Illness/Sickness: Help! Serious prolapse!

Hi everyone!
Approximately 9 days ago, my axie Albie stopped eating. I've tried varying his foods, (he's hand fed) so I left food at the bottom of his tank to see if he disliked me hand feeding him (but I've been doing it for ages). Then I thought that perhaps his lack of appetite was due to the rather warm weather we've been having, however I have been controlling his tank temperature to the correct measures. I tested the water for pH etc. but all was fine, so then I changed water and gave his tank a really good clean but that didn't help either. I'd also taken the gravel out too.

6 days after his obvious lack of appetite (3 days ago), he got a prolapse. After about 7 hours it went back in for reasons I cannot fathom, then the morning after it happened again except much worse and has been getting worse since.... I have rung several veterinarians but none know how to treat it :S I have been giving salt baths since the first prolapse, 2L water : 2-3 tsp salt, of course I don't expect an immediate reaction but I am utterly desperate!!!

Also if anyone has any tips on how to make him a bit more comfortable, I would greatly appreciate it as I have a sick feeling that he may not make it through the rest of the week... :-(

Neeks

Stop the salt baths, this is generally only needed for treating fungus.
Veterinary help is required for this. In the mean time I would suggest placing your axolotl in to a clean container with fresh dechlorinated water and fridge him. The instructions are below.

Axolotl Sanctuary


I have a horrible feeling that ingesting the gravel may have contributed to this. Are you able to post a picture of him to see ?

thanks Julia, for the reply, but I can't get him to a veterinarian. At all. I've rung lots of vets but none have a clue which both surprises and stresses me a lot! I will stop the salt baths and he's already in cool, clean water.

Neeks and Albie

He's hand fed, and he's never, with the whole time I've had him he's never ingested any gravel. I have to post the pics separately could take a while...

neeks and albie

here's the rest of the pics

For some reason, those image links aren't working for me.

If he was kept on gravel, I can almost guarantee you that he did ingest it. No one knows why, but axolotls always seem to eat it, even when they are being amply handfed. I suspect that sifting through the substrate occasionally is just a natural behavior for them.

Unfortunately, without some sort of veterinary/surgical assistance, all you can do is refrigerate the axolotl and hope for the best.

I assume you have probably already seen this:
Herp Vets in Australia
There does appear to be only one in your region, so there may indeed be very few veterinary options for you.

About three-quarters of the way down this page Caudata Culture Articles - Illness Part 2
there're some links about prolapses in caudates.
I really hope your little friend gets better soon

Sadly I did try specialist fish vets and also general vets too.... however, none knew how to treat an axolotl (both frustrating and saddening)
I've even been to petstores! When I wen't, they said that it had been happening to them to, and that they usually die in about a week :S Not what I wanted to hear!!!
Albie is no better, but now it appears to be changing colour, it used to be blood red but is turning white? Rather confused about this, does anyone have any idea why?!

Are the images working for everyone though? Sorry you can't see them Jennewt! And thanks for the extra links Ken!

Neeks and Albie

Sorry, I can't see the photos.....
When I post a photo I upload it to my Photobucket account (free btw) and save it which stores it remotely. When you select the relevant photo in your account's gallery, a drop-down box should appear with the option of right-clicking the IMG Code, do this and it should save the image into your memory, then, in a post on this site, right click to paste and therefore should display it. You can preview your post (with photo) before submitting it, just give it a few seconds to refresh the screen, if need be.....
Hope this helps
Fingers crossed for Albie btw

I thought I better let you all know, that Albie died not so long ago... I was cooking, then when I looked across to his tank, I noticed that he tried to swim to the top of his tank, then suddenly, when he was halfway from the top, just stopped and dropped to the bottom.
I went to check on him but I already knew that he had died.

I'm glad that the prolapse didn't last too long though, now he doesn't have to go through it any longer I suppose.

So now he is sleeping peacefully under my mulberry tree
I'm sure he's in a much better place, with more worms than ever! Which I know would make him very happy! He was such a character, I've always held a soft spot for him (don't tell the other fish)!

And because you didn't get to see the picture of him, I'll just describe him. He was of a Golden/ Brown colour, with dark brown and greyish flecks everywhere. Always smiling (one of the best traits of any axie), with a crazy set of bright red gills sticking out from either side his head. He was a big boy about 25cm long and loved to swim and definitely eat!

I also want to thank everyone for their support and I know Albie appreciated it too.

Just Neeks now.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, we are always glad to help.

I am sorry to read about Albie. What a lovely resting place he has.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this, and have to admit to shedding a tear or two at your post. I was really rooting for the little guy, extra-specially cause I've got an Albi

Little Albie will live on in the Mulberry Tree, which I think is lovely.

You have my deepest sympathies, and may he rest in peace

RIP Albie so sorry to hear your sad news