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Axy has swollen head and abdomen - URGENT

S

steve

Guest
Hi all, I have had my axolotyl for about 18 mths now with no problems in the past. She has in the last 2 weeks shown signs of swelling around the abdomen and face. It seems to be quickly getting worse and I'm not sure what the problem is. The water chemistry is fine and the water temp is 16 degrees C. It is winter here in Sydney and it has been quite cold recently. I have had a "Shark" filter for about 12 months and have always kept it on the maximum aeration setting. She isn't eating and I'm concerned that perhaps she has this "gas bubble disease" i've read about. How can I tell if she has it and what can i do.
 
M

miss

Guest
I'm sorry that I can't offer you any help but there is another thread with a link you can go to, showing pics and a description about this gas bubble disease.

Sorry I can't be of much help and I hope your axie gets better.

Amanda
 
L

leah

Guest
Define "fine." What are your exact readings? The more info you can give, the better people here will be able to help
happy.gif
 
L

leah

Guest
Check out the "Floating..." thread further down the axolotl help page and take a look at the pictures of Kim's axie in there. Does yours look anything like that?
 
K

katy

Guest
i'm not sure what it could be if the two swellings are related - gas bubble disease just looks like little bubbles under the skin from what i've seen, not big swellings (though i'm no expert), and it only happens under pretty exceptional circumstances.

a swollen throat and jaw region often means heart problems/failure, but if her mouth is also propped open by the swelling it may be a mouth infection that was mentioned on an earlier post (sorry can't remember what they called it).

i'd get her to a vet if you can, they may be able to give her something for an infection.
 
K

kim

Guest
All i have to say is get to a vet... if u can catch it quick you may save her if its anything like my axie spunky...

Or as Katy says it could heart or liver failure, if here is nothing the vet can do at least he can take the pain away...

Good luck and keep us updated!
 
S

steve

Guest
Hi all, thanks for your responses. I've just checked out the "floating" thread further down the page and my axy "biscuits" doesnt have any of those symptoms. She does however resemble very closely the picture of an axolotyl that Mik Flounders puts next to replies. I'll attach the picture, it very very closely resembles how my axolotyl looks.
20933.jpg
 
K

katy

Guest
i don't think mik's axo was sick in this shot - it might have been eating/yawning...? mik?

if his mouth is stuck open like that my guess would be that mouth infection. i still say get him to a vet if you're worried - if it's nothing, no harm done!
 
S

steve

Guest
Thanks for posting Katy. She's my first axy and i freak out a little everytime something new happens. My axy is still moving around and stuff and seems fairly happy. She also has swelling around her upper abdomen. Do axolotyls change dramatically at sexual maturity? Could this account for the swelling? I've emailed Mik to ask if this is normal or not.
 
K

kim

Guest
I believe that Tweak, Mik's axie has been like this since he had him.. I was talking to him the other day and i think he is going to take him down the vet just to see what he thinks.

I dont think Tweak is swollen around his abdomen but he has a very ribbed body.. but that may have something to do with being kept in a pod before mik got him.

Steve i would still take him to the vet just to be on the safe side. And i dont think reaching sexual maturity would make yours swell up like this.
 
K

katy

Guest
when you say abdomen do you mean cloaca region, or lower belly? if it's her lower belly, she might have reached sexual maturity as you said and be carrying eggs. females are rounder than males in this way.
 
M

mik

Guest
Nope Katy, Tweak is always like this. I have been thinking of taking him to vet because of lower jaw...but he is so active. It keeps making me think twice.
 
S

steve

Guest
Hi all,
I took Biscuits to the vet today here in Sydney. He was a specialist exotic vet, really great guy. He said that she had an infection and gave her a vitamin, anti worming and anti fungal injection. I've got some antibiotics for her too which she's currently being bathed in. Her swelling has gone down a lot just this afternoon and I'll try feeding her tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.
 
S

steve-o

Guest
Hi All, thanks for your response Mik! I took Biscuits to the exotic pets vet today here in Sydney. He said that the swelling was due to an infection and gave her a vitamin, anti-fungal and anti-worm injection. He also gave her an antibiotic solution which she's currently bathing in. The swelling has gone down considerably just this afternoon. Fingers crossed!
 
M

mik

Guest
That's a good sign Steve-o (not the S-O I trust!). How about a piccy posted when Biscuits is well again. Everyone here loves to see piccys. The variation in axie-appearance is quite amazing.

I have appointment for Tweak to visit herp vet on Thursday evening. Finally decided although he appears to be fine I'll get him checked out anyway.
 
K

katy

Guest
ooh which vet in sydney did you go to? i heard of one in alexandria that's supposed to be good, but it's always great to have one on the list for emergencies!

and great to hear she's getting better!
 
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