Illness/Sickness: Malnourished axolotl full of worms ; trying to find a solution

[afmtgn]

Hello,

I have obtained a starved, injured and skinny axolotl. His previous owner couldn’t handle it anymore; he can only be feed with tweezers and was often sick. The previous owner obtained him from somebody that wasn’t very good with axolotls. It led me to think that the axolotl wasn’t well cared for since his birth.

The axolotl is a 2-years-old male cooper, who measures around 15 centimeters. I obtained him yesterday, and let him with nothing to eat during 24 hours. He is on a big Tupperware with water changed daily, and I feed him beef heart today. He ate well, and didn’t puke anything at the moment. He is very active for a sick axolotl. It has worms I think; its stools are white and stringy. He is missing a hand and is mouth is strangely shaped (always open in a big triangle).

Picture :
http://i.imgbox.com/DsnGgPtJ.jpg

Here is his known medical background:

- 6 March 2015: worms and anorexia, treated with Flagyl and force-feeding.
- 18 August 2015: pimple on the left side, worms on the gills, treated with Baytril, Flagyl, salt baths, and electrolytic bath
- 14 September 2015: still pimple on the side, treated with Baytril
- 22 september 2015: operated to take off the pimple
- 24 September 2015: abscess on the head, treated with methylene blue until pierced.

I would want to know your advice on him, and if you have any better ideas than Flagyl for intestinal worms. It seems to not work on this one.

I am thinking about buying some Epsom salt to put on his water, and to make him put on weight, before trying any other harsh treatment on him.

What are your thoughts, your ideas for making this axolotl better?

 

[Donna001]

I would suggest that you stop feeding beef heart and change him on to earthworms/nightcrawler, as these are the best diet for axolotls.

You will need to ensure that the water that he is in is perfect as far as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and temperature levels are concerned.

How do you know that he has worms?
Another cause of white poop could be fat in his diet from the beef heart.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...ck-axolotl/84239-axolotls-poop-has-white.html

I'm not a very experienced keeper, but I would certainly check water parameters and change his diet to earthworms immediately. This may actually resolve part of the problem, and help your axolotl to put on some weight.

The more experienced keepers will also be able to help and will post advice for you.

In the mean time I would just like to say that it is very good of you to take on an axolotl that has problems. It is a kind person who helps a poorly animal, even knowing that it will take a lot of effort. I hope that we can offer you advice and support to ensure that your axolotl recovers and has a happy life with you. :happy:

 

[afmtgn]

He don't eat worms, he put them on its mouth and spite them... and he don't eat pellets either, it is too little to be given to him by tweezers. I only feed him beefheart today, as it was the only food he wasn't picky about. Perhaps he thinks he is some kind of big terrestrial carnivore. When he will be fattier, I won't be afraid to starve him a bit to make him accept other foods... he will eat earthworms, one day or another !

I will try to find some food that are not too fat for him tomorrow, but I am running out of ideas!

The white stool couldn't be because of fat in its food, since he wasn't feed in his previous house. I can only think of mucus and parasites. Or, his previous owner lied to me, and feed him something fatty.

I think he has worms because he is treated for worms since march 2015. His previous owner also said to me that he think this axolotl has still worms. He even gave me some Flagyl... does he think, or does he know ?? And, the axolotl seems to have diarrehea. I will take a picture if its stools are still like that.

The parameters are good, the temperature too. I watch him closely.

I like challenges, and a life is a life. The previous owner wouldn't take care of him anymore because he was too picky. I don't think it should be a reason for putting down an animal.

Thank you for your help !

 

[Donna001]

I hope that we can help you with your axolotl.
I'm sure that the more experienced keepers will have some ideas. :happy:

 

[herpvet]

I think he has worms because he is treated for worms since march 2015. His previous owner also said to me that he think this axolotl has still worms. He even gave me some Flagyl... does he think, or does he know ?? And, the axolotl seems to have diarrehea. I will take a picture if its stools are still like that.

The parameters are good, the temperature too. I watch him closely.

I like challenges, and a life is a life. The previous owner wouldn't take care of him anymore because he was too picky. I don't think it should be a reason for putting down an animal.

Thank you for your help !

Hello,

A couple of points which I hope might help. First off, flagyl doesn't treat worms. At all. It treats certain bacteria and protozoa. Nothing you noted down in his history as having been given treats worms.

Having said that, you need to actually test if he has worms, with a faecal check. It's not clear if he's been to a vet, but it certainly sounds like he should be taken to a vet for proper diagnosis of any problem(s) so that appropriate medication can be given.

Hope this helps,

Bruce