Treatment confusion

[jikaru]

Hi all,
5 days ago I received an upside down lotl from my frustrated daughter who in her best efforts, tried to treat it. She doesn't know what happened, its been in its own container without substrate.
I immediately put it in the fridge and went on line to find a remedy..Here comes the confusion:

Remedy 1. Refrigerate and give salt bath for 10 - 15 minutes 1 or 2 times a day for 3 consecutive days. Dosage: 2 - 3 teaspoons of salt per ltr. Use table salt, cooking salt or iodized salt but not low sodium.

Remedy 2. same as above but do not use table salt, cooking salt or iodized salt.

Remedy 3. This one shocked me abit... The 10-15 minute bath wasn't working so the lotl was kept in the salt solution for 4 days. The lotl recovered and the bloating never reoccurred

Question 1. Why not use cooking, table or iodized salt, what happens if you do?

Question 2. What did the lotl look like after the 4 day salt bath, what side affects where there?

I don't know if my lotl is male or female. Please don't tell me about lumps, I think its too young for lumps.... hahaha thats sounds funny.... "you'll get lumps when you grow up, be patient". haha

anyway, I would verymuch appreciate your input. It can only enlighten me or confuse me more... Thanks

 

[bellyache]

Hi all,
5 days ago I received an upside down lotl from my frustrated daughter who in her best efforts, tried to treat it. She doesn't know what happened, its been in its own container without substrate.
I immediately put it in the fridge and went on line to find a remedy..Here comes the confusion:

Remedy 1. Refrigerate and give salt bath for 10 - 15 minutes 1 or 2 times a day for 3 consecutive days. Dosage: 2 - 3 teaspoons of salt per ltr. Use table salt, cooking salt or iodized salt but not low sodium.

Remedy 2. same as above but do not use table salt, cooking salt or iodized salt.

Remedy 3. This one shocked me abit... The 10-15 minute bath wasn't working so the lotl was kept in the salt solution for 4 days. The lotl recovered and the bloating never reoccurred

Question 1. Why not use cooking, table or iodized salt, what happens if you do?

Question 2. What did the lotl look like after the 4 day salt bath, what side affects where there?

I don't know if my lotl is male or female. Please don't tell me about lumps, I think its too young for lumps.... hahaha thats sounds funny.... "you'll get lumps when you grow up, be patient". haha

anyway, I would verymuch appreciate your input. It can only enlighten me or confuse me more... Thanks

Pics would be good to start with.
I would get a small tub and fill it with just enough water to cover it and then place the axolotl in it so its feet are on the ground, that way it will feel safe and not float.
I would place it in the fridge for a few days without salt, just use dechlorinated water and nothing else.
that will de-stress it and if left in peace it should recover.
Just watch it for a few days but try not to disturb it.
See what happens and report back

 

[jikaru]

thank you bellyache,
I've been doing exactly what you've suggested except I have been taking it out twice a day for a salt bath and feeding. But I think I'll do as you say and leave it in the fridge in peace for a couple of days..

Thanks

 

[Elise]

The salt used in treatment should always be non-iodized. Salt treatments are usually reserved for fungal infections, some select parasites, and as a hypertonic solution for edema.

More information on salt baths can be found in the following article: Caudata Culture Articles - Salt Solutions in Treating Salamanders

Floating as the only symptom wouldn't merit any salt bath treatment in my opinion.

 

[jikaru]

Thank you elise,
I have read the caudata articles and is where I found the confusing remedies. However I did find an article concerning iodine used for inducing metamorphosis. Basically the article said not to use iodine, which is what iodised salt has, because it is poisonous to the lotl's and basically the owners who use iodine are killing their lotl's.
So I've found the answer to my own question about why not use iodised salt.

Thanks again Elise...

 

[jikaru]

Checked on my little baby today and found her on all fours, totally elated, but when she went to eat she wobbled and fell onto her side... But she's doing well. A little longer in the fridge might bring her right..

cheers

 

[jikaru]

Because this thing is fighting hard for its life, if its a boy my daughter named him Ali, if a girl, Allie... attached is a pic of it after 5 days in the fridge.... This little thing is a true fighter and I will do everything to help it survive.

 

[blushed]

Poor little thing. Im glad you've joined Caudata and you are trying to save him/her!

Sometimes axolotls get air built up and get stuck like that until they pass the air. I do hope that is all that is wrong and that she/he will be better soon!

 

[jikaru]

Thanx, I'm really glad I joined Caudata too.
I've had her out of the fridge for 2 days now so she can eat properly. At the end of the first day she turned herself over and began eating but kept falling over when she took a bite. The 2nd pic is where she reside's in a vege strainer suspended in the other lotl's tank ( filtered water etc..).... She's getting there and I'm right there with her..

 

[tammyaxie]

This looks like a tiger salamander

 

[jikaru]

Nah.. all he brothers and sisters look just like her only bigger and the right way up..... I wish I did have one though..