Aeromonas Veronii
Just heard back from the vet about my Medusa, who I posted about a few weeks ago.
To fill you in, her body turned pink and her tail erect. Her legs became swollen. Within a couple of days her toes started to disintegrate, and the bones were visible and dissolving too. The vets, including an exotics specialist had no idea what was causing it. She was treated with antibiotics but had to be put to sleep when her underbelly became ulcerated.
It only took 4 days for her to go from her toes turning white to her death.
I asked for a post mortem and for lab tests to be done, in case my other axies got sick.
Vet has called and it was a bacteria called Aeromonas Veronii. It is water borne and is resistant to 4 antibiotics including Baytril, which is used for aquatics.They are not sure what antibiotic would work on this bacteria. It causes diarrhea in humans apparently and liver damage in dogs.
Medusa also had septicaemia which explains the red colour of her body.
My 2 males are fine and showing no symptoms and the tank water has tested negative. The thinking from the vet is that she may have been a carrier and not contracted it and this would explain why the 2 males are okay.
This bacteria is prolific and caused so much damage to her wee body in such a short time.
I wanted other owners to be aware of it.