Swollen tongue?

[firefury]

We've had a Japanese firebelly for about one month now, and he/she seems to have bloated up in the past week, but also appears to have it's tongue swollen so large that it's about half the size of it's head, and is keeping it's mouth stretched permanently open. I'm 99% sure it's his tongue that I'm seeing, and it's obviously keeping him from eating.

Anyone seen this, and is there a fix? The pet store owner says he doesn't know but offered to look at it. You all, collectively, seem to know quite a bit more about these things.


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[edward]

Are you sure this is a Japanese Firebelly as these are not commonly available in the local pet stores? I would guess that it is more likely to be a Chinese firebelly newt.
These newts are imported and can have problems such liver or kidney failure, and various infections.
I would recommend getting the newt checked out for a bacterial infection as this is also a common cause of bloating. I would recommend seeing a vet. You can also check out the article on bloat on the caudata culture link.
Good luck,
Ed