T gran. leg problem?

[ali]

Joan, you'll be interested in this! I got my second t gran today! I got my first at a local pet store when they had him named "Orange Newt". Today I popped in to see what species mixing disaster I should yell at them for this time, when alas, I found another t gran (in with paddletails and chinese fire bellies AHHH!)

Well, I have one more tank with me that I knew I could use for quarantine, so I rescued the little gal. She's acting a bit odd. Not really sure how to describe it. One of her back legs doesn't seem to be working properly. When she moves it, she curls up in a ball sort of, like maybe she's in pain? Like it's cramping on her or something. She's also pretty small at about 11cm so I was wondering if she is a recent morph and may not know how to use her hind legs properly yet? I don't know much about their size but I was thinking this since the other t gran I have in the other tank is 17-19cm.

Let me know what you guys think!

P.S. Joan, I previously thought that my t gran was a female, but in the last few days "her" cloaca has swollen so I think it may be a male wanting to breed. My new one is definitely of the opposite sex so maybe when she grows and comes out of quarantine I will have my own breeding pair! I am going to borrow a friend's digital camera this weekend. Hopefully I can figure out how to post pictures and I will show pictures of both!

 

[ali]

Update: The leg seems to work fine when it paddles to the top of the water to swim. It's mostly when it's walking around on the bottom that it does this. Btw, since this one is obviously younger, should I feed it more than I feed my others (every 2-3 days)?

 

[ali]

Update 2: Movement of both hind legs witnessed while walking on bottom. Shows no interest in being on land. Back leg movement still seems clumsy and toddler-like.

 

[pin-pin]

Hello Ali, a photo would be most useful. It is difficult to pinpoint a definite problem from your description.

T. granulosa, like most newts do have regenerative abilities, but not usually within 24 hours.

Taking extra care of a newly acquired animal is always good.

 

[ali]

Pin-pin. I will do my best to get the photos soon (although my friend with the camera is out of town for the weekend.) She seems to be doing well though...I don't think she quite understands that her island floats. She gives up when it floats away, hehe. But when she does get on it, she gets right back off so I'm not too worried.

 

[ali]

Update: Still don't have a camera to take the pictures, but I think I have pinned down the problem.

He has a small pink spot on his back knee (rot, I assume: a very common problem of newts from this pet store. Lost two juvenile CO's that I got from there). He doesn't really seem to be using that leg today. I have treated with melafix (he is swimming pretty well, despite the lack of movement from this leg) and will await advice from you guys!

 

[joan]

Mine don't use their legs much, just kind of bounce around on the bottom. The males will get very smooth/slimy skin during breeding, so a swollen cloaca is probably not a definitive characteristic, although I'm not great at sexing these guys.

About treatment, I couldn't say. My boyfriend currently has my copy of Amphib Medicine, so I can't consult. Hopefully one of the experts will chime in.

 

[ali]

The spot seems to be getting bigger. Any ideas? Is dirt quarantine an option for this species? How long should I wait before trying this?

 

[joan]

T.grans do fine on land. My oldest female goes terrestrial during the winter. Have you tried salt baths?

 

[ali]

I haven't tried the salt bath since I lost a juvenile CO DURING one.

I suppose I will suck it up and try it.

 

[pin-pin]

Hi Ali,

If you go ahead with the terrestrial quarantine, I personally favor using wet paper towels instead of dirt. This keeps the bacteria levels down and does not stick to the injured animal. It's also easier to change.

If you're willing to spend the money, find an amphibian-friendly vet and get a culture of the wound.

There is an article on how to treat sores in amphibians on Caudata Culture. You can find it here: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/sores.shtml

 

[ali]

Thanks Pin-pin. I've read many of your posts and value your opinions. The "dirt" quarantine was only a hassle and seemed to confused and stress out my injured CO a while back.

If I do the wet paper towels, is that all I need in the container? Just paper towels on a small amount of water? Do you recommend laying any strands of plants or anything of the sort?

I have also seen the treatment of sores page and have used the peroxide bit before. Thank you!

 

[jeff]

Yes, all you need is paper towels. you can rip up plastic sheets for cover if you want too.
As for treating the wound, peroxide is not my favorite. Salt baths work well, and the salt needs to be non-iodized. check the axoltle site for the salt bath information.

 

[ali]

Jeff, there is good information also on the articles section of this website.

 

[pin-pin]

I think at this point, unless you are going to take it to a veterinarian, a photo would be the most helpful way to give us an idea of what is going on.

Peroxide is a very caustic cleanser, and will obviously stress your animal. I wouldn't recommend using it daily for longer than a week.

 

[ali]

Pin-Pin, I am pretty cautious with the whole peroxide business as well. Last time I used it, I only did so for three days out of fear!
Update on this: My taricha seems to be healing well. I have only been using the Melafix, and the wound seems to be closing up quite rapidly. I was very concerned because I just had to make a SIX HOUR TRIP with him for my Thanksgiving break. I realize that this is risky, but I decided I should bring him home so that I could medicate him. Luckily, I only have about a week and a half between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks (I'll be home for a month them), and my mom has agreed to follow a VERY specific care sheet during that week and a half while I'm gone, so they won't have to travel again until the beginning of Jan.

I feel like his leg is healing nicely, but will post if I have any future problems. Also, he stopped moving it at all for quite a bit which worried me, but since I noticed it closing up, he seems to move it much more. Very good.

 

[jeff]

Did you try the salt baths in addition tot he other treatments? I too almost lost a newt this way so you need to be carefull about the saturation level of the salt, and don't leave the room, signs the newt needs to get out asap would be lose skin(looks the same as a shedding) and the newt not moving. My therory is that they can become overly dehydrated very fast if too much salt is present.

 

[ali]

Hi Jeff. I don't want to curse the treatment I have right now! It's working very well and I don't want to do anything to stress the newt, so I don't think I'm going to do anything else unless it begins to deteriorate. Salt bath would be my next move though.