Impacted juvenile

[texa]

After loosing one of my axies in March to septicaemia, I wasn't really thinking about getting another, however I have found myself caring for a small juvenile that has really had it rough.
My colleague (I work in a LFS), notified me that another store had the axolotl on gravel, at 26 degrees C, and in the company of four great big silver sharks. Safe to say I have adopted the little thing (paid no money), but it is severely impacted with gravel.
It's been in the fridge maybe 3 days now, and has passed a single large stone, but I think there are far more to come, the belly is pretty bloated considering the shop said that it only ate 'occasionally'.
Is there anything I can do to help it pass more gravel? I've been trying to coax it into eating live and blanched earth worms, and am going to try live bloodworm this evening.
Any advice would be great, I've never had to treat an axie for impaction before, and am just really sad that the poor thing is suffering because of ignorance!

 

[AxolotlChris]

If the Axolotl is not under weight then fridging will be the best option. The cold temperature will help excrete any gravel. It could take nearly a week to excrete it all, if not longer but this depends on the size of the Axolotl as to how much gravel could be ingested.

How old/small is the juvenile? fridging young juveniles is done with caution and not often advised. What temperature is the fridge set too?

I would not feed while fridging when trying to excrete stones/gravel. I'm sure none of us would like to digest a meal with a huge stone in our digestive tract.

Upload some pictures from various angles.

 

[texa]

Hi Chris, thanks for the reply.

The shop had no idea how old it is, but it had been in those conditions for 2 months since it arrived at there.

I say juvenile, but its around 16cm long, seems very small compared to my adult but I suppose it could be around 9 months old- very much guessing!

I wasn't sure about feeding while fridging, so I'll stop for now. It does show interest, but I guess the cold temperature and gravel will not be helping its appetite. The fridge sits at 6 degrees C, and I'm following the fridging guide closely so I do everything right!

Pictures to follow

 

[auntiejude]

When an axie is impacted it needs both feeding and fridging. So you need to alternate - 2 days in the fridge, then let him warm up and feed him well for 3 days, then back in the fridge etc.
At 6 inches I'd say an axie was 6-8 months old.

 

[texa]

Many thanks auntie jude, I took the little one out earlier today, and will follow your advice with 2 days in and 3 days out.

There wasn't much interest in food tonight, tried live bloodworms then a small earthworm, but I'll keep trying.

I've attached some pictures, I think its overall condition is actually quite good considering. The third and first picture very faintly show a slight bump on the right of the flank, I think this could be an indication of gravel. The LFS was feeding bloodworm on the gravel too, do you think I should continue the fridging process since I've only seen one pebble passed?

 

[texa]

Starting to get pretty worried now, it hasn't eaten since I picked it up from the shop, and I'm starting to think that it may not have fed in much longer.

I'm currently doing the 2 days in and 3 days out schedule, trying feeding every day. It seems to be floating most of the time, even while being chilled. No more stones have been passed, but I can still see bumps in the stomach.

I've tried blanched and live earthworms, live and frozen bloodworms, pieces of smelt, and axolotl pellets, but to no avail. I don't want it to starve to death, but while its full of gravel there's nothing I can do to convince it to eat. Would it be worth speaking to a vet?

 

[AxolotlChris]

I would look for a vet that can deal with Axolotls asap, best to be prepared as it may not be impaction causing the bulge.

 

[Donna001]

I have attached a link to a site for finding specialist vets. I hope it helps.
Herp Veterinarians
Best of luck.

 

[texa]

Thanks both, I found a great vet experienced in axolotls when my Rosie came down with septicaemia, so I'll give them a phone.

Meanwhile, I'm fridging for another 2 days, then I'm going to divide my big tank and see if some settled time in a place with lots of cover and the right conditions can coax it to eat a little.

 

[texa]

Just keeping everyone updated on how things are going.

I've been corresponding with my vet via email to save transporting the wee one into the surgery and further stressing him. Vet recommends allowing him to settle and de-stress a little in my big tank, and keep trying with food for now. He says he could x-ray to check for gravel/ trapped gas, but even if we see it, there's still the challenge of getting it out!

Still no eating, he almost seems tempted by raw prawn pieces, but no actual eating as of yet. He is chronically floating, totally unable to reach the bottom, so I've put some floating plants and elodea on the surface to try make sure he has some cover. The rear end is most floaty, and the belly very bloated considering he hasn't eaten in over 15 days.

I'm really trying my best, I'll maybe try re-fridging in another week or so, but otherwise I'm just worried he's not going to pull through in the end. Any more advice/ suggestions I would really appreciate, thank you all for your help so far!

 

[Donna001]

You are doing very well in such a difficult situation.
I would also be tempted to have another go at fridging, and I would also be a little concerned that floating in the large tank may be causing some stress, but I could be completely wrong as I am not experienced with these sorts of situations.
I'm sure that the more experienced keepers will be back to offer you advice soon.
I just wanted to offer some moral support and say that I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and your axolotl.

 

[texa]

Thanks so much Donna, but there is really sad news. I found the little one dead today after work, stomach terribly bloated.

I think the pressure got too much and maybe the internal organs were damaged. There were also still stones in the stomach and gut, so overall a really horrible picture.

The store have received pictures of what happens when you don't keep animals in the proper conditions they need.

I really thank everyone who commented, this forum is brilliant and I appreciate all the help.

RIP little one

 

[LoriML]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for trying so hard for him. Poor little thing.

 

[Donna001]

So sorry to hear your sad news.
You did everything that you could to help your little one. It's such a shame that some stores don't understand the requirements of the animals that they sell, and even more of a shame that people like yourself, who care deeply, are left with the aftermath.
My thoughts are with you.