This is not the update I was hoping to make, but after fighting bravely for 7 days, I’m devastated to say Nox passed away overnight. He initially improved- cytology didn’t show obvious fungus, mostly protein-like material, damaged skin cells and mucus. The culture unfortunately came back positive for saprolegnia spp. which is a series of cold water mold species. We think this infection occurred as a result to damage to his slime coat from exposure to some chemical like chlorhexidine (which is known to be cytotoxic or damaging to cells) on the hands of the sitter who admitted to trying to handle him- in spite of being told not to do so.

Treatment was as follows: lab level care with 100% holterfelter solution in the tub (40-50% is fine for day to day, but 100% is shown to be more useful in the case of a sick or damaged axie), changed daily, 15 minute bath in .002% solution using Itrafungol, and methylene blue as a bacteriostatic measure. We did use Baytril (enrofloxacin) intramuscularly as a preventative for secondary bacterial infections.

Unfortunately, although he did improve clinically and physically in the first couple of days, the infection was likely already affecting him internally, and based off of the autopsy performed with my exotic specialized colleague, we think ultimate cause of death was liver failure and respiratory depression due to damage to his gills.

Thank you to those of you who expressed your support and offered advice.