Urgent! FBNs--Tail injury & possible illness

Had a major catastrophe last night w/ the newt tank. I had just cleaned it and was putting the lid back on when it crashed into the tank and hurt one of them. To my horror, the lid crushed the end of a tiny newt's tail! I can't tell if the bone is severed or not...it's not a clean-cut. I know they can regenerate their tails/limbs but what do I need to do in the meantime? I've read that plain Neosporin can be helpful and have read mixed reviews on Melafix. I have quarantined him with a small puddle of water and wet paper toweling until I get some additional info. Is there anything else I can do? How long will it take for his tail to heal up so he can go back to his usual home?

Also, one the newts that hides 99% of the time came out of hiding yesterday. It's freakishly the wrong colors. I'm assuming its sick but what would cause weird colors? I guess the best way to describe the color is just very pale...sort of light brownish/pinkish. Shockingly ugly. I put that one in quarantine too (not with my pitifully injured one). I handfed it while in quarantine and it's eating fine. I can't see anything else wrong with it other than the obvious color problem. It's a wiggly, ornery one though so I haven't been able to really look close.

So all in all, a terrible day in my newt tank! I am off to get a new lid that cannot fall in again. I have a regular aquarium hood (escape proof) on it and will be getting a screen, which I should have invested in from the get go. Other than that, I would so appreciate any advice you guys have as far as treatment goes. Thank you in advance---V.

They are very good at regenerating, specially the small ones, so i wouldn´t worry much, just keep the tank clean to avoid excesive bacteria, and it will be fine. About the other one, cynops orientalis can have colour changes like that. My male becomes very pale at night. For example today, when the lights went on he was looking very very pale (and horny too hehe he´s been chasing the female for hours). Try to take pics, it´s the only way to tell apart from a normal colour change to something that may be a problem.

azhael said:

They are very good at regenerating, specially the small ones, so i wouldn´t worry much, just keep the tank clean to avoid excesive bacteria, and it will be fine. About the other one, cynops orientalis can have colour changes like that. My male becomes very pale at night. For example today, when the lights went on he was looking very very pale (and horny too hehe he´s been chasing the female for hours). Try to take pics, it´s the only way to tell apart from a normal colour change to something that may be a problem.

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Thank you, Rodrigo! I didn't know they had color changes. It was late at night and I hadn't had their light on all day. I'll try to get that bugger out today and take a picture. Maybe he'll be back to normal ;o)

Look, i found this picture, this is the kind of paleness i was talking about, check it, maybe it´s what´s happening to your newt.

http://newt150.tripod.com/pics/chinesepile.jpg

Anyway, best of lucks with your animals, C.orientalis are surely a funny species

azhael said:

Look, i found this picture, this is the kind of paleness i was talking about, check it, maybe it´s what´s happening to your newt.

http://newt150.tripod.com/pics/chinesepile.jpg

Anyway, best of lucks with your animals, C.orientalis are surely a funny species

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Yep, that's what he looked like. He's back to normal now. The other one is looking pretty good already today. I'm keeping him isolated until his tail looks like it's on the mend. Thank you again for the info and support ;o)

An update on "little buddy". He's doing great and re-growing his injured tail. I kept him isolated for a week or so until I was sure he was going to be alright. The others haven't seemed to notice that he's tail-challenged and all is well.