillin, and sulfa/trimethoprim.
Click to expand...
http://www.livingunderworld.org/amphibianArticles/article0001.shtml
 
Re: Photo

Thanks Mark; I'll have a read.

Another potential contamination could be from reptile worming/paracite medication/treatments; it is around but no where near where the Axolotls are kept (not even in the same room).

I have been assured there is no way it could have got in with the Axolotls ~ but as you say; it's "strangely sudden" and only affected one container in what seems to be less than 24hrs.

I'll keep you posted. Cheers, Phil
 
Re: Photo

Sorry to say; all three Axolotls have passed away. :(

Thanks for posts - I'll do my best to find out what caused it. Cheers, Phil
 
Re: Photo

I'm sorry to hear that Phil. I hope you manage to find out what caused it, I'm sure the other members are just as curious to know.
 
Hi Phil,

Indeed, as Becky wrote: I haven't had anything to contribute to this thread but have been following it. I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope you do find out what caused it.

-Eva
 
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