NEED HELP PLEASE! Sick yellow-spotted Newt (Azerbaijan Newt)

[SimonsMom]

Hi all, my name is Ellery and I have a 5-year-old yellow-spotted pet newt (aka Azerbaijan newt) named Simon.

I've noticed the past couple of weeks that he's been getting a little wider, but two days ago I was struck by how swollen he looks (pics attached). Right now he is extremely swollen (his torso but also including his legs and neck), he’s being less active, and when I tried to feed him yesterday, he seemed to try to eat, but I don’t think actually consumed any of the bloodworms. He is currently in a temporary quarantine tank that is 1/3 old water, 2/3 new water (in case his old tank water was infected) and so I can control the temperature better (I now have a thermometer in there).

I have jumped into emergency action and am trying to connect with any and all amphibian specialists/experts in the East Bay Area who might be able to help us. I've taken him to an emergency vet in San Ramon and they prescribed Simon an antibiotic called enrofloxacin to be taken once a day for three weeks. I gave it to him on Tue (for the first day). But since then, I've heard and read from other people knowledgeable about newts that this could actually do more harm than good, especially if the problem is not bacterial. So I am not sure if I should continue with that treatment.

It has been getting warmer in Berkeley. Despite keeping my windows open and a fan on his tank at all times, I am very concerned this could be due to heat stress and subsequent kidney failure. I stupidly did not have a thermometer in his tank during this time (bad mom move and I hate myself now for it). But whenever I would sample it with my finger it always still felt cool.

If anyone has any guidance on what could be the cause of Simon’s decline and what the best next steps I can take are to give him a shot at recovery, I would appreciate it so so much! We are going to another board-certified vet this afternoon.

Our situation is especially urgent and complicated because I am supposed to leave town tomorrow for 2 weeks, so I am trying to get all the information I possibly can to make an informed decision on what I should do. My questions are:
1) What could be causing his illness?
2) Should I give him this antibiotic, or if not, what else could I do? If I need to give him this antibiotic (I know this is crazy), but I’m planning to drop him off in TX at my parents’ (who he has lived with before and know how to care for him ad have AC). But I am obviously concerned about the stress a long travel day and flight would put him through, in his already fragile condition.
3) If at the vet today they ask to take a blooddraw, should I let them? I’m concerned about stressing him out/traumatizing him, but also if the information we learn is potentially helpful it could be worth it. Are blooddraws a thing with newts?
4) Any guidance on trying to use amphibian ringer’s solution?

Thank you all again very much for your time and help! I am happy to share my phone number and email with anyone who might be willing to chat with us about this.

Best,
Ellery

 

[Wheresmynewt]

Your newt ha bloat

 

[Otterwoman]

Caudata Culture Articles: Bloat

There are many other articles on newts here also.

Caudata Culture Articles

 

[SimonsMom]

Your newt ha bloat

Thank you! I did figure as much. But what's less clear to me is what caused the bloat, as I understand it can be a symptom of many different things (bacterial infection, hormonal imbalance, heat stress-induced kidney failure, etc.) And knowing the cause is important for pursuing the most appropriate treatment. Do you have any insight into what could be contributing to the bloat in our case? In an attempt to treat it without fully understanding the underlying causes, he is receiving a daily antibiotic and soaking in amphibian ringer's solution every day for 30 minutes. Thank you for your help!

 

[SimonsMom]

Caudata Culture Articles: Bloat

There are many other articles on newts here also.

Caudata Culture Articles

Thank you for sharing this resource. I have read the article on bloat on this website. But it is still unclear to me what caused the bloat, as I understand it can be a symptom of many different things (bacterial infection, hormonal imbalance, heat stress-induced kidney failure, etc.) And knowing the cause is important for pursuing the most appropriate treatment. Do you have any insight into what could be contributing to the bloat in our case? In an attempt to treat it without fully understanding the underlying causes, he is receiving a daily antibiotic and soaking in amphibian ringer's solution every day for 30 minutes. Thank you for your help!

 

[Wheresmynewt]

I have never had a newt come back from bloat. That looks very far along

I wish you the best of luck and hope for the best!