Illness/Sickness: REALLY skinny, mouth open won't eat...

matthewC

matthewC

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Hi,

I have two axolotls, when I got them they were both fairly skinny and for the few months I've had them were eating fine. In fact, Alex, was eating more than Winston.

Around a week ago I noticed Alex was getting much skinnier and started to eat less. He gave many more signs of being stressed than Winston. He's become much more lethargic and won't eat. They were on a diet of bloodworms but in the last two days I've fed them earthworms ( which relieved me as Alex did eat one ).

I noticed this morning Alex had his mouth open, in fact I thought he passed as he wouldn't move. I'm going to fridge him as we speak - is this the right thing to do? My water levels weren't 100% but I've done a water change and I'm hoping for improvement.

I'd appreciate any advice and I'll post my water levels and pictures below. I'm trying hard and I really am worrying.

EDIT: The Ammonia is around 0.25, nititres ~0.1 and nitrates around 40...I haven't friged him yet as I fear it be worse?
Thank you,

Matthew
 

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He is in very bad shape. He may not make it. Look at the very end of the tail - see the "hook"? Very bad sign.

First, get him out of the tank into a container or small tank of fresh, dechlorinated, water. Keep him in the container until he is recovering and the water conditions in his main tank are fixed. Change 100% the water in the container at least once a day, more often if it is smaller.

He is very emaciated. Bloodworms are not nutritionally complete for axolotls, but I don't know if malnutrition of that sort would cause this sort of emaciation. Earthworms are great. Feed him small pieces - as much as you can get him to eat - frequently. Do not leave extra food in the container.

You need to fix the problem in the tank. It sounds like something has affected the cycle - you should not have any ammonia and nitrites. Usually, conditions like that don't persist long term, so I don't think that is the cause of the emaciation.

Read up on "the cycle" and figure out what may have caused the cycle to crash in your tank. You may need to take your other axie out and put it in its own container while you get things figures out.
 
LSuzuki said:
He is in very bad shape. He may not make it. Look at the very end of the tail - see the "hook"? Very bad sign.

First, get him out of the tank into a container or small tank of fresh, dechlorinated, water. Keep him in the container until he is recovering and the water conditions in his main tank are fixed. Change 100% the water in the container at least once a day, more often if it is smaller.

He is very emaciated. Bloodworms are not nutritionally complete for axolotls, but I don't know if malnutrition of that sort would cause this sort of emaciation. Earthworms are great. Feed him small pieces - as much as you can get him to eat - frequently. Do not leave extra food in the container.

You need to fix the problem in the tank. It sounds like something has affected the cycle - you should not have any ammonia and nitrites. Usually, conditions like that don't persist long term, so I don't think that is the cause of the emaciation.

Read up on "the cycle" and figure out what may have caused the cycle to crash in your tank. You may need to take your other axie out and put it in its own container while you get things figures out.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your advice. I'm going to do this now. Should I fridge the container of water?
 
I've placed him in the fridge. How do I know when to stop and try and feed him...?
 
I am pretty sure he should not be in the fridge right not (but more experienced keepers may know otherwise.) So, take him out.

Reasoning: he is extremely emaciated. He needs to eat. Cold temperatures slow his metabolism and eliminate his appetite. Just keep him at room temperature (assuming your room is cool enough) and feed him as much as you can get him to eat. Keep his water very fresh

How is the other axie? Can we see his picture?
 
LSuzuki said:
I am pretty sure he should not be in the fridge right not (but more experienced keepers may know otherwise.) So, take him out.

Reasoning: he is extremely emaciated. He needs to eat. Cold temperatures slow his metabolism and eliminate his appetite. Just keep him at room temperature (assuming your room is cool enough) and feed him as much as you can get him to eat. Keep his water very fresh

How is the other axie? Can we see his picture?
Click to expand...

I'll take another picture now. He ate half an earthworm yesterday, and a little more today.
 
LSuzuki said:
I am pretty sure he should not be in the fridge right not (but more experienced keepers may know otherwise.) So, take him out.

Reasoning: he is extremely emaciated. He needs to eat. Cold temperatures slow his metabolism and eliminate his appetite. Just keep him at room temperature (assuming your room is cool enough) and feed him as much as you can get him to eat. Keep his water very fresh

How is the other axie? Can we see his picture?
Click to expand...

I just noticed as I was moving him he was almost dragging something - like a growth almost. I''ve attached the best picture I can. Not sure if it's a prolape or trying to pass gravel or something ( N.B I'm buying sand tomorrow ).
As for the other axolotl, I'm going to try feeding him again now ( feeding both ).
 

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At this point I feel the only good advice would be to get your axolotl to the vet and promptly! He is in very poor condition and I am not sure if anything you do will be able to help at this stage.
 
Thank you all. I'm going to try and phone around some vets tomorrow - I just hope he's fine overnight. I only hope I can ensure the best for the future as I feel I've left it too late now.
 
What test kit do you use to check your water parameters?

When your water reaches 40ppm Nitrates do a 30% water change with dechlorinated water. Would be worth testing your tap water for all readings to know what the tap water contains before you add it to your tank. As an example, my tap water contains Nitrates, so I have to be careful to keep on top of my water changes and add plants to control the Nitrate level.

It would be best to keep your Axolotl in a separate quality tub/container, change the water 100% everyday with dechlorinated water. Spend as much time as you can each day consistently trying to feed the earth worms until he eats as much as possible.

He just looks emaciated, so your highest priority is to keep him in top quality water (100% water changes everyday) and to feed him as much of the earth worms as you can everyday without fail.

He needs good water quality to help healing, and food to give nutrition.

Speaking with a vet to get a professional opinion would be good.
 
Sadly Alex didn't make it.

However, Winston is now with the exotic specialist at the Royal Veterinary College, so hoping for the best. I think I know the problems, the test kits I was using weren't accurate enough and a crash in the system went unnoticed.

Again,

Thank you to all.
 
Very sorry to hear that ....poor little guy. Hoping Winston will be ok. As far as water testing goes.... I know a lot of people including myself who swear by the API master test kit...it is a little pricey but it will last you a very long time. Wishing you the best!
 
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