Axolotl's arm half ripped off

[crazyaizy]

A couple hours after feeding my axolotls I came back to see that one of their arms is twisted backwards and ripped. I was researching what I can do for him and I've seen that it should heal fine if the arms comes off, but I'm not sure if it will come off on its own or if I'll have to find a vet. He's housed with another male axolotl who's the same size as him. I think he may have been nipped when they were going after food and in trying to get away his arm tore. He seems to be acting normal and doesn't seem stressed but this just happened last night. Would tubbing him help detach his arm?

 

[axolotl nerd]

A couple hours after feeding my axolotls I came back to see that one of their arms is twisted backwards and ripped. I was researching what I can do for him and I've seen that it should heal fine if the arms comes off, but I'm not sure if it will come off on its own or if I'll have to find a vet. He's housed with another male axolotl who's the same size as him. I think he may have been nipped when they were going after food and in trying to get away his arm tore. He seems to be acting normal and doesn't seem stressed but this just happened last night. Would tubbing him help detach his arm?

i'd tub him asap and start tea baths for possible fugal infections that may occur. change the water daily and monitor him closely. i'm hesitant to give advice on at-home amputation, but if you can't find a vet to do so or it doesn't detach naturally i may be more inclined to

 

[crazyaizy]

Should I put him in the fridge as well? I got a hold of an exotic vet and she said it looks more like he's been degloved. She said he should be able to heal on his own if I keep the water clean and a good temp. He's tubbed in the fridge and I'm giving him tea baths. Thank you for the advice! I've attached a better image of the damage. He doesn't seem stressed which I'm relieved about.

 

[axolotl nerd]

Should I put him in the fridge as well? I got a hold of an exotic vet and she said it looks more like he's been degloved. She said he should be able to heal on his own if I keep the water clean and a good temp. He's tubbed in the fridge and I'm giving him tea baths. Thank you for the advice! I've attached a better image of the damage. He doesn't seem stressed which I'm relieved about.

no, fridging is used as a last resort because the sudden drop in temperature usually does more harm than good. don't be too hard on yourself though, i've made the same mistake. and yes, the vet is right- it looks as if the skin on his arm has been torn off, but the limb itself seems to be intact. clean water + stable cool temperatures with the tea baths should work, but keep us updated and continue to ask questions!! hope he's doing well

 

[Autistic Catholic]

Clean water, agreed! Might consider treating with methylene blue to prevent infection.

As for cutting it off...*only* do that if it gets really extreme but there are threads on here from people who have done that for their own axolotls. I think one user, just a couple months ago, did it for theirs and it's healed greatly, went right back to swimming.

 

[crazyaizy]

He's been in the tub with tea baths for about 3 days with his water changed about every 12 hours. His arm seems unchanged and he doesn't seem distressed but I tried feeding him today and he wasn't interested in food. Should I be worried about this yet, or is it due to being in a new environment?

 

[Autistic Catholic]

He's been in the tub with tea baths for about 3 days with his water changed about every 12 hours. His arm seems unchanged and he doesn't seem distressed but I tried feeding him today and he wasn't interested in food. Should I be worried about this yet, or is it due to being in a new environment?

No. They can go three weeks without food and he's probably a little bit stressed from what happened. Just keep offering food in front of him.