Illness/Sickness: Axolotl has large lump on one side of neck

[manutou]

Hi there,

I am new to the forum after discovering the site looking for answers to my axolotl's health issue. What a great site. So glad it is out there and I hope I can find something to help.

I have had axolotls as pets for the past 15 years without any problems. In fact the only problem was that they wouldn't stop breeding. The last of my axolotl brood is 8yrs old. A few months ago I noticed this large lump on the right side of his neck. He is still eating but his head tilts to that side now and swimming to the surface seems a bit awkward. It doesn't appear to have gotten any bigger but looks very uncomfortable. I was wondering if anyone knew what this could be and if it is treatable? His tank is filled with cobbles so it is not from eating sand or pebbles. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Manu

 

[Bellabelloo]

I haven't seen anything quite like that before. I suspect this will need to be seen by a vet.

 

[zombieaddict]

Could it be a tumor maybe? I was just reading the other day that axolotls can get tumors. Or maybe he injured himself and it got infected? I second Bellabelloo, a trip to the vet would probably be your safest bet.

 

[Margie]

Looks like it could be a tumor to me also. I haven't seen them in axolotls, but I've seen them quite a lot in fish over the years. Especially large koi. I took one to a fish vet at one point and got a confirmation of cancer. In koi it's especially common in large, older female fish.

Sadly, usually no treatment. On the other hand, they often live for years with no apparent problems.

If it's a tumor rather than a cyst, it will probably feel hard to the touch instead of soft or fluid-filled.

 

[manutou]

Thanks for your replies and all your suggestions. I found a vet in Sydney (Australia) that specialises in reptiles and amphibians. I have booked him in for a check up on the weekend. Will let you know what the result is.

 

[NWAxolotl]

Thanks for your replies and all your suggestions. I found a vet in Sydney (Australia) that specialises in reptiles and amphibians. I have booked him in for a check up on the weekend. Will let you know what the result is.

Good luck to you both, what a good owner to try to help your axolotl.

 

[manutou]

Poor axolotl went for his first and very traumatic trip to the vet yesterday. Turns out the lump was a cyst. After drawing some fluid out of it, it has reduced but may come back. I have been instructed to give him antibiotic baths for the next 10 days to see if that will kill the bacteria off. Unfortunately he is still very stressed with all the handling he has encountered. The first bath went ok. Today when I netted him to put him into the bath, a lot of his fluffy gills fell off. I am a bit concerned that the stress may kill him instead and am reluctant to continue for the next 8 days. He hasn't eaten since either.

I did see someone on the forum treated their axolotls with Furan 2. I was wondering if this might be a better option? Or if anyone has treated their axolotl with antibiotic baths, did it make their fluffy gills fall off and should I persevere?

Thanks

 

[Kaini]

If the vet told you to go with 10 days of treatment, I would stay faithful to that. Incomplete treatment may do more harm than good, and the vet generally knows what he is talking about.

 

[Kaysie]

What antibiotic did the vet prescribe?

 

[Elise]

A ten day treatment is pretty normal. I know it might seem like a medicated bath is a horrible process but it's a lot easier to perform on an axolotl that's not use to being handled than injections and oral treatments (uses the same technique as force feeding). Your vet might have even considered this while making your treatment plan.

If the nets are causing damage to your axoltol, switch to using your hands. Leave your hands in the water a bit before picking him so the warmth doesn't startle him. Then slide your fingers under his belly instead of grabbing him from the top like a claw machine. Take the decorations out of your tank to make him easier to pickup. Since he has a cyst under his chin, I would use my other hand for support to avoid adding pressure to his injury. The first couple times he will probably jet around the tank when you touch him, be gentle but determined. If you feel you are overtly stressing him, give him a few minutes alone to calm down. After a few baths you should be able to move him around without much fuss.

grasp the axolotl firmly. I use one finger under the head, and three under the body, with the front legs in between.

 

[auntiejude]

Axies absorb medication and chemicals through their skin, gills and digestive system, so whatever bath your vet has prescibed should be effective.

If you have trouble catching your axie try scooping him up in a tub. I catch mine in a tub, transfer them to the bath, then back in to the plain tub to transfer back.

 

[manutou]

He's on Baytril 0.25ml to 500ml of water. Hopefully it will do the trick. Yes, going to dispense with the net and try either the hands or I like the tub idea. Hope bath number 3 will be less stressful.

Thanks for your suggestions

 

[Kaysie]

Are you also refrigerating in conjunction with the baytril? If so, make sure ALL of your water is the same temperature: bath water, fresh water, etc.

 

[manutou]

Hi,

Yes, making sure the water temp is all the same. Today he is on day 5 of treatment. So far the cyst has not regrown and he seems less stressed. No more gills falling off so I am relieved and hoping that he will make a full recovery. Fingers crossed that the next 5 days of treatment will do the trick :happy:

 

[manutou]

My axolotl finally finished his 10 day course of antibiotics. I am glad to say he is back to eating, his gills are making a recovery and more importantly his cyst has not returned. He seems much happier to be back in his tank. :happy: Hopefully no more baths! Certainly was worth the trip to the vet.

Thanks to everyone on the forum.

 

[zombieaddict]

So happy to hear that everything went well! I'm glad it was a cyst and not a tumor!