Illness/Sickness: Broken Leg??

[poncho11]

Hi Everyone, would really appriciate some help or advice, our two year old gold female axolotl Poncho recenlty got in a little tank fight with her tank mate Allie, very strange as this is the first incident we have had in two years. Basicly Allie had Poncho's leg in her mouth for a few seconds, after breaking them up we noticed Poncho's leg wasn't moving and didn't look too great, we decided to seperate her from our other two Axolotls and place him in the fridge, its only been 24 hours and she is moving around pretty happily in the container in the fridge but not eating and still dragging that leg, just looking for some advice on what we can possibly do to help her leg heal. Many thanks in advance, Gaz. Ps will attempt to put up some pics.

 

[Olivia97]

Hi there, I was in a similar situation not too long ago, from my experience it will just take time to heal and he will probably start using it again, there's no need for the fridge really, just as long as its dark, cool and quiet. Best of luck

 

[poncho11]

Thats good advice, thanks. As your probably aware, being from Australia too it can be really hard keeping the tank mega cool so might just keep fridging for the time being, can't hurt surely. Also just out of interest how long did your Axolotl take to heal from their injury?

 

[poncho11]

Also not sure if you can see in the photos but there is a white layer over the broken leg, is that a fungus or normal after this type of injury? Sorry for all the questions!!!

 

[Olivia97]

That doesn't look to me like fungus, rather tissue. My axie healed up completely within a month but it may vary as his injury wasn't too serious. Good luck

 

[poncho11]

just a little update, have had poncho in the fridge for a few days, water at around 7 degrees celcius, regular water changes of about 40/50%. Today she seemed to be suffering a bit and thrashing around in the container, ended up flipping upside down a few times. I changed the water and placed her in a bigger container and she seems more relaxed now, is this normal behaviour while fridging?

 

[Kaysie]

You're probably not doing a big enough water change, leading to ammonia buildup.

 

[poncho11]

Thank you for your advice. Will change a greater % of the water. It's hard work this fridging, hopefully it will all pay off.

 

[Olivia97]

You should change 100% of the water every day.

 

[poncho11]

Well it's been a little over a week and poncho is still I'm the fridge. Have now been doing 100% water changes daily. Woke up this morning to find a little fungus on her gills. What's the next step so it won't spread or get worse? Not sure I can salt bath due to her wound

 

[Olivia97]

Pretty much the only way to clear fungus is to do a salt bath. Is the wound still open/bleeding like? If its not and it's just regenerating flesh then you should be fine doing salt baths. Continue the fridging, that will slow down the fungus. There's a great tutorial on salt baths at the top of this subforum.

 

[poncho11]

Thanks again for your reply, the wound is not bleeding but still quite open and fleshy. Have gone to 100% water changes twice a day. Bit hesitant on the salt bath.

 

[FX1C]

There's nothing better to soothe any wound & aid healing than salt water. I can't believe that it would be detrimental to do a standard times salt bath even with a wound as it should be a gentle cleanser & antibacterial rinse.

As long as he/she is returned to clean fridging water afterwards I would think it would be ok to do a salt bath, the last thing you want or need is to be fighting off fungus whilst your axie is concentrating energies on healing



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[poncho11]

.Thanks for the reply Nikki, will give it a try today, also I have access to ethylene blue, what are peoples thoughts/experiences with that as I've heard it can be good against fungus

 

[Olivia97]

It's pretty hard to deal with and really not worth it, you have to dilute it to no end and if done incorrectly can do more harm than good, stick with the salt and it should clear it up

 

[FX1C]

.Thanks for the reply Nikki, will give it a try today, also I have access to ethylene blue, what are peoples thoughts/experiences with that as I've heard it can be good against fungus

Many things deemed good or great are talked up by the shops / vets who sell them - hence it's in their best interest to highly recommend a product they sell that costs $20 over good advice & salt bath recommendation because even if they sold the salt it would only cost $2.

I'll always try & find a natural gentle option first rather than try an "easy fix" option that is just a finely balanced concoction of toxic chemicals. Personally I avoid the chemical "cure alls" until it is pretty much the last resort... or of course if it is beyond obvious that intervention is required early on, like antibiotics for appropriate illnesses / infections.



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[poncho11]

Just completed first salt bath using the tutorial on the sickness thread, seemed to go well, not too much thrashing or stress. Hopefully this will clear it up and help that leg heal. So repeat the salt baths every 12 hours ?

 

[Olivia97]

Yep every 12 hours. Keep up with the fridge since it will probably be warmer weather

 

[Nemesea]

I was told that almond leaves are good for fungus infections but I have not used them yet as I haven't had the need to, so someone else may know a bit more about them. I hope your axolotls gets better soon.

 

[Olivia97]

I was told that almond leaves are good for fungus infections but I have not used them yet as I haven't had the need to, so someone else may know a bit more about them. I hope your axolotls gets better soon.

Almond leaves are better for minor skin irritations rather than fungal infections.