Illness/Sickness: HELP - Rescued Axie from pet shop with Nitrates OFF THE CHART!

[FX1C]

HELP!

I just rescued an Axolotl from Local Fish Shop - they gave it to me free - it was floating on the top of the tank / arched & veiny / barely any gills & mouth slightly open I asked the owner about it & offered to take it to care for it - he bagged it up & gave it to me free.

Once home I put some aged dechlorinated water in a tuppaware container popped in the axie & tried to give it a worm - not interested
I've put him/her into the fridge as the tank at the fish shop would've been 28+ as its a pretty hot day here.

I thought I'd test the water that was in the bag from the shop (shop is 2mins away from home so axie wasn't in there for long!) I was pretty shocked to find the nitrate was as dark if not darker than the highest colour on the chart.

Ph 6.8
Ammonia between 0.25-0.50 ppm
Nitrate higher than 160 ppm

So here's hoping this guy can get better with a bit of TLC.

Please advise what I should do apart from the fridging as per sticky topic & water changes with cool water. (Already in a container in fridge ready for changes) I'm not sure fridging is necessary to heal - so once the heat is over maybe he could just go into a clean water bare bottom tank as a temporary hospital tank not in the fridge.

Here's some pics









Oh & of course he was kept on gravel at the pet shop poor bubbie -

my house is starting to resemble a zoo!
(Sorry I've been posting so much lately!)



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[EmbryH]

First off, while your axie is chilling in the fridge, send that pet shop a very strongly worded letter of complaint about how you don't treat living things like that. I'd honestly say that if they still have animals in poor condition like that in a few weeks, report them to the proper authority.

I've never dealt with an axolotl in that kind of health, but it sounds like the best you can do right now is keep doing what you're doing and wait. Maybe after it's been able to relax in some water that won't kill it, it might regain some small appetite and eat. I think that if you can get him to eat and pass excrement, he'll pull through.

If he doesn't eat in a few days, you might want to consider trying to force feed him? I've never done that myself, but I've seen mention of it here. Again, never done that before so if you don't know how already, be sure to research how to do it safely.

The best I can say is keep him in good water and try to feed him, and if you have the time and the money, get him to a vet for additional advice and possible medicine.

 

[FX1C]

I was going to call the shop in the morning & let them know about the nitrate - sadly I've watched the axies at this shop & have repeatedly asked them to at least remove the gravel - they didn't.

Today when I saw this one floating - 5 other adults all in same tank seemed OK not great but not floating or showing signs like this one YET! But the tank was at least 28C - quite warm to the touch

Then my husband noticed another tank with about 20 juveniles - I'd say 3mths most with limbs missing & all with short gills & of course on gravel! I asked the owner to please remove the gravel urgently, he said he'd ask the supplier - the shop owner then went on to tell me that the babies were more tolerant to warmer water because they've been raised in QLD! I will post about this later as I am so annoyed but I need to stay calm so I can find out who the supplier is - then..... 0.0 a few phone calls emails - who knows - but I'll work on a plan of attack for the axies sake!





<3 >o_o< <3

 

[EmbryH]

WHAT THE ACTUAL EXPLETIVE??!!! Juvies in WARMER WATER? And that's somehow OK????


CURSIVE, that makes it difficult for me to observe this forum's rules on appropriate language. Kindly tell that man he's an idiot! Show him any kind of BASIC axolotl owner's manual! I mean what the actual BLEHHHHH!!

 

[FX1C]

WHAT THE ACTUAL EXPLETIVE??!!! Juvies in WARMER WATER? And that's somehow OK????


CURSIVE, that makes it difficult for me to observe this forum's rules on appropriate language. Kindly tell that man he's an idiot! Show him any kind of BASIC axolotl owner's manual! I mean what the actual BLEHHHHH!!

It makes me so f'ing red faced mad!

