Damaged limb, fungus

[Ian T]

Hi, I've just noticed one of my juvenile Dobrogicus has a damaged front limb which has fungal growth on it. They fight horrifically so I guess it has been dislocated. Other than that the animal seems fine and is swimming around chasing Daphnia. Should I just leave alone or amputate...? I'd prefer to let nature take it's course if possible.....
Thanks in advance, Ian

 

[Ian T]

I decided I should remove the leg and snipped it off with a pair of sharp scissors. I then put the animal in a tub and added some water stained with Indian Almond leaves. The newt didn't seem distressed in anyway and was eating chopped earthworm within minutes of its ordeal. After about 2 weeks the limb began to regrow and is now over half way there.

 

[PowerNewt]

I use amoxicillin on limb injuries, even ones with a fungus ball on it, for FBNs anyway... with good luck. Wish your little guy the best from me.
If they fight they should probably be separated though, before a worse injury happens.

 

[Ian T]

Thanks, the limb has totally regrown now and is as good as new, amazing really. I agree with you about avoiding future incidents, the fighting only seems to happen with chopped earthworms, I think it must be the smell of the blood. I'm avoiding feeding them worms and trying to find a pellet they'll take as a replacement staple. I'm also hoping that as they mature they'll stop this ridiculous behaviour..!

 

[Chinadog]

I wouldn't be surprised if things get worse feeding pellets, they'll be hunting the pellets by smell instead of site so will usually snap at anything remotely near the smell. My Ichthiosaura juveniles manage to damage themselves much less with moving food than pellets or defrosted stuff, they can really make a mess when they are trying to snap up pellets!