REALLY bloated! Is he going to die?? See pic! Please help!

[Velaria]

OK, I need help!

This axie has had problems almost from the beginning. When he was approximately three months old, I noticed that his limbs were developing improperly. His front legs are very short, and there are no distinguishable fingers. His hind limbs are almost nonexistant, being just very tiny little stumps, and you can only see them if you look very closely. Here is a photo of him when he was younger:

.

A couple of people recommended euthanasia, but I didn't have the heart to do it. I figured that I would just keep him as a pet and allow him to live as good of a life as possible.

About two weeks ago, I noticed that he was a little bit "fatter" than the rest of my axies. I knew that he didn't have air trapped in his stomach because he was not floating upside down or anything. I was out of town for a couple of weeks (my sister took care of my axies while I was away), and I just returned a few days ago to find him in the condition in which you see him now! His entire midsection seems to be filled with fluid!

I am 100% positive that he is filled with liquid, not air. He is not floating at all, he is eating well, and he seems to be happy enough, but honestly, I'm afraid that his stomach is going to burst open!!!!

He is approximately five months old now. His limb development seems to have come to a halt, and I'm wondering if his fluid retention is somehow connected to the fact that he has malformed limbs... maybe it took until now for him to display all of his problems. In my previous post, Rayson suggested that he may have the "short toes" genetic problem. Although his limbs look different than the limbs of the axie shown on the Indiana Colony's web site, I believe that he probably does have this short toes syndrome, especially since he's now exhibiting the fluid retention.

What shall I do? Please don't suggest euthanasia. I don't want to kill him, and I don't think he's in any pain. I could be wrong about this, but given the fact that he's eating well, I don't think that he's suffering in any way.

What on earth would cause this kind of fluid retention, and is there anything I can do to help him?

 

[ianclick]

Hi Velaria,

Wow,

If you can't face euthanasia, then you need to get it to a vet immediately. In some cases they are able to drain the fluid. I would imagine alot of potential harm and organ damage that amount of pressure could be causing.

Best of Luck

 

[b00f]

wow, that is rather strange looking axie.

I would take him to the VET.
In the end, what you do with him is entirely up to you

I would have him put down, by a Vet.

Rayson may shed some light on this, his a bit of an expert

 

[Velaria]

I called a ton of vets in my area, and none of them are willing to treat an axolotl!

 

[ianclick]

Hi Valeria,

I am sorry I can't help suggest a vet I have no knowledge about Herp Vets in the States. You could try this link if you haven't already www.herpvetdirectory.com They may have a listing for someone close to you

Good Luck

 

[pete]

If you read the website, which you did for the short toes mutant, then I think your description/diagnosis sounds spot on. The ascites fluid builds up occurs in older juvenile, just as you're describing. It's very likely that you picked up this mutant axolotl, that will not live over 1 yr. You're best bet is to either euthanize it or let it live out its days with you. I'm not sure a vet will be able to help you much beyond euthanizing it. I don't even want to guess how much a kidney transplant goes for in an axolotl....

"Short toes is a recessive lethal mutation involving the kidneys, the Mullerian ducts and the limbs. It was first described by Humphrey (1967b) and has since been of interest especially to researchers who study limb development and regeneration (e.g., Mescher, 1993; Tsonis et al., 1993). Mutant animals can be readily identified by their short limbs and, especially, the reduced number of phalanges once front limb development is complete. Ascites, due to the incomplete development of the Mullerian ducts, becomes apparent only in the older juvenile. Homozygotes die of renal failure at about one year." - Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center

 

[Velaria]

Yep, short toes syndrome, I'm sure of it.

Now the question is this: can I assume, because he is eating well and acting normally, that he is not feeling any pain or discomfort?

If he is not feeling pain or discomfort, then I would like to let him live as long as he can. If he IS feeling pain or discomfort, then the most humane thing would be to euthanize him.

If I must euthanize him, can anyone give any info about their experience with it?

Humane Methods of Euthanasia for Amphibians
At this time several methods of euthanasia are accepted by the National Research Council on Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals.

Tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222). Overdose at 200 mg/kg of body weight injected into the body cavity.

Ethyl alcohol. By sedation in a bath of 5% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) followed by immersion into a stronger bath after the amphibian has been anesthetized.

Pentobarbitol. At 100 mg/kg injected into the body cavity.

Pithing. Anesthetized amphibians can be pithed.

Benzocaine. Orajel® (and other painkillers containing benzocaine) appear to rapidly anesthetize and euthanize amphibians. This method has not yet been accepted by the National Research Council on Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals, probably due to how recently the publications involving these products have come out. Products containing either 7.5% or 20% benzocaine have been shown to be effective in the euthanasia of amphibians. The original descriptions of this procedure had the gel containing the benzocaine applied to the head of the amphibian, however it has been shown that it may be more effective if applied to the ventral (belly) surface of the animal (this may actually be most effective in anurans, which have pelvic patches, rather than caudates). A 5-mm drop applied to the ventral surface of a Eurycea quadridigitata resulted in relaxation and death in less than one minute (Chen and Combs, 1999).

Well, I don't think I can inject him, and I don't even know what "pithing" IS, but I do have some Orajel in the bathroom!! Being an anaesthetic, I'm sure that the Orajel would, if anything, PREVENT pain rather than cause it, but if it doesn't kill him completely, then I'm worried what the ramifications will be. Has anyone here used it?

 

[pete]

Yep, short toes syndrome, I'm sure of it.

Now the question is this: can I assume, because he is eating well and acting normally, that he is not feeling any pain or discomfort?

If he is not feeling pain or discomfort, then I would like to let him live as long as he can. If he IS feeling pain or discomfort, then the most humane thing would be to euthanize him.

If I must euthanize him, can anyone give any info about their experience with it?

No idea on the pain question. At least for people, I believe kidney failure is generally considered to be a fairly gentle way to pass. How that relates to axolotls.... I have no idea. Is the ascites fluid causing pain? ...tough call. You may be the best judge of how much the animal is suffering in its state. I can't really help you with your other question, but your probably wise to have a plan of action ready. I'm sure a vet could assist you with this if you felt uncomfortable going this route.

Edit: Also, if you know where/who you obtained the axolotl from then you may want to politely inform them that they may not wish to mate the parents again. Both parental axolotls carry a version of this mutant gene. Therefore future matings will perpetuate the gene and give a percentage of similar progeny.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Hi Velaria,

You must have missed my forum post over a week ago. I identified the problem for you then and suggested euthanasia.

http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=60686

Axolotls in this condition are suffering utterly. Ascites, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen causes compressional discomfort to the internal organs. In addition, kidney failure leads to a build up of nitrogenous wastes in the bloodstream, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base deficits and would ultimately cause multi-organ failure. Leaving your axie in this state is seriously in my opinion worst than death. Its a slow insidious debilitating illness with no cure.

I personally advocate using pentobarb (lethal barb) intraperitoneal injection for euthanasia. Pentobarb is the common drug used to put many species of animals to sleep. The intraperitoneal injection is quick, painless and ensures a known volume of the drug is delivered. The ethyl alcohol and benzocaine method, in my opinion, is best left to people routinely working with amphibian euthanasia, such as wildlife carers, breeders and laboratory researchers. The worst thing to happen is for you to underdose (and thus cause prolonged euthansia), or hurt yourself in the process. I recommend you bring it to a vet. It shouldn't be costly at all (some places even offer it for free).

Regards.