Hi mhans002,
That definitely looks acute. My differential diagnoses are bacterial scepticaemia (such as "red leg"), blood blisters (haematoma), clotting/platelet disorders, localised herniation, physical trauma, genetic based developmental defects, haemoperitoneum (blood accumulation in the abdominal cavity) or even a combination. One common thing they share, they all rather critical and i would consider an emergency.
I am glad you quarantined and isolated this axie to prevent transmission of anything contagious. I would recommend you try to contact a herp vet in your area as soon as possible for a diagnostic work up and treatment.
Meanwhile, i would recommend fridging. Fridging your axie will destress it, boost its immune system and render harmful pathogens (both bacterial and fungal) less viable.
- Set your fridge to about 5 degree celsius.
- Put your axie in a container large enough to allow it to stretch its limbs and tail comfortably.
- Fill with fresh dechlorinated water enough to submerge it but not allowing it to float.
- Cover with a lid. You can use a perforated lid or netting to prevent it jumping out.
- Use a tea towel to cover it to keep the environment dark.
- Perform 100% water changes daily with clean dechlorinated water.
- Check water parameters - ammonia, nitrites, nitrates
- You can pre prepare bottles of water in the fridge.
- Continue to offer a variety of nutritious food daily. Try live wriggly food like blackworms, bloodworms, earthworms. You can also try the usual pellet, offer treats of shrimp and fish etc. Otherwise you can also blend everything in a food processor and then roll the resultant mash into a pea sized ball to try offer your axie. Remove uneaten food within 20 min.
http://www.caudata.org/axolotl-sanctuary/Fridging.shtml
Try to rush your axie to a vet as soon as you can. Avoid delays. Hope everything works out.
Cheers.
