Question: Salt baths and open wounds??

[Aimee]

After reading a recent thread, I am a little confused as to when it is okay to give salt baths when an open wound is involved. It seems there is a lot of conflicting opinions about it.

Could someone please clarify when it is and is not a good idea to give a salt bath to an axie with a flesh wound?

Also, I apologize if I should have posted this in the "Sick Axolotl" category. Since there isn't an ill axie involved in my question, I didn't think it was the appropriate place...

Thank you :happy:

 

[Darkmaverick]

Salt baths are indicated to treat fungal infections, some external parasites and has a slight antibacterial property as well. Fungal and most external parasites are not immediately fatal. They tend to be secondary infections due to an underlying condition. The underlying condition has to be treated first before the fungal treatment, otherwise the problem will recur. Furthermore you want to treat the illness not mask the signs.

If the wound is fresh, bleeding, very extensive, or has regions of necrotic tissue, it is best to first debride (remove dead tissue and debris) the site first. Salt baths (as in soaking the animal in a tub for a period of time) are not suitable with very fresh wounds. It can sting the site and actually interfere with wound healing. The wound cannot close effectively if the animal is soaked in salt water. With wounds like that, a course of antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories may be more appropriate initially. When the wound closes, salt baths can then be used to treat fungal infections.

With terrestrial species, it is ok to flush and 'lavage' the site with saline solution. With fully aquatic species, a quick rinse with saline solution is also ok. Prolonged soaking is not recommended at the initial stage.

 

[coichards]

So, from your experience, would you say that there is a high chance of an axie developing a fungal or parasitic after obtaining an external wound.

Or can it develop a wound and it heal properly without complication.

Sorry but this is a bit off topic...

 

[Darkmaverick]

If the water parameters and temperature are ideal and the nutritional demand are well met, most axies will recover quite uneventfully.

Open wounds seldomly lead to parasitic problems. If the environmental conditions are not properly taken care off, fungal infections are the most common secondary complication that can arise with wounds. Bacterial infections can also occur that may result in local abscesses or systemic bacteremia if left untreated.