I feel like some kind of crazy axolotl woman now (Simpsons crazy cat lady) when I try explaining the very BASICS of caring for axolotls - I mean, I never really wanted to own an axolotl at all - always thought they were cute but always thought they'd be difficult to look after - until an egg hitchhiked home on a plant & now I'm such a fan of their little faces & personalities - they're magical alien creatures. So I feel I have to speak for them - I'm going to print out a few of the care sheets & keep them in my bag to give to the shops (sadly I think they'll laugh at me & throw it out - but 3 strikes & I will be ringing the RSPCA!)

The little guy in the fridge seems so much happier - no longer arched & every time I peek under the towel (every 30 mins) he turns around & seems to be looking at me as if to say thanks

I hadn't intended on keeping the fridge guest - but it's been 3hrs & I'm already in wuv with that widdle face - if he can be made healthy he can stay & be a happy axie here



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[EmbryH]

I think if you can help him pull through, he'll turn out to be a very handsome boy

 

[FX1C]

I think if you can help him pull through, he'll turn out to be a very handsome boy

Is it a boy??

My others are too young to know what sex they are yet - regardless of what sex this new one is its very welcome to stay - cant help but fall for that face & smile



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[EmbryH]

The 6th picture makes me think it's a male. Of course, it might just be because of what sad shape the poor guy is in, but if you look at the base of his tail it looks like he's blooming into manhood.

Also, were it not for the second picture, I never would have thought he was a leucistic, but it does appear that he is. And like I said, if you can get him healthy, he'll be a very pretty one at that.

Looking at his body, though, do you think there's a chance he might be morphing?

 

[FX1C]

The 6th picture makes me think it's a male. Of course, it might just be because of what sad shape the poor guy is in, but if you look at the base of his tail it looks like he's blooming into manhood.

Also, were it not for the second picture, I never would have thought he was a leucistic, but it does appear that he is. And like I said, if you can get him healthy, he'll be a very pretty one at that.

Looking at his body, though, do you think there's a chance he might be morphing?

On the subject of morphing -
I fear it is / has started to morph
What on earth do you do with one if it is morphing & how do you tell??

If more pictures are needed I'm happy to provide them.

I want this little guys suffering to stop & I'll do anything it takes - I'm just going to need some guidance on this.



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[AxieMama]

Poor lil guy . If anyone can pull him through I'm sure it's you Nikki xo. Best of luck. What store was it? I'm heading up to Sydney next week..I'm tempted to pay a visit

 

[FX1C]

Poor lil guy . If anyone can pull him through I'm sure it's you Nikki xo. Best of luck. What store was it? I'm heading up to Sydney next week..I'm tempted to pay a visit

Thanks for your vote of confidence -
But I've got my 'L' plates on, driven on by wanting to do the right thing by any animal - it's backwards for me because normally I don't take anything on without proper research & a decent understanding, the axies make me feel like I've been blindfolded & spun around was not ready for an aquarium addiction all blamed on an egg
My husband thinks it's hilarious & thankfully is putting up with no kitchen bench space / buckets of water aging in the hall & now a monster tank in the backyard.

Sadly the fish shop is highly recommended & they are awesome with all the other fish just not the axies - it's a really hard one as I've visited most aquarium shops around sydney & they're normally good with advice just not axolotls - I'm not going to name them publicly YET - but if they don't start doing the right thing then I'll have to contact RSPCA etc.

But a hint would be they're the nearest fish shop to where I live. MSG me if you have to know - just to save you the visit.

When are you in sydney? If you'd like to meet up for a coffee let me know - its be great to meet another axie freak
I mean fan! lol



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[FX1C]

Some more pics

He's so lovely - always turns around to look at me from the fridge when I peek in on him <3 nawwwww

I'm sure this yawn was a thank you


Tried to get closer shots of head & body to see if others think it could be morphing.









<3 >o_o< <3

 

[FX1C]

I asked this on the fridging guide.
Does the lid on container need to have holes in it? Currently the lid is just sitting on the container with the digital thermometer wire coming out (so a slight gap) then all covered in tea towels. Water 9.5degC & he's swimming around a little & popping head up for air. He hasn't been floating at all since the water change & his back doesn't seem so arched - hoping these are all good signs..

