Illness/Sickness: Axie has lost motor function in legs and tail

[JAFFA]

Hi all

I have NO idea whats going on here with one of my axies. Ive had this one a couple of years and a couple of days ago I noticed that he wasnt moving properly. Unpon inspection he was only using his front legs to pull himself along the floor of the tank. His rear legs look as though they've been re-attached backwards! It also appears the the axie cant use its tail to propel itself.

Today it looks as though one of the front legs has stopped working so its down to one front leg. When it tries to use this leg the axie almost certainly always flips over onto its back where it remains until righted by me. There are another couple of axies in the tank which are all in good health.

Does anyone have any idea whats going on here? Any advie/info would be most welcome as im stumped. And I dont like to see my axie suffering (if such is the case)

Thanks

 

[Jacquie]

Unpon inspection he was only using his front legs to pull himself along the floor of the tank. His rear legs look as though they've been re-attached backwards! It also appears the the axie cant use its tail to propel itself.

Hi Jaffa,

Is there anything in the tank that he may have swallowed that could be causing a blockage? If a rock is stuck and he is trying to pass it, this might be causing the splayed back legs.

I would put him in isolation and keep him in the fridge. Keep him in enough water so he can touch the ground but not float around.

The fridge will aid him pass a stone if he is impacted and if he is not impacted, the holiday in the fridge will buy you some time to ascertain the problem and correct it.

Please keep us posted. Cheers Jacq.

 

[oceanblue]

Jacq could be right and I too would put this axolotl in the fridge for now.

An alternative cause of this problem could be something compressing or destroying the spinal cord. Given one forelimb is also affected if this is the case the lesion is low in the neck. Is there any obvious lump behind the head such as an abscess a vet could needle and drain?

From the pain and suffering point of view in humans most spinal lesions are painless and no sensation of pain reaches the brain from the paralysed limbs. Unlike humans, axolotls can regenerate damaged brain and spinal tissue so it may be treatable by a vet.

 

[JAFFA]

Thanks for the advice Jacq & OB - its much appreciated.

The Axie concerned is now in the fridge. He appears to be in great health other than this. There are no obvious signs of infection or damage. I'll see if I can get a picture taken so you can have a better look for the record as it were.

 

[JAFFA]

Right ... My little fella has been in the fridge for the last 48 hours and he's still the same. He doesnt appear to be in any distress and only has one good leg.

He hasn't eaten a thing tho (bloodworm). Is this normal? If not is there anything I can tempt him with?

 

[Jacquie]

Right ... My little fella has been in the fridge for the last 48 hours and he's still the same. He doesnt appear to be in any distress and only has one good leg.

He hasn't eaten a thing tho (bloodworm). Is this normal? If not is there anything I can tempt him with?

Hi Jaffa,

While in the fridge it is normal for an axolotl to not be inclined to eat. The fridge slows the metabolism right down, but on the plus side the axolotl's weight loss is also slowed down.

I would try leaving a small or cut up earthworm with the axolotl in the fridge overnight...it may mysteriously vanish....

Leave food each day. Remove the food if still there the next morning and replace with fresh.

 

[JAFFA]

Cheers Havelock - I've been leaving food over night but there doesnt seem to be any gone come the following morning. He hasnt been leaving any stools other than one withing the 1st 24hrs of been left in the fridge. How long can they go without food before it becomes an issue?

(To be perfectly honest Ive had a couple of sick axies over the last couple of years and none have them have ever lost their appetite! Axies on the whole just seem to be eating machines!)

On the upside he seems to be regaining the use of his front leg (although its not perfect) which gives me hope. :happy:

On the downside it 'seems' as though he has a thin film or membrane on parts of his body - such as the tips of his gills and his 'toes'. Im talking about VERY small amounts but i haven't noticed it before.

Is a salt bath recommended? If so whats the ratio of salt to water?

 

[Jacquie]

Cheers Havelock - I've been leaving food over night but there doesnt seem to be any gone come the following morning. He hasnt been leaving any stools other than one withing the 1st 24hrs of been left in the fridge. How long can they go without food before it becomes an issue?

In conjunction with fridging, Axolotls can go up to three months without food.

