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

[peilr]

due to axolotls being aquatic any probiotics they receive would be via their food which would normally be pellets, you would have to check ingredients on axolotl pellets to see if they include probiotics (I don't feed mine pellets so I don't have a personal choice).

Hi Wolfen. I treated my axolotl with metronidazole bath yesterday, and fed her soaked pellets today. This evening I found this substance in the tank. I can’t tell whether it is gastrointestinal mucus or white faeces; it contains some brown things. Do you have any advice? Does this mean her gastrointestinal tract is full of trichomonads?

 

[wolfen]

if your axolotl is infected by trichomonads metronidazole should treat it but worth while retesting after treatment.
the mucus can be numerous things ie.. slime coat, regurgitated mucus, bile, the main things is to continue treatment till completion ensuring her tub is scrubbed daily after use to prevent reinfection, make sure to wear gloves etc.. as humans can also become host to parasitic protozoa.

 

[peilr]

if your axolotl is infected by trichomonads metronidazole should treat it but worth while retesting after treatment.
the mucus can be numerous things ie.. slime coat, regurgitated mucus, bile, the main things is to continue treatment till completion ensuring her tub is scrubbed daily after use to prevent reinfection, make sure to wear gloves etc.. as humans can also become host to parasitic protozoa.

Is the metronidazole treatment protocol 50 mg per litre for a 24‑hour bath, administered every other day? How long should the full course last? My vet only recommended a retest after it defecates. Can metronidazole itself cause harm to its body? What aftercare should I provide once treatment finishes? I am struggling to tell whether this substance is mucus or white faeces; I have never seen anything like it before. Could this be mucus? Thank you very much.

The water level is currently around 6 cm. I am worried that prolonged tail floating will expose its caudal and dorsal fins above the water surface, and the fins have already started to shrink and collapse. Would you have any recommendations for me?

 

[wolfen]

most directions for metronidazole is 50mg/l bath for 24hrs only, this seems to be a one time treatment although depending upon which condition it treats it can continue for 3-5 days (speak to vet before increase duration of medication).
I would normally recommend housing axolotls in 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate as standard which helps prevent fungal/mold edema etc.. whilst improving water conditions, whilst the use of 100% holtfreters is as treatment for ammonia, fungal/mold, edema as well as parasitic organisms which are sensitive to salinity.
because general health can effect susceptibility to adverse conditions feeding a balanced but varied carnivore diet is required.
see here for holtfreters.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity

 

[peilr]

most directions for metronidazole is 50mg/l bath for 24hrs only, this seems to be a one time treatment although depending upon which condition it treats it can continue for 3-5 days (speak to vet before increase duration of medication).
I would normally recommend housing axolotls in 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate as standard which helps prevent fungal/mold edema etc.. whilst improving water conditions, whilst the use of 100% holtfreters is as treatment for ammonia, fungal/mold, edema as well as parasitic organisms which are sensitive to salinity.
because general health can effect susceptibility to adverse conditions feeding a balanced but varied carnivore diet is required.
see here for holtfreters.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity

Hi Wolfen,
I have now completed the metronidazole treatment course and am waiting for her stool sample for testing. I asked my vet how to ease the bloat, and he recommended simethicone to be given orally directly. I was wondering if you are familiar with this medication. Oral administration is quite challenging for me.
I plan to perform a medicinal bath using magnesium sulfate at 0.1 mg/L. Should I add it straight into the main tank? How long should the bath duration be?
This episode of bloat has persisted for a long time, so I’ve kept the water level low. I notice her dorsal and caudal fins are sometimes exposed above the water surface, which is heartbreaking to see. Is there anything I can do to help her?

Thank you so much.