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Question: What do you make of this?

I've only tried frozen blood worms and axi pellets. I'm going to visit iSuzie tomorrow and I might see what she's got and get some to try. For the moment though, Copper is in the fridge, but thank you for the suggestion.
 
gemsowner said:
Don't get me wrong, I'm open to other ideas, it's just that parasites is the only idea that anyone's given me that has made some sense. If anyone has any other idea's as to what Gem and Anda died from or what could be possibly wrong with Copper, by all means, suggest away.
Click to expand...

You mean like thiamine deficiency? I pointed out the potential direct link to this with certain feeder fish and shrimp.... And I pointed out that there is a lot of hype about "parasites" and feeder fish and even pointed out it was unlikely that actual parasites are causing the loss of appetite as many are diagnosed by word of mouth... and that vitamin insufficiency was a much more likely cause.

I also pointed out that metronidazole is only for protozoal parasites (and certain anaerobic bacteria like Clostridium) and will not change the level (if any) of worms, or certain coccidial infections.


Ed
 
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Congrats, your smart, I'm not. I didn't understand a word of that website and although I did understand that, ok, it might not be parasites, I did state that I currently can't afford any medications. I did look up a few websites for thiamine deficiency and the best I could find said 'Prevention is the best way to “treat” the thiamine deficiency'. Well, it's a bit late for that now. Just in case you're wondering what kind of pellets I gave all of my axi's, here's a link:

Aquarium Supermarket - AquaMaster Axolotl Food 150g

I also found another website saying:

'It is hard to tell the reason for a malnourished amphibian without examining it for a period of time, but often times in captivity it is because of a improper habitat, stress due to aggressive tank mates, internal or external bacterial infection, parasites, etc. When amphibians are sick or stressed they usually reject food. The rejection of food is a major warning sign of an illness.'

So, end of the story is, I still have no idea how to treat Copper for what ever it is that is making her refuse food. She's still very much alive and in the fridge.
 
Thank you. The good news is, Copper is still clinging on, and seems to have plenty of life left in her, she may not die yet :happy: The other good news is, tomorrow (sunday) I'm going to look at some babies bred by iSuzie :D I can't wait!
 
I am by no means sure about what I am talking about... but I was wondering if since the main issue seems to be that Copper needs to start eating, why is she in the fridge? Now don't go pulling her out just cause I am asking... I am not very experienced with sick axies, just wondering...

My axolotl doesn't like pellets at all, but gets all crazy over a wiggling earthworm. I really think you should give that a go! Hold the little squirmy thing right in front of her face!

I wish Copper the best! :happy:
 
Thanks :) As I said before, I'm going to iSuzie's today and when I do that, I will also be looking at how and what she feeds her axis, but of course, when I get some money, I will definitely give everything eatable to axi's a go! :) Also, I'm going to call up a vet near my place first thing Monday morning and see if she can be looked at and tested for anything. I want her to live!
 
gemsowner said:
Congrats, your smart, I'm not. I didn't understand a word of that website and although I did understand that, ok, it might not be parasites, I did state that I currently can't afford any medications. I did look up a few websites for thiamine deficiency and the best I could find said 'Prevention is the best way to “treat” the thiamine deficiency'. Well, it's a bit late for that now. Just in case you're wondering what kind of pellets I gave all of my axi's, here's a link:

Aquarium Supermarket - AquaMaster Axolotl Food 150g

I also found another website saying:

'It is hard to tell the reason for a malnourished amphibian without examining it for a period of time, but often times in captivity it is because of a improper habitat, stress due to aggressive tank mates, internal or external bacterial infection, parasites, etc. When amphibians are sick or stressed they usually reject food. The rejection of food is a major warning sign of an illness.'

So, end of the story is, I still have no idea how to treat Copper for what ever it is that is making her refuse food. She's still very much alive and in the fridge.
Click to expand...


It's not that I'm smart.. It's more that I've had close to 19 years (if you just count institutional work) caring for amphibians and I've worked with axolotls as well as many other taxa...

A failure to feed in an animal that is losing weight means that something is wrong but as I've been saying (and you repeated from another site) there are a wide variety of causes for anorexia in amphibians. It is too premature to leap to the conclusion that is parasites and then to attempt to treat with one medication which doesn't even affect a wide variety of potential parasites isn't a good idea for multiple reasons including the fact that you can kill the axolotl. Metronidazole overdoses are not pleasent to watch. If the animal surives it can have permanent neurological issues. In addition, if you worm an animal that has a large load of parasites you can cause the death of the animal as it can't handle the impact all of those decaying parasites on it's system.

If the axolotl has a thiamine deficiency then the vet can correct it (and yes the easiest way through proper feeding but that isn't the only way).
Putting in the fridge will reduce it's metabolic needs and help buy time to try and fix the axolotl.

Ed
 
I just thought I was a bit helpful. Probably not. :(
 
"If the axolotl has a thiamine deficiency then the vet can correct it (and yes the easiest way through proper feeding but that isn't the only way).
Putting in the fridge will reduce it's metabolic needs and help buy time to try and fix the axolotl."

Hang on, I thought I already stated that I was going to take her to a vet and that she's in the fridge? Whatever, you just keep thinking whatever you want to think Ed and saying things that I've already said and done, the vet will find out the truth and Copper with either live or die.

Morrison, you've been a great help, your knowledge on medication for parasites was very useful, the problem is, we don't know if it's parasites or not and I'm broke :(
Copper is very much still alive and I tried giving her a worm, but she just ignored it and moved away from it, even though I wriggled it in front of her face.
 
How did copper go at the vet??? Im sorry Im not help but Im watching this tread and hoping copper pulls through ok.
 
nothing to do with the illness but have you tried a good worm. Most even fussy axies will accept a nice wiggly worm and the best food for them.
I personally would not end their life as you should at least give them a chance. I find the cooler with in reason you can keep them the better.
 
Been to the vet, had a sample taken from her gill and she was x-rayed. She has a bacterial infection and is on antibiotics for the next month. Looks like she will pull through. I will start trying to feed her in about 3 days. Thanks to everyone for their support. :happy:
 
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