CFBN is hurt and I would like some advice...

[Firebelly X]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the site and the amphimbian world. I am a proud owner of "Cisco" my Chinese firebelly newt. I have done abit of searching on this site about what to do in my case. You see last thursday i left work and Cisco was fine, then I return friday morning and his front right leg is hurt. I am not sure if maybe by accident he hurt himself OR if someone miss handled him while I was gone. Anyway I do not see any limb rot he just keeps his little foot in a fist and bent to his side. I do not see any visible growths or fungus or any limb rot. I want to leave amputation as a last resort any suggestions???

Here's a pic that may help...

 

[Dyelon]

Hello, you mentioned how someone may have "mishandled him" and although i'm not sure what you meant by this, I would never recommend handling.

 

[Firebelly X]

Hello, you mentioned how someone may have "mishandled him" and although i'm not sure what you meant by this, I would never recommend handling.

What I meant by mishandling..is I am assuming either a coworker or evening cleaning crew person was curious and tried to pick up my FBN and may have squeezed him too much or dropped him into his tank and he hurt himself... I hope that makes more sense.

 

[wargar]

Hi,

That does not look right . To me it looks like it is dislocated, I would let a vet take a look as if left it will most likely lead to further complications.

Dave

 

[Firebelly X]

I am trying to get some more input from anyone here with experience with FBN, before I take him to the vet... it will cost $68.00 dollars just to have the vet look at him and who knows what else they are going to charge if he needs surgery and/or medicines. I am looking for all possible options before I go to the vet. I would hate to spend all this money and then my little guy dies after everything.

 

[Azhael]

I think this looks like the early stages of a flesh-eating infection. The limb looks bloated and mildly discoloured, plus it is not using it at all, which is all consistent with "limb rot".
The animal looks in general poor health and seems to be stressed. Could you upload a picture of your tank? I suspect water conditions are not suitable which is causing the animal stress, thus making the animal leave the water and inhibiting its inmune system, rendering it defenseless against infection.
I would start salt treatments ASAP and also make sure conditions are optimal. Water quality, temperature, and other possible sources of stress need to be dealt with in order for the animal to have any chance of recovery.
You can find all the information you need on the CC caresheet for the species, as well as the other articles and throughout the forums. There is enough information about H.orientalis to be read in this site to make your eyes bleed.

 

[Firebelly X]

Thank you for the advice. well if it is the begining stages of limb rot , would it be recommended to amputate the limb?! I know that sounds cruel but he would grow it back ,right?! I know there is tons of information on here to read and I have been. But the majority of the questions are about limb rot and I have seen pictures and his leg does not look like that and I do not see any bone sticking out. He does not have any sores or cuts so I do not think it fungus. I do see that his leg is swollen. I will change his water again today. Unfortunately I have him in a 2.5 gallon tank because at the moment that's as big of room that I have to keep him in. I read about the salt bath , but I'm still not sure how that works. Do I just use sea salt and mix alittle in a gallon of water and place my FBN in it or just dip him in it?