Illness/Sickness: Urgent! Advice needed! One dead scared for the other!

[kellylillian]

With a heavy heart, I found my male axolotl dead this afternoon. He had been acting a little erratic but nothing that raised any alarms. My female just laid eggs and had been erratically swimming through out the tank but I assumed it was due to her laying. She also has what could be described as cuts or sore looking spots on her body. Her gills are also very very dark red (she is leucistic). The cuts or "sores" happened the last time she laid eggs so I thought it may have been due to her rubbing against her hides and ornaments in the tank. Now.. I do not know what they could be!
I'm not sure what caused his death. All I know is I CANNOT go through her dying as well.
The water parameters were all in a healthy range. My babies have always been healthy except for the occasional fungus once or twice in the past year. The only thing I changed was about a week ago when I fed them bloodworms for a few days. My supply of earth worms ran out and I was unable to find more until recently. The worms are also a different brand. I think he may have possibly been impacted? A few hours before he passed he was looking a little bloated and floating at the top of the tank. He was lethargic and having trouble staying upright. His cloaca was a little swollen too. Also it was more open than I have ever seen it. But he looked healthy still and would move when I startled him so I figured he was okay.
I do not know what to do to best protect her from the same fate.
She has calmed down now and is currently in a tub full of clean fresh cold non tank water. What should my course of action be? I want to do everything possible to save her life!! Sadly there isn't a vet in my area that would have the first clue as to help me.

The silver lining that is keeping me from being devastated completely.. is she just laid eggs so I still have a piece of him

I know this post is all over the place information wise and I apologize if its hard to follow. I am a mess and trying to frantically sort this out before her fate is sealed as his has been. I feel like I lost one child and can't stand the thought of losing another! :sad: :angry:

 

[kellylillian]

These are her cuts.. Or possibly sores.

 

[AxieLover21]

the splotches may be freckles or birthmarks.. i lost my one and only axolotl yesterday.. still very upset.. are you sure your female hasn't had a prolapse??

 

[kellylillian]

I am so sorry. I know exactly how you are feeling and what you are going through. It's awful!
They are definitely not freckles or birthmarks. That I am sure of. I'm leaning towards cuts. Does she look prolapsed? She doesn't to me but idk!

 

[RG]

Yes blood worms. Everyone gives them to their salamanders. I know where they are being caught and this is why I never fed them to my animals. In the past, bloodworms were caught here in Holland in drainage channels of sewage water treatment plants. They were collected there with hundreds of thousands. This apparently clear water is probably forgiven of bacteria and viruses and chemicals as remnants of medicines and hormones. The fact that they live there without predators like fish is questionable. If you buy them in the store you never know the origin, the people who catch them do not care if there is poison in the water. They only count dollars per kilo. Here in Holland you will find bloodworms in pet stores packed in small plastic bags. The origin can be from breeding but I leave them where they are. Bacterial infections that are internal are difficult to cure.

But it can also have been caused by the worms. You also do not know the origin and manner of breeding. Worms bred for fishing are not made for pet care. Buying food is always a small risk, but without this the hobby is impossible for most people

I do not know much so ask others for advice