(To be perfectly honest Ive had a couple of sick axies over the last couple of years and none have them have ever lost their appetite! Axies on the whole just seem to be eating machines!)

LOL, they are indeed. Some axolotls have a better resistance to illness than others.

Just keep offering food each day. You could hear me cheer from a mile off when one of my little darlings finally ate something after a month or so in the fridge.

On the upside he seems to be regaining the use of his front leg (although its not perfect) which gives me hope.

That's great news!

On the downside it 'seems' as though he has a thin film or membrane on parts of his body - such as the tips of his gills and his 'toes'. Im talking about VERY small amounts but i haven't noticed it before.

Could you post a photo of it?

Is a salt bath recommended? If so whats the ratio of salt to water?

If needed: Two teaspoons of salt per litre of water. Leave axolotl in bath for 10 minutes - no longer than 15 minutes as the salt will start to damage the skin and gills. For the salt bath ensure you use the same fridged water you use for the axolotl's daily water changes so the axolotl does not suffer temperature shocks.

If you could post the photo of the 'thin film' or 'membrane' before commencing saltbaths so we can take a look (because we're nosey!) that would be great.

Cheers Jacq.

 

[JAFFA]

In conjunction with fridging, Axolotls can go up to three months without food.

WOW! ... Thats all I have to say about that!

I'll do my best to get a pic up either later tonight or sat morning (uk time) ... Assuming its still there!

Thanks for your time and advice - its much appreciated!

 

[JAFFA]

Ok ... Here's a couple of pics. I have to say that its got a lot worse in the 12 hours since I last looked. Especially the 'lump' of the stuff that i've ringed - that wasnt there this morning!! :errr:

I assume that a salt bath will help clear this up? Should i try to manually remove the larger areas of 'fungus'? I know their gills are delicate ...

 

[Jacquie]

Ok ... Here's a couple of pics. I have to say that its got a lot worse in the 12 hours since I last looked. Especially the 'lump' of the stuff that i've ringed - that wasnt there this morning!! :errr:

I assume that a salt bath will help clear this up? Should i try to manually remove the larger areas of 'fungus'? I know their gills are delicate.

Try to give two to three salt baths a day and this should clear the fungus.

If you have a steady hand and steely resolve you can try to manually get the fungus off with a pair of tweezers or a cotton bud. Be very gentle and don't force the issue if the fungus won't come off particuarly around the gills.

The salt baths will attack the fungus so if the fungus didn't budge the first time trying to get it off, it may after a couple of days be weakened enough to try again.

How are the back legs going? Has he been able to move them?

 

[JAFFA]

Try to give two to three salt baths a day and this should clear the fungus.

Okie Dokie - Where does this come from? He seemed fine in the main tank before removal. Ive never had an axie with fungus before.

If you have a steady hand and steely resolve you can try to manually get the fungus off with a pair of tweezers or a cotton bud. Be very gentle and don't force the issue if the fungus won't come off particuarly around the gills.

I'll give it a go, however sometimes just when you're thinking everything is nice an relaxed he dedcides that he's never been handled before and throws a fit ...

The salt baths will attack the fungus so if the fungus didn't budge the first time trying to get it off, it may after a couple of days be weakened enough to try again.

I shan't force the issue with the cotton buds then!

How are the back legs going? Has he been able to move them?

No sign of movement as yet. His left front was working for a while earlier with his good right. Both his little legs were going hell for leather on the smooth surface of the container he's in. He wasnt getting anywhere at all bless him!

I'll report back over the weekend with my (his!) progress.


Once again, thanks for the advice :happy:

 

[JAFFA]

Update:

The axie has been kept in the fridge for the last 4 weeks but has been removed for the last couple of days.

There has been no noticable improvement regarding his tail/limbs unless I atempt to handle him and he starts paddling like mad. If i touch the limbs then the move but he wont use them of his own accord apart from the front-right leg.

His fungus cleared up and then came back but both was successfully treated with salt baths.

On top of this he hasnt eaten. Since being removed from the fridge he has attempted to take food (bloodworm) from my hand and chewed but then spat it out.

Other than this he looks and behaves like a healthy axie ....

Anyone have any further ideas or advice?

 

[oceanblue]

I'm afraid I haven't any further suggestions; sorry the previous ones didn't do the trick. I wonder if anyone else has ideas.

