HE ESCAPED

[stephanie]

I have no idea how, but my fire bellied newt escaped sometime today. I do'nt know when, I've been gone all day. I took out all the rocks and ornaments and stuff and he's not in there and I looked all over the floor in the room the tank is in. The bad thing is I have a dog and I'm scared she ate him. Any tips on how to find a newt? How long can they live out of the water, and if my dog ate him (she's about 8 pounds) will she die? Or get sick?

 

[pin-pin]

Hi Stephanie,

Leaving little dishes of water, damp paper towels, etc. near dark corners (like under your bed) may help to keep the little lost newt hydrated, but often it's difficult to find them. Keep looking, try looking in dark, covered places, where it may go in hopes of safety.

I'd keep your dog outside of your newt room, it's likely that your newt went into a dark area. See http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/newt_toxins.shtml if you are interested in newt toxins.

Observable symptoms of human (and probably dog) tetrodotoxin poisoning include:

- paralysis (first in face and extremities, then throughout the body)
- diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Convulsions
- Death

Might want to keep your dog on a short leash and away from the room for awhile.

 

[rickard]

Don't know if this helps, but once a Cynops orientalis escaped its tank and was nowhere to be found. A month later i found it dead under my dogs bead. My dog is smallish(a shiba inu) and showed no symptoms of poisoning.
My conclusion to this: the dog picked it up, carried it to its bead and then dropped it. Lesson learned, I always make sure my tanks are escape proof(for the sake of the newts and my dog).
---
Rickard

 

[stephanie]

Thanks for the tips on the water dishes. I couldn't sleep for very long last night (I worry too much) so I kept searching the rooms in my basement every few hours. Then I gave up and went to sleep and when I woke up, my newt was in one of the water dishes safe and sound. I couldn't be more relieved. Thanks again SO much for the help.

 

[jennifer]

Wow, that's great! I've heard of people finding lost newts, but never one that actually got into a water dish. This article might help you keep him in:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/escape.shtml

 

[edward]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but Rickard how old is your Shiba? I have two (both rescues) a ten year old female and a three year old male. Here is a picture of my wife trimming nails (note the shirt).

 

[rickard]

Hi Ed!
She is seven years old and still going strong. A special dog with a special mind....