Question: Axolotl with twisted limb

[axolotl james]

Hey everybody,
Since a couple of weeks, i've noticed that one of my axolotls has his front leg twisted all around. I thought it would just twist back at first, but it didn't. Now he has trouble walking and looks very weird if he tries. I have includrd some photos.
Do any of you know what it is and what i can do about it?

Thanks you very much

 

[NexSocius]

When you say ‘one of my axolotls’, are you meaning you have more than one in the same tank? If so, it’s possible that one has had a chomp on the leg. Even if they have been living together for a long time, sometimes it can happen. My two have been together for 4 years, and just recently, Pripyat bit Chernobyl’s leg and hurt his toe. All 3 are now separated with dividers.

This post may or may not help: https://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=90570&highlight=Twisted+limb
I don’t know much about this, but I do know that amputation may not be the answer- just because they can grown their legs back, doesn’t mean we can just cut them off. As the post points out, if they are not in any apparent discomfort, they should be fine.
I can’t see the injury very well in the pics, is the skin broken or the leg just bent? I took Chernobyl out for a week and tubbed him with twice daily changes, just so that no nasty tank germs would get into the wound and give him an infection.

 

[axolotl james]

Yes, I have 3 axolotls in my aquarium. The leg isn't broken or anything, it's just twisted around 180 degrees en he doesn't use it anymore. He doesn't seel te be hurt, but he can hardly walk and puts his face against the glass cause he has no support. I don't know what to do. Do i leave it, do i amputate it or do i go to a vet nearby (if they even know what axolotls are).

 

[xxianxx]

Looks like a dislocation but I'm not a biologist and am not familiar enough with axolotl physiology to know. Pm a couple of mods, there's a few biology/zoology phds in their ranks who may know.
If it is a dislocation don't try popping it back in yourself without expert advice.

 

[Axolotlee]

It looks broken did he run into somthing or jump out the tank?? Fall??? Maybey if the others had a bite of him and just yanked it out as the previous person said. But I don't see any broken skin on his arm but his face does look a little tattered yeah I would take him to a reptile vet

 

[Biev]

It looks either broken or dislocated. Definitely take her to a vet! Even if they haven't seen an axolotl before. They can take an xray, and set the bone so that it doesn't heal in a weird position, which is the main concern here. They will also be able to anesthetize her first.

 

[axolotl james]

Yes, but for some time, he could just "pop" it back in and he was fine. But lately, he doesn't look able to pop it back in. it's like he dislocated en popped it back in too many times. I will look up an exotic pets vet and call them.