Question: Frozen Peas

[CJ1981]

Hi Guys,

Whilst browsing on another forum (one for aquariums in general not just Axlotls and co) I came accross an Axolotl owner who had a constipated Axolotl. She was seeking advice on how to manage the situation.

She had had several replies telling her to give her Axolotl a few frozen peas as this is the traditional remedy for fish. I replied pointing out that

a) Axolotls ARE NOT FISH

and

b) they are carnivores.

I suggested fridging etc and told her to check out this site for more info and advice. My advice re: fridging was met with hostility from other site users who went on to reiterate their advice to feed frozen peas.

My question is will feeding frozen peas do any harm? I don't intend to try this I am merely curious. Personally I can't see an Axolotl eating frozen peas very readily, I can envisage an initial 'snap' and 'mouthing' before they are spat out with a look of utter disgust on the Axolotls face

 

[esn]

I'm sure it wouldn't cause harm, as axolotls do sometimes accidentally snap at and swallow aquatic vegetation. I do not however see how it would help an axolotl with constipation. Fridging is the best option. They're clearly fish owners, and are most likely not experts on amphibian care. All you can do is advertise proper care. If the owner decides to take their advice over caudata's or yours, it's their problem, and their dead or injured animal.

 

[Jake]

I'm not sure how fridging an axolotl would relieve constipation. Usually a change in diet or more food will help. Cooling them down to the temperature of an average fridge will slow down their metabolism (which won't speed up the log dropping) and the drastic temperature change should be done very slowly and only for very sick animals as a last resort.

It seems like everyone on here agrees that fridging is a "cure all" for axolotls. From fungus, to annorexia, constipation or the heebie jeebies, it's really not the best idea.

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I've always found the best remedy for constipation is the most simple: Give them time. I've never heard of anyone giving axolotls peas to cure an ailment! I've heard of people giving them vegetables when they've run out of food, ending up with bad results although there may have been no connection, just coincidence. Don't quote me on anything though! I just can't get my head around why anyone would think "lets give my axolotl some carrot!" when their pallet is so varied, affordable and easy to source.

 

[esn]

Sorry, I made an assumption that the care advice was correct. I myself haven't treated constipation specifically in my own caudates, as the only times I've encountered it has been when receiving animals with even more severe fungal infections, in which case I treated the fungal infection first. Disregard my previous statement (I can no longer edit it). Though I still doubt peas would have any effect!

 

[jasper408]

I'm not sure how fridging an axolotl would relieve constipation. Usually a change in diet or more food will help. Cooling them down to the temperature of an average fridge will slow down their metabolism (which won't speed up the log dropping) and the drastic temperature change should be done very slowly and only for very sick animals as a last resort.

It seems like everyone on here agrees that fridging is a "cure all" for axolotls. From fungus, to annorexia, constipation or the heebie jeebies, it's really not the best idea.

I noticed the same thing, and wondered about the validity of fridging. Am I correct in guessing that in addition to a slow of metabolism, the cool temperatures inhibit bacterial and fungal growth, hence the recommendation?

 

[CJ1981]

I have not told the full story, the poor thing was in a bad way with really stunted gill growth, a missing limb and a fungal infection :sad: which was my main reason for suggesting the fridging etc, I was just being a bit lazy in my story telling hence my etc's.

The advice re: the peas was given specifically for the constipation, I had never come accross this remedy before and some Googling on my part found no other mention of it. I have used it historically for fish but could see no logic in using it for Axolotls and just wanted to see what other more experienced Axolotl keepers thought of it.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the axolotl in question is in fact impacted rather than just constipated due to it being kept on inappropriate substrate (first to guess it correctly wins a smiley of their choice ). The owner is also feeding solely on flake fish food due to this being 'less hassle'

I have reiterated to the owner that this site is the best source of info/advice/support but sadly they do not appear interested.

I didn't mean to start a debate about fridging, sorry everyone :-(

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

Why would they be interested? They feed their axolotls fish flakes, because going to that extra step further for some decent grub is "hassle". Whats difficult about popping at the very least a cube of bloodworm in a tank? Maybe trying to find effective ways of treating their poorly axolotl is "hassle" hence why they're not bothered about finding information from a reliable source - caudata is by far one of the most (if not the most!) reputable resources online for axolotl care, in my opinion. My answer is "If you can't be a*sed, don't even bother in the first place."

 

[tumptyteapot]

will they even eat fish flakes? it's hardly a bother to drop a cube of frozen bloodworm in the tank every now and then, poor axies

 

[Kaysie]

The theory behind fridging and constipation is that as the core body temperature drops, the animal attempts to rid itself of all products of digestion in order to keep them from rotting in the gut.