Taricha problem

One of my 6 T. grans has been looking lumpy for lack of a better word, almost like it is cinched in the middle. The balance while swimming is terrible, often floating on the top, slightly tipped to the side. This newt has been spending nearly all of its time in the same place in the tank, movement appears difficult or painful as the animal is quite reluctant to try and swim when grabbed, or right itself when turned upside down.

I took photos tongiht, and it appears in the photos there is a large lump on the right lower belly, this is not so exaggerated in normal activity as it is in the photos. I suspected a blockage from perhaps ingesting a rock, although none of the rocks should be able to fit in their mouth. The newt is quite obviously losing weight, most evident in the bony pelvis.

Ideas? This newt has been showing symptoms about 10 days, but was rather puffy looking before that time as well, however, it did not appear any more exaggerated than usual. Input please - there is obviously something quite wrong with this newt...

Photos here:

http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN2094.JPG
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN2096.JPG
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN2097.JPG
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN2098.JPG
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN2099.JPG
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN2100.JPG
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN2101.JPG

Wow, this is a tough one. It's obviously internal. I suspect it's compaction, but it's hard to say for sure. I think an x-ray would be one of two ways to identify what's happening. The other is post-mordum autopsy... .

Wow, that looks terribly painful. I'd avoid handling it if you can. I'm not familiar with the internal anatomy of newts but I wonder if it could be some sort of gas bubble in there?

Hey Leah,

The last two photos DSCN2101.JPG and DSCN2100.JPG seem to indicate that there is some fluid build-up in your Taricha. Normally, you can take this to a vet to get it drained, in which they can take a culture to see what sort of antibiotics might be necessary.

If it is a rock (that's large enough to block the intestines), you can probably feel the rock. The only option in rock ingestion is surgery.

Meanwhile, of course isolate the poor critter and probably put it into a land quarantine.

(Message edited by apples on April 18, 2005)