Sad news

[brooksy]

Back a month ago I adopted 2 tigers from a reptile rescue in my area. The info they had was that they had been in captivity together with the same owner for 3 years.
Since then, they have been wonderful. Very cute smilie faces that loved to watch me when I went into the room and would beg for food like a dog. However tonight I found the one had passed away. This breaks my heart but have to focus on making sure the remaining sal lives on for a long time.
I switched out the substrate and washed all the enclosure down very well.
Is there anything else to suggest to do when a deal passes away, as far as the healthy salamanders well being is concerned?

[Jan]

Any other items in the enclosure e.g., hides, water dish, etc., should also be disinfected (Caudata Culture Articles - Quarantine and Disinfection) or replaced.

Keep an eye on the healthy salamander and ensure proper husbandry.

Sorry for your loss.

[brooksy]

Thanks for the link. I disinfected the enclosure and large water bowl. I put new hides in and new soil.
Both last night and this morning, the remaining tiger salamander was not interested in food items. Would it be normal for the sal to be grieving the loss of it's cage mate? or to be stressed about having to be moved into a temporary container while I disinfected and then to be returned to a different looking cage after?
Also what does everyone else do with their deceased salamanders? I am renting a basement suite so I cannot bury it at my place at least.

[Jan]

Stressed from moving and handling is a potential - grieving, no..they are solitary animals by nature.

One method in handling deceased salamanders is to double-bag the animal, place in the freezer for a couple of weeks to kill potential pathogens and then dispose of.