Part frozen axolotl

[Cosmo]

I really need urgent advice- I left my axolotl with my cousin for 3 weeks while we were away and they decided to brighten up his tank and added stones. During the 3 weeks they didn't feed him much and he ate the stones- his tummy was really bloated and he was floating when I got him back. So I decided to fridge him in the hope he would pass the stones. He was in the fridge for 1 day and when I was at work the power went off- the fridge reset (it's digital) when the power returned and set to original settings much colder than what we had changed it to. I got home to find my axolotl completely frozen in a block of ice- with only a small area around his head chest and front arms not frozen. His tail and back legs were frozen. I panicked and ran water over it all until all of the ice was gone. I took him straight to the local vet who said just wait and see what happens... That was 2 days ago. He skin seemed to peel off his legs and tail and he can't move them or at least doesn't appear to, he passed 3 small stones but still has a bloated stomach. I am devastated that this has happened and don't know what to do next and the vet isn't helpful at all and says there's nothing they can do.

 

[HayleyK]

Unfortunately there's not much you can do but hope all is okay. Running it under water could've made the matter worse as it would be a temperature shock. I think having him in a tub of cool, fresh, dechlorinated water with correct temperatures and plenty of food will help but like I said there's not much you can do... Keep an eye out for fungus.

 

[Cosmo]

Thank you, Should I keep feeding him with a bloated stomach??

 

[Sweetie]

This is one of the most horrifying stories I have ever read. You must be SO freaked out. I really do feel your panic and your pain. Hang in there. I don't think running cold water over it made it worse either. It was the obvious reaction under the circumstances.
Something to soothe his skin and restore his slime coat may be appropriate. Indian almond leaves would be good, and would also offer some protection against fungal attack. There are also things like Prime that include aloe vera to help with the slime coat.
I cannot advise on the feeding issue, though logically, light feeding of something easily digestable if he is interested and given that he is trying to heal would seem the right course of action.
He may be okay - I have read that freezing axies is not an appropriate way to euthanise them because they can survive being frozen for up to two days. If this is even half true, your little man must have a chance.
Good luck, and please keep us posted.
PS What a warning about digital fridges in these days of increasingly uncertain power supply! I have added a post to the Fridging sticky to alert others to this appalling danger.

 

[Skudo09]

Give him time and as Sweetie said, some Indian almond leaves might help soothe the skin. Earthworms make the best staple diet for axolotls and are good for helping constipation and impaction. I would maybe offer him an earthworm but at the lower temperatures and the stress of being partly frozen he may not be interested in food. Keep offering though. Keep us posted on how he goes.

 

[ladygodiva35]

Omgshhhh that is so scary! I'd be freaking out but that sounds like something my fridge would do if I stuck an axie in there. It always freezes my drinks in there. That for sure is the most craziest thing to happen that I've read and I'd like to see how your little one is doing so keep us updated on the situation!

 

[Jonjey]

Wow, I'm so sorry that this happened. Do you have any pics?

 

[Sweetie]

How is your lotl progressing? Please give us an update. I always fear for the worst when people are silent after posting a problem.