Thanks everyone for your help on this one!



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[Loobylou]

He doesn't look to me like he's morphing, but he is in a bit of a bad way poor little thing! Have you tried some almond leaves in his pot to help his skin? It's amazing the excuses some pet shop have. One near me tried to tell me that they're fine in warm water, he was like 'They're from Mexico, duh!'.

 

[Bellabelloo]

You should be fine with out any holes in the lid, but I personally would add a few

I have read that green tea baths may help with the possible nitrate poisoning.

 

[FX1C]

You should be fine with out any holes in the lid, but I personally would add a few

I have read that green tea baths may help with the possible nitrate poisoning.

Can you tell me more about the green tea if possible please... Would the steeping be best with cold or hot water infusion? & what strengths & quantity of tea to water etc - I'm such a noob :-/

I'm pleased you think he's not morphing. That would an awful outcome - I'll see if we can bring him back to being a healthy poppit soon - lots of TLC available in this house (my hubby taped the fridge light without me knowing or asking him too - he just smiled & said its a hospital at the moment such a softie!)

I've also looked at finding almond leaves too & was about to ask if they'd be any help - it seems ebay is a good source (do fish shops sell them too?)
How do these work? Which water do I put them in & do you need a new leaf with every water change or can they be transferred each time?
sorry for the million & one questions



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[CJ1981]

The poor poor little poppet, he looks sunburnt! It's just a shame locking the shop owner in a sunbed overnight would be illegal It would be a lesson he never forgot!

Re almond leaves, try doing a search of this forum, lots has been written about them. Perhaps someone with some experience could produce a user guide for them that could them be 'stickied'?

Re Green tea, I know for black tea baths you steep in hot dechlorinated water then leave to cool to the same temp as the tank/tub (i.e. put it in the fridge) before watering it down again with same temp dechlorinated water, I would guess that Green tea would be the same process. Again search this forum - much as been written.

I and my Axies have our collective fingers and toes crossed for him/her.

 

[FX1C]

The poor poor little poppet, he looks sunburnt! It's just a shame locking the shop owner in a sunbed overnight would be illegal It would be a lesson he never forgot!

Re almond leaves, try doing a search of this forum, lots has been written about them. Perhaps someone with some experience could produce a user guide for them that could them be 'stickied'?

Re Green tea, I know for black tea baths you steep in hot dechlorinated water then leave to cool to the same temp as the tank/tub (i.e. put it in the fridge) before watering it down again with same temp dechlorinated water, I would guess that Green tea would be the same process. Again search this forum - much as been written.

I and my Axies have our collective fingers and toes crossed for him/her.

Update for the morning...

Checked his fridge home this morning & temp was 6.5C he's quiet & not floating or arched, there was some green algae like vomit on surface, no poop, no interest in eating but thankfully he's not skinny. Redness of skin seems a little better & after 100% water change he's back in the fridge.

I've been reading up on the black tea bath on Caudata.com & I'm now thinking that I could pop him into a small tank (still with 100% changes uncycled) not in the fridge & add some black tea to the water mix as per directions online.

Once again I would ask the experts here as to what they think the best measure is for this little guy. Currently my axie tank is around 19-21 (aircon saving them from heat wave)

I'm about to take the rescued clown fish 'Shark Bait' to a marine specialist shop so once his temp tank is clear I'll scrub it & rinse it ready for the little fridge axie - I think his name is going to end up Spook or Boo because every time I peek he's there going Boo such a sweet little guy <3 peek a boo



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[MearWolf]

This really sickens me to the core to see any animal treated like this.
Personally, I would definitely go to the authorities.

Please keep us updated

 

[AlienFirefox]

I rescued an axie from the pet shop aswell. It wasn't quite that bad but its gills have never grown back properly and its lost a lot of its colour. It has however survived and it has been a year. So I think it will live but its going to have a bad run. Luckily axies are quite hardy. It pisses me off how badly pet shops treat there animals.