Question: Egg bound axolotl - help needed

bikertj1981 · Apr 4, 2010

I have a female who is the size of a house. She has been this way since before xmas. She laid 10 eggs a week after getting to that size but has laid no more since. I have tried every breeding initiator i can but still no eggs. I've had these axolotls for 4 or 5 years now from eggs themselves with no breeding problems in the past but now I'm worried she is egg bound as it has been so long. She also seems to be having problems eating due to her size (in my opinion). Does anyone have any ideas or had this problem themselves?

Bellabelloo · Apr 4, 2010

Would you be able to post a picture of her, also what is the substrate she is on?

blueberlin · Apr 5, 2010

Axolotls do not get egg bound. Eggs that are not laid get reabsorbed into the mother's body. The problem, if there is one, may be another. A swollen body and decreased appetite may indicate impaction - your girl may have swallowed something she is having difficulty passing. In this case, there is not much you can do except keep her in cool (possibly in the fridge), clean water, and wait.

-Eva

bikertj1981 · Apr 5, 2010

here is a few pics for info so you can see what i mean

she is on large gravel and slate sheets

Bellabelloo · Apr 5, 2010

I would advise you strongly to take her to the vet as soon as you can. In the mean time she should be kept somewhere cool, the fridge if it is reliable.

Axolotl Sanctuary

John · Apr 5, 2010

I agree with Eva - probably an impaction. It could also be an organ issue. Axolotls are amphibians, not reptiles - they do not get egg bound. This is a common piece of misinformation circulating in the hobby.

vladimere · Apr 5, 2010

Wow thats a really huge axie atm our wild type sphinx has also blown up overnight and taken to floating in the plants in her tank we are hoping that she's full of eggs but if we haven't found any by this weekend coming she's going to go for a holiday in the fridge and then the vet i think

dragonlady · Apr 5, 2010

Bikertj - Hope you take the vet advice seriously and get her to there ASAP! Please let us know the outcome and I wish you the best!

Well, Vlad, I certainly hope your Sphinx does not look like this poor thing...Ironic, I have a male wild named Sphynx!

vladimere · Apr 6, 2010

lol no she's not that bad but she's geting really fat we know it isnt over feeding as our lil ones are all hand fed they wont eat otherwise(stubburn we think)as for impaction well the missus is always at the tank n the substrate is the finest river sand( she picked it) and i'm laughing like mad that your liil one is also called sphinx.......n it's male i'll put a pic up soon as i can get our girl to sit still n pose as she does

bikertj1981 · Apr 7, 2010

thanx for the advice - i've looked into a vet but no exotic vet around here has any clue about axolotls. have found that my pH has declined since xmas (sorted it now tho).

Shizeric · Apr 7, 2010

An issue with pH is not going to cause the problem your axie has. I have a feeling if this issue is not resolved soon (through the care of a vet), your axie is not going to survive.

dragonlady · Apr 7, 2010

I would definitely get her in the fridge as Bellabelloo recommended if you have not already done so and try asking others on this forum who live in England for vet advice. Even if it is a drive for you (if you have the means), I think it would be worth it for your poor little girl here. I do wish you the best of luck with her and please keep us updated. Hopefully someone lives near you here on the forum can help you find someone for her!

callina · Apr 8, 2010

I have sadly agree to Shizeric. Your axie is in a very bad condition and has only a little chance to survice.

You should put him in the fridge immediately and you may use a light salt bath for keeping him in. That helps to suck out the watr in his body. ....and try to find a vet ASAP.

Tina

bikertj1981 · Apr 8, 2010

Still working on the vet - a collegue may know someone their looking into it for me. Chilling tank to 12 celcius. All eating and doing ok for the moment

daniellog · Apr 8, 2010

Has your axie gone down in swelling?

Shizeric · Apr 8, 2010

It looks like Violet Beauregardehttp://www.imdb.com/character/ch0003686/

bikertj1981 · Apr 9, 2010

daniellog said:
Has your axie gone down in swelling?

no not yet but there has been breeding behaviour

melfly · Apr 9, 2010

Even if they are showing breeding behavoiur, swelling like that is definately unrelated!

I would phone round as many vets as possible before its too late......and i dont think you have long!

I really hope you get her to a vet in time (which in my opinion was last week!)

Mel

dragonlady · Apr 9, 2010

Her swelling is not due to eggs, there is something else going on with her and would hope you would separate her so not to cause her any further stress. She really should be in the fridge where she can remain quiet until you can find her some vet help. I wish you and her the best and hope your colleague is successful soon.

bikertj1981 · Apr 13, 2010

Just got back from vets (finally found one over and hour away). He had a good look then took and xray and diagnosed servere egg retention and prescrible some meds to induce ovulation which i will get thursday to inject her with. Then i will have to wait and see, will keep you posted.

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