Illness/Sickness: HELP!!! Axolotl with symptoms of constipation.

[LionHart]

Help! I was looking at my Golden albino yesterday and noticed he has an enlarged cloaca.
I confirmed it was this based on a picture i found in the axolotl sanctuary section of this site. it says that it happens because they try to digest gravel in the tank! I am removing the gravel tonight and am looking to put in sand instead. can anybody tell me what type of sand is best and is there anything i can do to help the little guy in the meantime!?

 

[AxolotlChris]

Put your Axolotl in a separate tub of cool declorinated water, change the water 100% everyday and see if he can pass the gravel. It is probably worth putting him in the fridge, this slows metabolism and will help with healing and passing the gravel. Use this guide to fridge your Axolotl: http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-beginner-newt-salamander-axolotl-help-topics/f48-axolotls-ambystoma-mexicanum/f58-sick-axolotl/85263-axolotl-fridging-guide.html

My friend used gravel once, after helping take all the gravel out they were passing gravel constantly, months later we still find the odd bits of gravel every now and then.

For information on substrates read these links:
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates
Axolotls - Housing in Captivity

 

[AxolotlChris]

Do you test your water for ammonia, nitrites, nitrAtes, and PH?

 

[LionHart]

Thsnks for the advise mate. I have taken a water sample from my tank to be tested and everything is perfect except the ammonia witch is slightly high, I have been advised to do a 15% water change. im going to do this tonight.

I am also going to try the fridge treatment ill let you know how it goes thanks again mate.

 

[AxolotlChris]

What were the readings from the test? Don't trust pet/aquatic stores as the have a tendency to say everything is fine when its not or use inaccurate testing kits.

You should purchase yourself this liquid test kit: Welcome to API Fishcare: FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT

What PPM was the Ammonia?

 

[LionHart]

He didn't give me readings in the numerical sense, he put some water in tubes and they came up different colours after adding different chemicals?

Can I get that test kit via the link or do I hunt one down?

 

[AxolotlChris]

Shame he didn't give you the results, well hopefully its okay since it seems he used a liquid test kit.

Grab that kit off Amazon, its not expensive. Always nicer to be able to test things your self then you have control of getting the correct data!

 

[xxianxx]

how old is it ? an enlarged clocea can be a sign of breeding.

 

[LionHart]

I've just placed an order on that kit mate.

I'm not sure to be fair they are 5-6" long if that helps?

 

[AxolotlChris]

Don't think he'd be sexually mature at that size, but you never know! Try the fridge and see if he passes any gravel, my friend thought his Axolotls were fine on gravel and when one got fungus and was in isolation loads of gravel came out!

 

[xxianxx]

it could be an adult at that size if it wasnt fed much as a juvy, males can be sexable from eight months, have you a pic ?

 

[xxianxx]

should have been five months not eight.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Was your Axolotl okay in the end?

Did you manage to get the gravel out of the tank?

How did you get on with your new test kit?