Illness/Sickness: Broken Finger

[Hoagii]

I just got home from work and went to feed my little Fozz, and noticed that one of his fingers appears to be broken! Half-way down the finger, it's bending out at an awful angle. I'm so upset. I don't know how it could have happened. He's lived in this tank without issue for three months and the only recent change was the addition of a pvc pipe.

Is there anything I can do? It's hard to look at, but more than anything, I hate the thought that Fozz is in pain.

 

[Hoagii]

I hate to double post, but I'm worried sick. I need any advice! I'm getting told by vet staff that it may need to be amputated

 

[Donna001]

Would you be able to post any pictures?
If the vet advice is amputation, these guys have great healing and regenerating abilities, so the toe would regrow.
Are there any other symptoms, is he off his food, etc. What are the water conditions, and tank set up (what could have damaged his toe)?
There have been other keepers who have posted recently that have had axolotls with limb problems. The limbs have eventually fallen off and would be expected to regrow. As long as there is no infection, fungus, etc.
I am fairly new to keeping axolotls, so more experienced keepers may give better advice, and it may be worth you looking through some of the posts to see what has happened to others.
Best wishes for a full recovery for your little one.

 

[Hoagii]

Hi Donna, thanks for your reply. I'm attaching some pictures. It's the left "index finger." And Fozz looks puffed up in that pick because he was working on a worm.

My tank conditions have tested out perfectly. Fozz was pretty frantic the night of the accident, but is calm today. He never stopped eating. My only thought is that it got caught in the grate over my filter intake, and I can't very well get rid of that

We've got a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow, but I'm scared about how it will go.

 

[Donna001]

Hi Leah,
Apart from the finger, Fozz looks in good health. As you say, your tank parameters are perfect, Fozz is eating, and has calmed down today. This would sound as if he is not in pain and is ok. Is Fozz using the leg to walk & swim?
See what the vet says, but whatever the options are Fozz seems to be in the sort of condition where he would handle it well. Either the finger would be amputated, or perhaps drop off on its own, then regenerate, or perhaps could be straightened and heal.
As for what he caught it on, if it is the filter intake, could you reposition it? Or perhaps put a plant or something in the way, so he can't get near it, then it will reduce the risk of this happening again.
Fozz is looking good and it would be great if you could keep us updated on his progress. :happy:

 

[Hoagii]

We just returned from the vet (it was a stressful visit for both of us). The doctor suspects after examining Fozz, that it's actually more of a dislocation than a fracture since it seems to be kinked right at the joint. The doctor says that there doesn't appear that the skin is open at the joint (which i was afraid of), there's just a small abrasion on the toe.

Since it still has good blood supply and appears non-painful when manipulated, the plan for now is to just leave it. If it starts showing any signs of infection or necrosis, it will be amputated. Likely it will heal in a kinked position, but not affect Fozz's quality of life.

I'm relieved that he didn't have to have surgery today, though he got a scrape on his fin during the exam I'll be watching like a hawk the next several days- I'm a real nervous mama.

 

[Donna001]

That's fantastic news, especially as the vet says that the skin is not broken and Fozz doesn't seem to be in any pain.
Let us know how Fozz progresses, I hope that he continues as he is and doesn't need to have any treatments in the future. :happy: