Tylototriton skin parasite

[Willlis]

I have a group of four Tylototriton cf. kweichowensis three of which have what appear to be small white parasites on their skin. They were only present along the spine, mostly around the back of the head. I could only just make them out with the help of a jewler's glass but they were moving slightly and had a very rounded body shape similar to a mites. I am guessing that is what they are. These animals are in individual tubs, now with only paper towel and water. I rinsed and gently rubbed off the mites using tap water. I have had these animals for just about two weeks and they are eating quite well for me. One came in with two small what I then thought to be abrasions on the head now I think they were parasite related. Any other thoughts on further action? I do still have some panacur laying around but these parasites seem to be external. I would try to post a picture but I could not focus close enough to see anything.

 

[froggy]

I think that as long as the parasites (they sound like mites of some kind, like the ones carried by Paramesotriton) are removed and don't become an infestation the fewer drugs you expose the animals to, the better, particularly if they are not specifically reccommended for the parasite involved. If you can, you could preserve a couple of a microcope slide and get them ID'd by a vet, just to know what they are.

As long as the animals remain well I wouldn't try an intervention - it's likely to do more harm than good, particularly for new imports.,

Good luck with them

C

 

[Willlis]

Well hopefully all the mites are gone but because I know that is probably not true I'll see if i cant get some on a slide next round. I also prefer not to treat for parasites unless it is at an infestation level. Some level of parasite load is natural after all. Mostly I just hate mites, having dealt with them in reptiles enough times. My big fear right now is having these mites transmitted to another one of my amphibians. Good thing I have been taking care of them last and treating them as quarantine this whole time.

 

[FrogEyes]

I suspect they're free-living ["soil"] mites, and not parasites. If parasites are involved, there are apt to be clusters of them in the safest and most vulnerable spots - limb joints, ears, eyes, edges of the mouth, cloaca, etc. I would expect them to be darker-colored than "white" soil mites, but I know virtually nothing about arachnid parasites of salamanders, except that they exist and are often fairly host-specific.