Is my axie suffering?

[ChloeB]

My axolotl has never been a big eater, and has been underweight frequently. I've always been worried about this and done all I could to check the water quality, temperature etc. etc.
A while ago I changed his diet from earthworms to bits of prawn (he was always pretty disinterested by the worms, but ate the prawns readily) and he finally started to gain weight and add some length to his gill stalks. Then several weeks ago he went off his food again and I noticed some fungus in his gills.

I began salt bathing him and also fridged him, because he was still underweight and I wanted him to lose as little as possible while he was stressed and off his food because of the fungus. He's been fridged now for about a month I think. Although clumps of the fungus have been coming off, one bit seems to have taken a really good hold and I can't tell if it's getting better or worse. My axolotl has also gotten terrifyingly thin. He seems permanently bent or curled in one direction, and rarely straightens out any more. I've notices the ends of some of his toes have become pale and translucent. Last night he started to swim after I put him back in the non-salt water (bad enough in itself!) and got stuck upside down. I carefully turned him right way up again. This morning he did the same thing.

He seems very distressed and I don't want him to suffer. Should I put him out of his misery (I thought freezing might be kindest, like toads I thought he might go to sleep before his body shuts down) or have people seen axolotls come back from a state as bad as this? Obviously I don't want to put the little guy down if he might get through it, I've grown very, very attached to him. I don't want him suffering, though.

 

[Minniechild]

First things first, freezing an axolotl is not an appropriate method of euthanasia. There's an article over on caudata culture (click the menu at the top of the screen) which outlines appropriate methods- but let's hope it doesn't get to that point and try to get him back on his feet first...

Secondly, could you post some pics of him? Ideally, we need them under good lights, from directly above, the right, the left, the front, underneath and close up on the fungal patch.

Thirdly, (after we've had a look at the pics), it may be an idea to start bringing him up out of the fridge to room temperature (do this by putting him in a cold bag with an ice brick, and leave him for 24 hours), and start feeding him up again if he's that underweight. Salt baths can be done at room temperature, it's just an axie's immune system is much more efficient at lower temperatures. Also, can you get someone to gently hold him in place and pull off some of the fungus?

Fourthly, good he's going for the shrimp, just double checking that you're washing the salt off and rinsing well in dechlorinated water? If we bring him back up to room temperature, it might be an idea to add in some other food sources to fatten him up a bit more- I'd suggest:
Worms (Not the red ones that are EVERYWHERE here, but the kind you find at a tackle shop, worth a shot to see if he'll take them after a long absence- also try and get the smallest ones possible),
blackworms- you can get these at many local fish shops, and are Absolutely delicious for axies- these you feed by sucking them up in a pipette (You can get a 6 pack for $6 from Riot) and squirting them right in front of his nose,
pellets- there's an axie specific one you can get around here with a bright yellow lid and a blue or purple sticker which my own axies love quite a bit, which is pretty good in terms of its nutritional values,
bloodworms-not as nutritionally complete as black or earth worms, but very delicious (or so my lot tell me), and good just to get SOMETHING into him,
kangaroo or beef heart - not something long-term, but possibly to get some fat onto his bones, and to be used in conjunction with the other suggestions (For those who are up in arms, at this point I'm thinking more in terms of getting protein into him and providing some small amount of fatty acids for his body to use- definitely not as a long-term dietary addition), also silk worms are good in that they have similar nutritional properties, though you will need to behead them...

I'd also suggest you AVOID frozen brine shrimp- from my own experiences, the australian ones are rarely in a state where axies like them (read: they're slightly off), and often the axie will puke them up just to get it out of their system, along with anything else they may have eaten- Additionally, no feeder fish- with his immune system under such stress already, the last thing he needs is dinner bringing with it a bug brigade.

Keep us up to date, okay? And keep your head up- you're doing the best you can, and I am CERTAIN that he's really grateful for it *hugs*

 

[ChloeB]

I will take some photos tomorrow morning when the light is better.

I was going to research euthanasia before I did it, I promise, I really hadn't looked in to it yet because that would make it a bit too frighteningly a reality (if that makes sense).

As for food, I have tried in the past to get a variety of food but have been hampered by not having a car - I rely on public transport to get around - and there being hardly any pet stores in places I can get to. The two that I have looked at (one with considerable difficulty getting to it) haven't had any axolotl-specific food and only earthworms for suitable live food. I guess I'll have to delve further into Google to find a decent store somewhere. That's part of the reason I liked using the prawn - I could buy it at the grocery store. Ah well, I'll have to put aside one day to go searching, I suppose.

Thanks for the support!

 

[Minniechild]

Fair enough- problem with prawns is they have all the gunk that's in the ocean in their very cells, which can be very not-good for your axie
I'd suggest typing live fish australia into google- one of the first links looks promising in terms of food sources etc, and definitely would be worth it to get him onto a more balanced diet to aid his recovery. Many stores deliver at quite reasonable rates, so have a look into that as a solution- don't put it off!

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I had a similar problem with a girl I rehomed, she was a terribly sickly axolotl but apposed to looking underweight, she was enormous! She ate twice in the 2 months I had her, had numerous fungal infections until finally an awful case of bloat all the while her tankmate was perfectly fine and still is to this day. Unfortunately I lost her a month ago, after weeks of searching for a vet that could treat her I really hope this won't be the case with your little one as I was devastated. Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[Bellabelloo]

You can also offer slivers of fresh water fish.

 

[ChloeB]

Sorry for the delay with the photos. I had left my phone (my only camera) at a friends house so I had to wait until I could get it back.
I... think I've attached them? (I'm not really used to these forums yet) Tell me what you think.

Thanks for pointing me towards live fish. I didn't even think of delivery!

 

[Olivia97]

My axolotl didn't look much different to yours only about 2 months ago, He is very very skinny. Has he eaten lately?

 

[axolotl newbie]

Here is a post about force feeding. I think I would be considering it at this stage.

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...olotl/70199-how-force-feed-adult-axolotl.html

 

[Olivia97]

I just thought I'd show you a photo of my axolotl. He was in a bad way and I thought he was gone, but now he's stacked on the weight and in a new tank there's still hope x

 

[gfsward]

I'm agreeing with Anna. That axie needs some food fast! Even though your axie doesn't like earthworms too much, I'd go that route since worms have all the right nutrients. I hope your axie gets better. Keep us updated.

 

[ChloeB]

I slowly brought him back up to room temperature yesterday, tried to get him to eat and even force fed him, but unfortunately it was all too much for the poor little guy and he died :'(

Thank you all for the support and advice. I hope that your own axolotls (and other pets) are all healthy and happy.

 

[Olivia97]

My heart goes out to you Chloe <3

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I slowly brought him back up to room temperature yesterday, tried to get him to eat and even force fed him, but unfortunately it was all too much for the poor little guy and he died :'(

Thank you all for the support and advice. I hope that your own axolotls (and other pets) are all healthy and happy.

So sorry to hear that Chloe but you really can't blame yourself as you did every you could to help him. I know from experience that sometimes you can give it your all and still not have the outcome you hope for, best wishes.