White Bumps

[tg23]

Hi All, my axie is about 6-7 years old and seems to have some kind of smallish white bumps down one side starting just behind the gills. I noticed one about 1 year ago and there now seems to be more of them (pic below). She is otherwise in good health and it does not seem to bother her. Water temp is between 14-16 degrees C, very large rocks used in tank, ph about 7.4-7.6, no ammonia etc. I do 25% fortnightly water changes and feed gutloaded crickets every 2nd day.

I have had her for a long time and am concerned she has some kind of tumor developing. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

 

[Kerry1968]

I'm sorry I can't see the bumps you are referring to.

Have you seen this thread http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=63082 ? Do they look anything like that?

Any chance you could get a clearer picture?

 

[tg23]

Sorry for the photo quality that is the best my phone will do. The lumps look nothing like those in the thread mentioned. I searched the forums but couldn't find anything like it.

If you look closely at the photo they cover the first 3 costal grooves. They are about pea sized I guess you could say. I can probably see them in the photo because I know they are there. I will see if I can get a better shot if they still aren't visible.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Are the white bumps pimply like and in a straight line along the lenght on both sides of the body? I would say they are normal features of the lateral line system. They are aggregates of sensory tissues.

If the bumps you refer to are assymetrical, appears to be getting more numerous and growing in size, it is worth a visit to the vet to get a thorough diagnosis. It can be anything from an abscess to a tumour growth.

 

[tg23]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. They are kind of in a square pattern then one in the middle of the square. I will upload some more pics later on tonight, see if I can get a clearer shot.

They do not appear on the other side of her body.

She had one of them about a year ago, just recently I have noticed there are five. The extra four don't appear any different to the original one. So over the course of about a year the first bump has not got any worse or changed in size, colour etc. Just more of them have appeared.

 

[tg23]

Not sure if these pictures will help anymore....

 

[Darkmaverick]

Oh i see what you mean. They certainly don't look normal. I would suggest you bring it to a vet. A fine needle aspirate will be a minimally invasive and quick procedure that can quickly give you a rough diagnosis.

Meanwhile, to be on the safe side, its best to isolate this axie from any others that you may have.

 

[tg23]

Thanks for this Rayson. There has been some more development as she now has red patches all over her. I hope you can see something in these pics.

She has a red blood kind of spot on the end of one gill stalk, red patches down one side of her body, and what looks like a rash or what eczema would like on us under her chin and around her legs.

White bumps still present as well, no change in them.

She lives on her own. Just tested water again: ph- 7.4, ammonia - 0, temp - 16.4 C

Just gave her 10 mins in a salt bath but I don't know if it will help.

So far, I have not been able to locate a vet in the ACT that can help.

Is there anything I can try aside from salt?

 

[Darkmaverick]

Hi there,

Have a look at this list.

http://www.caudata.org/axolotl-sanctuary/vets.shtml

So far you are doing well with ensuring good water parameters and temperature. Do you also test for nitrites and nitrates? What are you feeding the axie?

There are a few differentials i can think of.

1 - A bacterial scepticaemia such as aeromonas or chlamydophila infection.
2 - A platelet clotting defect (petechiation)
3 - Hypersensitivity to substance (metals, plastics, chemicals)

I would like you to handle the axie very carefully and take not to wash your hands with soap. Again, isolating the axie is best.

Here are a few things you can try.

1 - Use (or replace) activated carbon and zeolite granules in your filter for chemical filtration. Sometimes, our water supply comes 'contaminated' with certain chemicals that we may not detect just based on the water parameter test kit. The activated carbon will remove trace chemicals, phenols and organic debris whereas the zeolite will rid harmful nitrogenous buildup. If your axie has a hypersensitivity issue, hopefully this would help resolve.

2 - Sometimes, malnutrition and toxicity can cause clotting defects. Chemical filtration can help if trace toxins are in the tank. A good diet of live earthworms and bloodworms can support good circulatory health.

3 - Fridging. That would impede any scepticaemia cases and shunt the blood away from the peripheral vessels. It is palliative but not curative. http://www.caudata.org/axolotl-sanctuary/Fridging.shtml

Cheers

 

[tg23]

Thanks for that. After doing some reading I am pretty convinced it's a bacterial infection, red leg probably.

Managed to get her to the vet today and she had an antibiotic injection. Before it went in the red was going almost purple over her body and seemed to be spreading every time I looked at her.

4 hours on and her poor little leg is bright red from where the needle went in but the red over her body has gone down considerably.

She is going to have 4 more shots over the next 8 days.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Excellent. Aeromonas infection (red leg) was the first thing that came to my mind. I am glad you took the axie to the vet in the nick of time. Did you go to a vet listed on the herp vet listing?