Constipation?

Hi, I’ve had my axolotls for a couple of months now and recently one of them had recently developed a couple of problems. My albino:
-hasn’t been eating
-not as active as usual
-has become slightly red with red veins appearing on its skin
-an enlarged bump where its anus and is pooping white slime and then some greeny slime

This is maybe because of the fluctuating water temperature (from 27[FONT=&quot]°[/FONT] to 22[FONT=&quot]°[/FONT]) in the tank since my other axie (wild type) has pale patches on its skin, since I only use a fan and frozen bottles. But it had that for a while now, and I’m not that worried since it’s still pretty active.

So far I’ve made a water change in the tank, and separated the albino into a basin in the fridge with a solution of PRIMAFIX (treats mouth & body fungus, cottony growth, fin & and tail rot, redness of skin and body) and dechlorinated water. I might keep this up for a week or so. It just excreted brownish red slime from the bump since it has shrunk, so I guess the treatment must be working, but its skin is still the same.

At first I thought it was under some sex change because of the bump. I still can’t figure out what sex they are. I think they’re both female. Then again I could be wrong. But right now I can’t figure out what disease it might have or what the best course of action should be taken further.

Help greatly appreciated

Roxc,

Interesting theory about the sex change lol :lol: but axolotls are not hermaphrodites...

Judging by what you have said about the redness of the skin and clear fecal matter, I would presume that your axolotl has a parasitic infection. It's good that you placed your axolotl into the fridge, but using Primafix is a tad risky. If you could list the contents of Primafix that would be very helpful.

Below is a link that will be able to assist you in determining if your axolotl is suffering from a parasitic infection:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/articles.shtml

Jay.

Pimafix's active ingredient is Pimenta racemosa and is generally one of the medications recommended for axolotls if you have to use medicine - it is more an antifungal remedy though. However, all medicines are risky, generally because it is hard to give an accurate dose. I would only use medicine as a last resort, Roxc.

Your fluctuating temperature is a concern. 27C is way too warm for an axolotl and this could have leaded to the problems you are having as the stress would have lowered your axie's immune system. It could have a bacterial infection or something along those lines, someone better qualified here may be able to help you with treatment. What kind of parasitic infection were you thinking of Kal El? Couldn't find much on parasites that cause the symptoms mentioned by Roxc (although I have not had time to look into those kinds of problems a great deal). Perhaps this is the actual link you meant to post? http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/illness.shtml

In the meantime, can you house your axolotl in the fridge? This would remove the stress of the fluctuating temperature and generally provide a better environment for healing. Is your axolotl housed on gravel? And what are your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings?

If that’s the case, I’ve changed the fridge water without the PRIMAFIX. Couldn’t exactly find the contents of the solution so add onto what Saspotato already said.

Right now, both water in the tank and basin are at a neutral pH. I also used to give them a diet of pellets with brine shrimp and blood worms on occasion. Since my albino was the one who usually ate them, I stopped 2 weeks ago because she wasn’t eating them.

My tank is 65x40x42, housed with a borderline of pebbles, plastic plants, and a tube they like to hide in =). And is at a temperature of 23 [FONT=&quot]°[/FONT].



Should I keep feeding my albino pellets while it’s still in the fridge?

Your tank is getting on the small side for two adult axolotls - usually a 60L (which I believe yours is, same dimensions as mine) is the recommended size for one adult. How big are yours? Having too many axolotls in a tank can cause water quality issues. Also it would be helpful if you can do ammonia/nitrate and nitrite tests to see if anything is contributing to your axolotl's stress. You should be doing these about once a week if your tank is cycled. They tend to get sick if they have things that stress them out (much like humans I guess!).

Keep feeding your other axolotl though, even if your other axie isn't eating. Your fridged axolotl may or may not eat in the fridge. Usually mine doesn't eat unless the temperature is above 8C, at the minimum 5C, he won't eat at all. Generally they don't or they do but regurgitate the food later on, due to the cold. You can try though. Anyway with fridging, make sure the water for your axolotl is above 5C, do 100% daily water changes with dechlorinated water and also cover the container to block out the light. Sorry I can't be more help with diagnosing what is wrong with your axololt.

Can you do anything to reduce the temperature in your tank? Your other one might get sick at this rate. Under 20C is ideal and the temperature should never be above 24C as this can lead to death very quickly. It is important to keep the temperature stable also. You can use fans over the top, polystyrene around the sides to insulate the water from the heat and also float frozen bottles of water in the tank.

I suspect that your axolotl has accidentally consumed one of the stones in the tank and that has caused a blockage. It may be worth trying to place it somewhere cooler ( fridge perhaps) and darker and hope that it is able to pass the item.
In the mean time it would be best to remove the stones in case any more get accidentally consumed.

its been almost a week since I've left my axolotl in the fridge, and I can gladly say that she's reduced her redness within that time.

Last night, as i put her into the original tank, her entire body went vertically tail up. Quite amusing at first, so I thought it was something she'll get used to by morning. But recently her body looks larger and has become firmer than usual. Much like a balloon, because her feet can barely touch the floor.

I've read in articles that this sign may be too late for my axie. Right now I'm hoping for the best by putting her into the fridge again, and hopefully she'll lose all that gas.

So is there any treatment that can cure this bloating

here's some pictures:

Sorry to hear that you are still having trouble with your axolotl Anyway, here is an article on bloat if you haven't read it already. Not sure what else it could be. Anyway, are you able to take your axolotl to a vet? They might be able to give you some more help as if it is bloat that isn't a good sign I am afraid . But yea, keeping your axolotl in the fridge will help to reduce its stress.

about to burst

Where is your article on bloat Sarah, my axie also is bloated and I'm sure about to burst, she is kept at 18c and fed only 3 times a week on earth worms

Oops I don't know where the link went! Must have forgot to press 'Paste' sorry.

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/bloatEDK.shtml

Thankyou Sarah, It's all very sad but I think her days are numbered, she has been so beautiful and we will miss her dearly

great :happy:, this article was much more helpful in narrowing down what she might have. It'd be sad if she does have kidney disease. hope she won't give in before i get her to the vet:sad:

If possible try to find a vet that either specialises in unusual/exotic pets or one that has some knowledge of axolotls. I have found most general vets to have little or no knowledge of axolotls and it would be a shame to have it pumped full of medications and then die if all it needed was a spell in the fridge.