Maybe constipation? Maybe something else?

[orbis]

My boyfriend just sent me a picture of his axolotl, it looks like his cloaca is pretty swollen. He's usually rather.. well endowed in that area, but it's definitely more swollen looking than usual. I'm guessing it's constipation, he says he doesn't remember the last time he pooped but that it could have been over a week ago. He's in a 20 gallon long with a sand substrate and is fed worms. I asked and he seems to be acting normally, in these pictures he is in what my boyfriend described as the "poop position". Up until now he's appeared to be in good health! Not quite a year old, he's from a group of eggs I raised that hatched last October.

This is the first time I've dealt with an axolotl health issue and I wanted to get a second opinion, we're planning on getting a container and putting him in the fridge tomorrow.

 

[RG]

Looks more like a bacterial infection. His gills are not very big too may also be caused by bacteria.
Keeping cool can help.
If he has eaten from the bottom (white gravel) you have a big problem.


I do not know much ask others for their opinion

 

[auntiejude]

The coarse sand shouldn't pose too much of a problem for a fully grown axie. But that is a classic 'need to poop' pose - swollen cloaca, legs up.
Can you do a water change using quite cold water? A lot of axies poop after a water change and a bit of cleaning.