Broken leg - amputate or leave?

[anne-marie]

I noticed about a week ago that one of my juvies had a broken front leg high up where it meets the body. His front leg seems to wave up in the air, into and through his gills - like he's saying hello.I separated him into his own container.

Today, I noticed bone or something similar protruding. I'm concerned because:

1) I don't know if this may attract fungus (which I've never had before).

2) Also because I'm not sure whether the best thing is to amputate, if so how? SHould I just leave it - has anybody had anything similar happen?

3) And if, in Australia, there is any anaesthesic available commercially??

 

[cynthia]

Anne - I once had a young axolotl who had a leg that grew up into the air like you describe. It was the result of a sibling biting him. He grew a second leg that went the right way (down) out of the base of the leg that was up in the air. It started out as a nub similar to what you are describing.

Is its leg held on by just skin or can it move the leg?

 

[anne-marie]

He can move it. And he's eating well. I guess I'm inclined to leave it as is. But then will he have a two pronged front leg???

 

[cynthia]

Mine ended up with 2 legs from one joint.

At the joint (elbow, knee) on the front leg he had a complete with foot and toes leg that went up in the air, and one that was "normal" and went down.

I loved watching him walk... I always pictured him with a little top hat in his hand that was waving in the air as he walked by.

 

[anne-marie]

He he. Sounds pretty funny. I would keep this guy if he turns out looking like some vaudeville act. But I can't because my tank is already at max carrying capacity. If he turns out funny looking, I'll see if I can get a pic and post it on this site.