Sick axolotl - Peeling skin coat, shrinking gills, maybe velvet?

[Keene]

I'm really worried about my little guy. He has spore like speckles covering his body, possibly velvet? Since I cant't treat him with copper, what do I do? Along with that his slime coat appears to be shedding and hiss gills are disappearing. I'm really at a loss for what could have caused this or what to do. He's been like this for a bout a week and appears to be worsening.

Parameters:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 20-40 ppm
Ph is fine. Temperature is 69. Tank has been cycled with two sponge filters for months. I feed a cube of blood worms everyday except one day a week. He's about a year and a half old and I got him at six months old.

Please help? I'm really scared for my buddy.

 

[Skudo09]

Could something have contaminated the water? I don't think axolotls get velvet (someone correct me if this is incorrect). Have you got access to a vet in your area? In the meantime maybe a black tea bath might help soothe the skin? It may be worth placing her in a tub of fresh, clean, dechlorinated water and do 100% water changes in the tub daily for now so you can monitor her more closely and in case there is something in the tank that may be upsetting her?

 

[Keene]

Thank you for the reply, I'm so scared for my poor baby! No, nothing would have gotten in the water. I can change the water just in case though. I really wish I had a vet in my area, none of the 'exotic pet vets' have ever even heard of an axie, much less treated one. How do I do a tea bath? Would a salt bath be helpful in this case? If I do put her in the tub, should I fridge her or would the loss of appetite due to the fridging be more detrimental?

 

[Skudo09]

It wouldn't hurt to do a large water change just in case. I would not do a salt bath as this is usually for treatment of fungus. Salt baths would also irritate the skin further. To do a tea bath, there is a guide in the link below if you scroll down.

Caudata Culture Articles - Illness Part 2

I would just keep the tub in a cool area but not in the fridge. I don't think fridging would be of much benefit. But if you can't keep the temperature down in the tub it may be better to fridge.

Keep us posted if she improves or deteriorates or develops new symptoms.