Illness/Sickness: Tiger Salamander won't eat anymore

Rangers

Rangers

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Rangers

I am brand new to ALL of this. I was given a tiger salamander in July. He has done great in his aquarium. I was feeding him 2-3 meal worms every other day. Three weeks ago I decided to see if he would like red wigglers. He didn't want anything to do with them, but went ahead and ate a couple of meal worms. That was the last time he ate. Two days after he ate, he refused his food and vomited a little clear goo type substance. I took him to the vet, but he said he was fine. He's not fine. He won't eat. He's not vomiting anymore, but sort of gags every so often. It's hard to explain. It's like he is going to vomit, but doesn't. From what I have read, I think it might be impaction, but I really have no clue what to try or do next. Can you put tiger salamanders in the fridge? I watched the tutorial, but I'm not sure salamanders require that much water in the dish. I appreciate any help. I very attached to the little guy. :(
 
Tiger Salamander won't eat any more..and now black spots on tummy.

I am brand new to ALL of this. I was given a tiger salamander in July. He has done great in his aquarium. I was feeding him 2-3 meal worms every other day. Three weeks ago I decided to see if he would like red wigglers. He didn't want anything to do with them, but went ahead and ate a couple of meal worms. That was the last time he ate. Two days after he ate, he refused his food and vomited a little clear goo type substance. I took him to the vet, but he said he was fine. He's not fine. He won't eat. He's not vomiting anymore, but sort of gags every so often. It's hard to explain. It's like he is going to vomit, but doesn't. From what I have read, I think it might be impaction, but I really have no clue what to try or do next. Can you put tiger salamanders in the fridge? I watched the tutorial, but I'm not sure salamanders require that much water in the dish. I appreciate any help. I very attached to the little guy.
 
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Re: Rangers

Could you post pictures of the setup and a current shot of the tiger?

Thank you.
 
This is the Salamander.
 

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The bottom layer is coco husk and the top is sphagnum moss. It is the same setup he has been in for about 3 years, except I bought a larger aquarium.
 

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The mealworms have a tougher skin and worms are a better staple food you can try. Mine DEFINITELY don't prefer red wigglers because they have kind of a foul secretion, but they will eat them if they're hungry. You should try regular nightcrawlers cut in half and see if the tiger can get used to them.

I'm not sure if that is sphagnum moss but it can tend to me acidic, just a tip.

He looks quite plump, and will by no means starve by not eating for a while if that picture is recent, so I wouldn't worry about that. It's somewhat normal for tigers to bury themselves for weeks on end, especially when it gets colder. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for your reply. It is sphagnum moss on top. That's what he has been in for a long time, but I can change it. What is the best thing to use?

What about fridging him? Can u do that with salamanders?

I will try the night crawlers, which are just bigger earth worms, correct?

The picture was taken about a week ago, but I really don't think he has lost a bunch of weight. He still looks about the same except for the gagging thing he does. I am very worried. He used to come out and up to the glass all the time. He'd even try to eat the water spray bottle.

How long can he go without eating? I asked the lady who gave him to me and she said he always ate (summer or winter) for her.

I appreciate your help.
 
Some people grab live moss out of the woods in areas without pesticide. You could also use leaf litter from a similar area.

Yup, nightcrawlers are big worms. Cut them in half so they go down easier.

He looks really bulgy, not so much obese but oddly bulgy above the tail. I don't know if I'd go as far as fridging a tiger other than maybe putting him in the basement if thats a cooler area. What are your temps like in TX? Generally when it cools down they don't eat as much, it is temperature dependent.

They can go weeks without eating or coming out of their burrows if they want to.
 
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Raised black spots on tiger's belly

He hasn't eaten for almost 4 weeks. Now he has these spots on his belly. Please help me.:(
 

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Re: Raised black spots on tiger's belly

Could be acid burns from the acidic sphagnum moss :\

I would recommend a new substrate of the topsoil 2:1 with coco, cool temps and patience. You may also try a hospital tank setup with unbleached paper towels kept damp, not wet.
 
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Re: Raised black spots on tiger's belly

He has black spots all over. All over. I am going to cry.
 
Re: Raised black spots on tiger's belly

Ok. Ill get something else tomorrow, but I don't understand why it would bother him after 3 years. It is what he has been in all along.
 
It might be a good idea to put the salamander into a hospital enclosure for now - a well ventilated tub lined with paper towels moistened with dechlorinated water (changed every 1 - 2 days), with a place to hide and a water bowl. Keep it somewhere cool and quiet.

Caudata Culture has this article to help you with questions about general care.
 
@ Julia and Eva- Many thanks to both of you. I spend hours reading post and threads on the forum last night. I've already read both the article and the care sheet. I have an appointment with the vet on Wednesday. Don't know if they will know anything about amphibians, but I have to try. I'm also going to clean out his tank again tonight and and top soil instead of moss.
 
Our sweet little guy died today. I'll really miss him, and his perpetual little smile. Will bury him tonight. :(. Thanks for trying to help me.
 
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