Help! Axolotl jumped out of her cage!! Second opinion on vet recommendation please!

[mifuneaxie]

Here are some new pictures. I'm wondering if I should try and pull that fuzzy stuff off her tail? It's either skin or lint that was so stuck to her tail I couldn't get it off before, it's hard to tell. But I don't want to hurt her by trying to pull it off.

Also, since she doesn't move really, how do I know she is still alive? Her color? I was thinking if she looses color then that's bad, but then again she's in the fridge so everything's a little weird. I just put her in a new bowl and she didn't move at all when I did. I thought a saw a gill flicker, but it could of been my imagination, and I wanted to get her back in the dark fridge quickly.

 

[bayhicoach]

First, stop picking at her. I understand that you're anxious but your constant harassment might actually cause her death. She has been severely traumatized and you need to allow her time to recover. I think you are doing the best that you can do in this situation.

As to the question dead or alive - aquatic creatures degrade very quickly and even just a little less so when being chilled. You won't be wondering if she's dead for more than a couple of hours after she actually passes away.

 

[Kaysie]

When I see fungus, I try to GENTLY suck it off with a turkey baster. If it doesn't come off with GENTLE tugging, then leave it be and try again the next day.

 

[melfly]

Any news??

Mel

 

[joeysgreen]

I'm disagreeing with the keeping in the fridge. I would return to optimal temperatures. Yes, the fridge slows bacterial growth, but it also slows the metabolism of your axolotl. This means it slows the healing process, the desire to eat; everything. It's like hibernating an ill animal. Not normally recommended, so I'm amiss as to why it is the general recommendation here? Please fill me in as I'm new to this particular community.

 

[Opacum]

Could the axie have bailed from your tank due to a spike in ammonia? I'm wondering if there wasn't some type of chemistry change to warrant the escape. Did your Ph start to bottom out? Maybe the redness is due to ammonia burn and now secondary problems are starting to manifest? I do agree with trying to make the axie comfortable in more familiar surroundings. I can't imagine how stressed it must be, even with a slowed metabolism due to cooling in the fridge. Let nature help heal her. If it were me I would try to get it back in your tank ASAP, especially if she is getting worse. I would just make sure the conditions were pristine. And be mindful that your tank is probably going to recycle a tad now that the big ammonia maker has been removed. I'm with Joeysgreen on this one...

 

[Kaysie]

Joey, the point of refrigeration is that axolotls are 1.) more comfortable at lower temperatures. They will still eat and poop down into the 40F's. I've actually (accidentally) had tubs with axolotls skim over with ice, and they were just fine. And 2.) most bacteria and fungi will not thrive at those low temperatures, allowing the axolotl's immune system to more easily battle whatever is afflicting it. In the wild, axolotls inhabit glacial filled lakes, so they're no stranger to cold water.