Dying Axolotl please help

[Donna]

This is Roger about 1 yr old. I had him in a tank with another axolotl but took him out cause he's not eating and has been floating. Previously the tank had gravel in it but i took it out about 1 week ago as i read they can swallow gravel. I dont know what is wrong with him but he looks very bloated and is swallon around the bottom. He also has black mould around his mouth and has lost most of his gills. Can you please help me.

 

[Jennewt]

It seems likely he ingested gravel. Keep him in isolation. You might want to try salt baths, which may be helpful for both bloating and fungus (if the blackness around the mouth is fungus). I would guess (just a guess) that the large bottom and bloating (which isn't that bad, I would say) are gravel impaction.

I don't want this to sound insensitive, but... if the axolotls dies, do you know anyone who'd be willing to do an autopsy? We've seen a number of axolotls with these symptoms, and we always take the guess that it's gravel, but I don't know of any case where we ever had confirmation that gravel was the culprit. Anyway, I certainly hope he recovers!

 

[Donna]

Roger died

hi Jennew,
My roger died a half hour ago. I dont know anyone that will do an autopsy. I think that more research should be done for sick axolotls as i tried everything i could to help roger but didn't work.

 

[i_love_necturus]

Im very sorry to hear that . Jen is right an autopsy could be not only good for people who have had this problem before, but if you did go through with it you would be more prepared for another axolotl that you may get later on. So if you can I would do the autopsy. You could possibly bring it to a vet that works with amphibians and or reptiles, they could be a great help.

 

[Jennewt]

Sorry to hear it, Donna. I will delete this thread in a couple of days, as I now see it is misplaced, and a duplicate of your other thread. Hope you don't mind.

 

[mac]

Roger

Donna, I'm sorry to hear about Roger.

Jen, are there any laxative treatments for critters that swallow gravel ?

~Mac

 

[Jennewt]

In reply to Mac: None that I know of. It might help to switch the animal to eating soft foods (no insect ectoskeletons). In many cases, the gravel does pass through OK.

 

[Donna]

Hi Jen,
yes its ok to delete this thread. i accidently set it up in the wrong thread. thank you
Donna

 

[axie_king]

where abouts in australia are you donna??