Illness/Sickness: My axolotl has swallowed rocks?

[Bish]

My axolotl has swallowed rocks from the bottom of her tank. The damn pet store said it would be fine, I have now done research and realised it is a huge NO NO. Too little too late.
Well anyway, I noticed she was getting fatter and fatter the past week. I caught her eating a rock today and removed the rocks immediately. I rang the vet and he just advised removing rocks and hoping she will pass them.
Is there anything more I can do? Will she pass them?
She is still eating regularly and seems okay. I am really worried and feeling so bad. I really don't want to lose her.

 

[Petersgirl]

How large are the rocks? If we're talking gravel or tiny pebbles, then they may pass on their own without interference if she is fed her regular meals. If they're bigger then we may be talking about fridging here. Fridging is used to ensure she doesn't damage herself by digesting something she should just poop straight out by slowing down her metabolism.

If they are large, I would suggest fridging and possibly a visit to the vet. Keep trying to feed her, although she might not eat because of the lower temperature. There is a good Sticky at the top of this forum about fridging safely.

I hope this helps and that your baby is feeling better soon!

 

[Bish]

Thank you. Since posting this she has passed 4 small pebbles already. So I am going to keep a close eye on her before fridging her. I am very happy with the rocks she has passed so far. Here is hoping some more come.
She is still eating regularly and very active. So I am hoping she is going to come through okay.

I am however, extremely disappointed in local pet stores. When they sell an animal they should not be giving such useless information to people. This could have been avoided. Next time I will complete online research before adopting anything.

 

[Petersgirl]

Most axolotls seem to pass small pebbles without complications, but obviously keep an eye out for any unusual behaviours, lethargy, loss of appetite, mouth hanging open, etc as these may be signs her gut is blocked. Hopefully the pebbles will pass on their own. Some have swallowed river rocks in the past - these are quite big and I wasn't quite sure whether you meant river rock size or pebble size.

Pet stores can really vary, and sometimes one clued up member of staff can turn around a previously bad setup. I've met a lot of people who were disappointed in the information their LFSs or pet stores gave them though.

I am in the same boat as you. I 'rescued' my first from a family member who thought he was a very interesting addition to his fish tank. I was curious and researched what he was. I felt so awful that I took him on myself, undoing all the damage done by bad diet, being kept on pebbles, etc. Toothless will never have the best gills, but I love him. He's much fatter and longer now he has a diet of worms. Three months after I got my second axxie.

Just remember if you ever need advice there are people on here who care and who've usually done it before

 

[Bish]

Thank you. It means a lot. I have only had my girl for about 4 months. She is my first axxie. So I really relied on the pet shop advice. Never again.
I have learnt much more online.

I understand how you get attached, I love mine too. She is so inquisitive. Always stands up and watches me cook in the kitchen. She makes me laugh.

The pebbles in my tank varied. Some were bigger than others. Majority were quite small though (maybe half a cm). She has passed more since my reply this morning. Every time I look there is a new little pebble she has passed so I get it out straight away. I am very happy she is passing them. I hope she passes all with no complications.

Do you have lots of toys/hiding spots/plants in with yours?

 

[auntiejude]

Do you have lots of toys/hiding spots/plants in with yours?

Axies love to climb on things, hide under things, sit on things, lean on things and swim around things. Plants - real or fake - ornaments, hides, driftwood or bogwood are all great fun for axies.

 

[Petersgirl]

Oh yes! I have four slate 'caves' that they can rest in which are in a sort of fan shape, 2 caves in each, with flat tops. There's 2 of them, one in each back corner. They're fairly large (around 7 inches inside or so) and they love them! I also have a cave on top of one of those caves that can be entered from either side and is flat on top too.
They have a big piece of bogwood which they can chill on or hide behind. Other favourite places include on top of the filter, right beneath their black fan, or underneath the filter

I love when I eat in front of them, because they look at me with round, starved eyes, even though I know I fed them about an hour ago! I also love when I come home from work and talk to them - my family thinks I'm mad but they do react to it. They come closer and start dancing ^.^

Some other toys I've seen include brand new shower puffs - which can double as a filter 'blocker' to prevent high current, and budgie rings - one user on here dangles them in the water, ensuring they're clean and plenty big enough, and the axxies swim through. Caves, plants and other ornaments are great though, as Auntiejude said.

 

[EmbryH]

First off, I'm so glad that your girl seems to be passing the stones without problem. You're lucky in that regard. It's unfortunate that we really can't trust what petshops say. They're the ones that should be educating people, not spreading misinformation.

When this is over, please don't hesitate to retell your story. I can't tell you how many times I've come across rookie keepers or even experienced keepers who know better and have no excuse other than ego to keep their axies on pebbles or rocks. As I always kept mine on glass or sand, I don't have a personal story to help me there.

Please please retell your story to educate the new and the stubborn.