 

[Jacquie]

There has been no noticable improvement regarding his tail/limbs unless I atempt to handle him and he starts paddling like mad. If i touch the limbs then the move but he wont use them of his own accord apart from the front-right leg.

So he CAN move them but chooses not to? What a strange little fellow.

His fungus cleared up and then came back but both was successfully treated with salt baths.

With salt baths it's recommended to continue salt baths for a week after fungus seems gone just to make sure it really is.

On top of this he hasnt eaten. Since being removed from the fridge he has attempted to take food (bloodworm) from my hand and chewed but then spat it out.

I would give him some time to settle in, it may take a week or so. He's been in very cold water for four weeks and probably just needs time to settle back into his old tank environment and adjust to the different temperature.

Other than this he looks and behaves like a healthy axie ....
Anyone have any further ideas or advice?

Change his name to 'Oddball'

If he is behaving like a healthy axolotl I would just enjoy his oddities. Hopefully someone may be able to offer further advice.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Right ... My little fella has been in the fridge for the last 48 hours and he's still the same. He doesnt appear to be in any distress and only has one good leg.

He hasn't eaten a thing tho (bloodworm). Is this normal? If not is there anything I can tempt him with?

Axolotls generally eat less at lower temperatures, however as the others have stated offer food and remove it if it remains uneaten.

Just curious, but approximately how many years have you had this one? About how old is he?
And lastly, what does his normal diet consist of?

 

[JAFFA]

So he CAN move them but chooses not to? What a strange little fellow.

I noticed this morning that he waggled his rear legs on his own .. And in fact propelled himself a little - so he's showing some signs of improvement (I hope!)

With salt baths it's recommended to continue salt baths for a week after fungus seems gone just to make sure it really is.

Baths will be continued! :happy:

I would give him some time to settle in, it may take a week or so. He's been in very cold water for four weeks and probably just needs time to settle back into his old tank environment and adjust to the different temperature.

Okie Dokie - I see the reasoning

Change his name to 'Oddball'

Now theres a thing - he doesnt have a name!:wacko:

If he is behaving like a healthy axolotl I would just enjoy his oddities. Hopefully someone may be able to offer further advice.

I think that may have to be the way forward - although i have another question at the end of this post....

Just curious, but approximately how many years have you had this one? About how old is he?
And lastly, what does his normal diet consist of?

We got him just over 2 years ago when he was about 4 or perhaps 5 inches. He's now about as big as they get - 11 inches or so. At a guess i'd put him at about 3 years old (perhaps a little older) ... So he's a young one.


Ok .... Since this morning -when he started waggling his rear legs - his tail has curled up lik a little pigs. Ive gently moved him and done the bath bit but his tail reverts instantly to the curled position. It doesnt seem to be painful or distressing him but I was wondering if anyone had seen this before?

Heres a pic:

 

[oceanblue]

I've not seen anything like this but it is plausible for a recovering slightly asymmetrical high spinal lesion, which has now recovered on one side creating the curled tail, rather like stroke patients may have assymetrical half paralysed faces. With luck it it may eventually recover completely as it does seem to be on the mend.

 

[JAFFA]

And lastly, what does his normal diet consist of?

Sorry! I missed this one! His diet normally consists of Bloodworm (frozen and live) and also live river shrimp every couple of weeks or so when available.

I've not seen anything like this but it is plausible for a recovering slightly asymmetrical high spinal lesion, which has now recovered on one side creating the curled tail, rather like stroke patients may have assymetrical half paralysed faces. With luck it it may eventually recover completely as it does seem to be on the mend.

I like your thinking! It makes perfect sense and the stroke idea would explain how it happened overnight. I was watching him a couple of minutes ago and his rear right paw(?) was opening and closing like a little baby. Apart from being quite adorable to watch its a very significant movement compared to the absolute zero independent movement he's been showing.

I hope that he's on the mend but he's still not eating. Just snapping the food into his mouth, 'chewing' for a moment .. And then 'spitting' it out.

 

[JAFFA]

Well its almost a week later and the little fellow still isnt eating. He's going for the food ... Chewing and then violently spitting it out.

He hasnt eaten for 7 weeks now