Illness/Sickness: Lump on it's head and not eating :(

Hi there, just posted in the Introductions Thread so obviously I'm new to here, please forgive me if there's a similar post around these parts.

My axolotl is almost a year old. I've kept the tank at more or less the same temperature since the beginning and it has been fine

Over the last 2-3 days a lump has came up in the middle of my axolotl's head. Not too big, looks a bit white. Also really since then it's not been eating much. I feed her frozen bloodworm every 2 or three days which usually goes down a treat, but i put some in the other night and it wasn't touched, and again today I put some in and only very little was eaten. As a result she's looking very skinny and weak, I can see her ribs

I've read in places different reasons for lumps coming up. I assume that since it's only popped up overnight it wouldn't be a tumour? I've read it could be build up of fluid, or she could have bumped her head etc.

It is a small tank i've got but I am in the process of getting something bigger. She's just grown so quickly over the past few months she's hardly given me a chance! So im trying to eliminate the chance of her bumping her head again when she's zooming around

Any advice from you guys would be a big help. I'm still pretty amature at this but they are amazing animals and I have really grown to love the wee thing, wouldn't want anything to happen to her. Thanks

could you upload a picture? I am sure someone one here can give you some advice but a pic will really help

Yeahh I will do, I'll need to find my camera but i'll post one up tomorrow morning And i'll need to figure out how to do it

Hiya, I managed to take a picture of my axolotl but I can't find the lead for my camera anywhere to upload it! Sorry

With the information given has anyone got any ideas? Even if its just to get her to eat again? Has anyone else had any experience with lumps on their axolotl?

im only a newb myself, sorry i cant help much have you got a vet you could take her too? If you cant get her to one you could always just give one a call for advice. Have you checked her water? Axies love earth worms if you can find any in your garden or if you have a fishing bait shop they might have some.

I've no idea if any of the vets around here would specialise in axolotls but i'll find out I cleaned the tank out about 3 days ago, gonna give it another wee clean tomorrow. Temperature is fine, turned the heater off so it gets a bit colder see if that helps. The water seems fine too.

I think your right i'll try mabe handfeeding some earthworm to her because she is lifting her head up when she sees me but not moving her body much.

I hopefully will be getting her a bigger tank tomorrow so should be set up in a few days. Its a catch 22 though, She could have added stress because the tank i have is too small, yet i dont want to stress her more by moving her

Losing sleep over this lol, amazing how you grow to love the wee things just as much as any other pet

Well I doubt there are many vets who specifically specialise in Axolotls but I'm sure there must be a good number who are trained in dealing with Amphibians and other exotic pets *hunts around on google*

I found this website recommended a lot Find a vets near you. UK Veterinary Surgery Web Sites. Every UK Vets' Practice Listed and put in Glasgow and there's a few vets although I think you will probably have to ring round to find one willing to take a look at an Axolotl although I'm sure they will be able to advise you on someone else who will be able to help if they themselves are unable to

Good luck:happy:

*EDIT*

Here's some more Vet's to try:

Glasgow

Veterinary Surgeon whose practice deals with exotic pets of all types and accepts referrals from other vets.Also tortoise and gecko owner.
Alistair M Lawrie BVMS MRCVS
Glasgow University
(Referral Clinic)
Veterinary School
Bearsden Road
Bearsden
Glasgow
0141 330 5700

Click to expand...

found on http://www.livefoods.co.uk/vets.php#Glasgow

also a couple of veterinarians at Dick Vet in Edinburgh are registered with the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (arav)

http://www.arav.org/ECOMARAV/TIMSSNET/amm/TNT_MDRecord.cfm?custid=877275
http://www.arav.org/ECOMARAV/TIMSSNET/amm/TNT_MDRecord.cfm?custid=643020

My sister in law is a vet and she doesn't know the first thing about them nor does anyone in her practice so I just assumed it would be impossible to find anyone around these parts that knows anything about them But yeah I didnt even think about the vet school in Glasgow lol i think i'll give them a wee phone tomorrow morning see if anyone can help me. Thanks so much for looking into that for me

She does seem a little brighter today, the lump is still there but shes moving a bit more. Also I dug up a nice big worm from the garden and she seemed to enjoy it so at least she's eaten something. I'll try and see if she'll eat some bloodworm tonight. If she doesnt I conclude she just wants my undivided attention

thats good news that she has eaten My axie loves mussels too but then hes not fussy he will eat anything i dangle infront of his face lol. Let us know how you get on with the vets, hope she gets better soon

Just thought i'd post a wee update. My axie seems much better now, the lump on her head seems to have went down quite a bit. I've hand fed her a few different things just to see that shes still eating okay and they went down well. I've moved her into a bigger tank that I got and she's moving about more now, I think she's enjoying her new home!


Such a great website for advice, especially new things to feed her to give her a bit of variety!

Thank you for your help I'm sure this won't be the end of my panicking as I'm still learning haha so expect more "HELP!" posts in the future