Deformed leg

[SuperSteve]

One of my axolotls Timmy has a deformed leg. His back left leg is bent and when he walks he walks on the middle of his leg instead of his toes. I've had him for 6 months and he seems happy enough. In fact he's probably the most active of my 9 Axolotls. I read online yesterday that any deformed or disabled Axolotls should be euthanised. Thats not neccessary is it???

 

[FX1C]

It'd be a sad old day if a slight deformation was grounds for euthanasia

If an animal is not suffering or in pain - then a quality of life can still be achieved!

Iit's not likely to be a birth defect, it's more likely to be an injury from very early in life that has healed without aid of a splint or plaster (lol'ing at the image of lotl leg in cast)

Post a picture of him - but my thoughts are if it's healthy, happy, eating & pooping - then why shouldn't it deserve a full life

 

[Olivia97]

My advice would be not to breed incase it is a genetic deformity.

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I don't understand why euthanasia would be at all necessary unless it was quite obvious an animal was suffering. Put it this way; if every axolotl with a "deformity" got euthanized and I got a pound for each one I'd be pretty wealthy right now. As said, deformities caused by damage or trauma are likely much more common than something genetically wrong. If he seems happy and otherwise healthy, what's the problem? I think this axolotl (and many others with odd legs and too many toes) can live