Axolotl hasn't pooped in 3+ weeks — previous bloating/floating episode, need advice

if she is tubbed.. use two tubs of equal size (preferably glass), fill both with water, add dechlorinator to one whilst leaving other to sit over night (put in air stone), put axolotl in tub which is dechlorinated, after twenty four hours remove axolotl and put her in the other tub, wash used tub well than refill with water and let sit twenty four hours repeat until ready to go in tank, the reason for allowing water to sit twenty four hours is to let any chlorides to vent of without using a dechlorinator, this is to try to reduce oxygen depletion which dechlorinators can cause.
if she is in tank.. fill a tub/bucket which is equal to amount of water being replaced, leave it twenty four hours, remove water from tank and add water from tub/bucket then refill tub/bucket ready for next water change.
an air stone can be added to the tub/bucket helping to oxygenate it for when needed.
be aware that whilst she is in low levels of water the ammonia levels will rise faster, these will need monitoring.
use 2g/l non-iodised salt in any water that she is in, this will help reduce affects from any ammonia spikes and will help with the damaged/regressed gills.
ensuring an adequate carnivore diet will help protect organs, make sure your ph kh gh are within ideal levels, if they aren't good/ideal a solution such as holtfreters may be required.
allowing an air stone/s to be placed in tank/tub without her gulping bubbles may require some thought, perhaps fit under gravel filter (gravel and filter in name only) to allow for airstones to be placed down the tubes which will also circulate water whilst preventing bubble swallowing.
 
Last edited:
wolfen said:
if she is tubbed.. use two tubs of equal size (preferably glass), fill both with water, add dechlorinator to one whilst leaving other to sit over night (put in air stone), put axolotl in tub which is dechlorinated, after twenty four hours remove axolotl and put her in the other tub, wash used tub well than refill with water and let sit twenty four hours repeat until ready to go in tank, the reason for allowing water to sit twenty four hours is to let any chlorides to vent of without using a dechlorinator, this is to try to reduce oxygen depletion which dechlorinators can cause.
if she is in tank.. fill a tub/bucket which is equal to amount of water being replaced, leave it twenty four hours, remove water from tank and add water from tub/bucket then refill tub/bucket ready for next water change.
an air stone can be added to the tub/bucket helping to oxygenate it for when needed.
be aware that whilst she is in low levels of water the ammonia levels will rise faster, these will need monitoring.
use 2g/l non-iodised salt in any water that she is in, this will help reduce affects from any ammonia spikes and will help with the damaged/regressed gills.
ensuring an adequate carnivore diet will help protect organs, make sure your ph kh gh are within ideal levels, if they aren't good/ideal a solution such as holtfreters may be required.
allowing an air stone/s to be placed in tank/tub without her gulping bubbles may require some thought, perhaps fit under gravel filter (gravel and filter in name only) to allow for airstones to be placed down the tubes which will also circulate water whilst preventing bubble swallowing.
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Is feeding still recommended while she has gas bloat? Many posts from Chinese keepers state that food can ferment inside the gut and produce more gas. I’m unsure whether I should keep feeding her. I’m also worried this condition may progress into gastroenteritis. Her legs and tail are still floating, and this has lasted for a week now. I’m really concerned about her.
 
wolfen said:
if she is tubbed.. use two tubs of equal size (preferably glass), fill both with water, add dechlorinator to one whilst leaving other to sit over night (put in air stone), put axolotl in tub which is dechlorinated, after twenty four hours remove axolotl and put her in the other tub, wash used tub well than refill with water and let sit twenty four hours repeat until ready to go in tank, the reason for allowing water to sit twenty four hours is to let any chlorides to vent of without using a dechlorinator, this is to try to reduce oxygen depletion which dechlorinators can cause.
if she is in tank.. fill a tub/bucket which is equal to amount of water being replaced, leave it twenty four hours, remove water from tank and add water from tub/bucket then refill tub/bucket ready for next water change.
an air stone can be added to the tub/bucket helping to oxygenate it for when needed.
be aware that whilst she is in low levels of water the ammonia levels will rise faster, these will need monitoring.
use 2g/l non-iodised salt in any water that she is in, this will help reduce affects from any ammonia spikes and will help with the damaged/regressed gills.
ensuring an adequate carnivore diet will help protect organs, make sure your ph kh gh are within ideal levels, if they aren't good/ideal a solution such as holtfreters may be required.
allowing an air stone/s to be placed in tank/tub without her gulping bubbles may require some thought, perhaps fit under gravel filter (gravel and filter in name only) to allow for airstones to be placed down the tubes which will also circulate water whilst preventing bubble swallowing.
Click to expand...
At first she passed one complete solid stool, but in the following days her droppings became small and buoyant. I would appreciate any advice regarding this stool condition.
 
at this moment in time tub her in water that is just over her dorsal fin (so that she is fully submerged but her feet touch the floor), feed her at night (bloodworm, worms, salmon, shrimp, fish etc..), change 100% water in morning, repeat process until she no longer floats, ensure the water is cool/cold above 10°c but bellow 18/19°c (15°c preferable), add 2g/l non-iodised salt to any water used.
whilst she is being tubbed test the tank to ensure it can cycle 4ppm ammonia per day.
whilst she is tubbed she can be given methyline blue + acriflavine baths (mixed together half fish dose 10-15 mins per day, only do treatments in tubs never in tank) to prevent bacterial infection in gut.
 
wolfen said:
at this moment in time tub her in water that is just over her dorsal fin (so that she is fully submerged but her feet touch the floor), feed her at night (bloodworm, worms, salmon, shrimp, fish etc..), change 100% water in morning, repeat process until she no longer floats, ensure the water is cool/cold above 10°c but bellow 18/19°c (15°c preferable), add 2g/l non-iodised salt to any water used.
whilst she is being tubbed test the tank to ensure it can cycle 4ppm ammonia per day.
whilst she is tubbed she can be given methyline blue + acriflavine baths (mixed together half fish dose 10-15 mins per day, only do treatments in tubs never in tank) to prevent bacterial infection in gut.
Click to expand...
Hello, I currently have her in tubbed quarantine with the water level just above her dorsal fin. She is still floating on her hind legs and tail. I already have methylene blue on hand, which is a common medication.
Acriflavine seems quite hard to source. When I searched online, most results were veterinary formulations intended for livestock like pigs and cattle. I also found an aquarium quarantine product labelled acriflavine hydrochloride — could this be the correct one?
Do I mix methylene blue and acriflavine together in the same bath? What are the dosages?
Can non-iodised table salt be used?
Is it okay to continue Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) baths?
I have seen many Chinese axolotl keepers treat similar floating symptoms with gentamicin baths. Would you recommend gentamicin?
At this stage she shows no signs of gastroenteritis; her cloaca is not swollen or red. She does produce floating faeces, and has not passed any waste for the last five days. She did defecate a few days before this tail floating issue started.
Thank you!
 
wolfen said:
0.5ml per 10 litre methyline blue + 1.5ml per 100 litre acriflavine (these calculations are based on dosages using nt labs medications half fish dose)
see https://ambystoma.uky.edu/genetic-stock-center/newsletters/Older_archive/Issues-1-12/archive/Issue 3/09-16brothers.pdf for more info/accurate dosages.
gentamicin is a broad spectrum antibiotic also see above link
acriflavine hydrochloride is correct.
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Many many thanks！Wishing you and your salamanders health and well-being.
 
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