Saved another, questions though?

[SamuelK]

So I saved another Axie today, the owner couldn't take care of her so I figured I wanted to take this cute lotl home and do what I could to save her. The thing is though, she has like a lump under her throat, the previous owner said that this was not there earlier today so I am wondering what it could be? Thanks.

 

[SamuelK]

So update, a lot I have read has said to try and get her mouth open. Well I tried that and let's just say she is not letting that fly. I think either something is stuff inside her mouth or it is an infection. I do wonder though, could her bumping around have caused this possibly, like just swollen because she hit it on something? Back to trying to open her mouth though, I put her in a little tub, rinsed my hands and kept them wet. Slowly raised her from the water for maybe 15 seconds and tried to get her mouth open gentle, she kept struggling so I put her back down and decided to get her in the fridge again. Don't wanna stress her too much until I know what is going on. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[CJ1981]

How strange. It does look like she has something in her mouth, perhaps if you leave her in the fridge for a bit she will spit it out? Sorry I'm not being much help I just can't say I've seen this before

 

[SamuelK]

Thanks for the concern, it is very much appreciated. I looked in her mouth as best I could and did not see anything, there could be something there I just couldn't get her mouth open greatly. I did get some new pictures though to see if that helps. I am just trying my best to save her. My vet isn't open till Monday so I can't even go there to check if they can help. Sorry about the quality with the close ups, she was not fond of the camera that much in her face.

 

[Kaysie]

Try opening her mouth while she's underwater. That will be a little less stressful for her, and she might not struggle so much. Use the corner of a credit card to help pry it open GENTLY!

Is the swelling any worse or better today?

 

[SamuelK]

I will try that, the swelling seems about the same today and has not changed to much. I gave her some food and she tried eating, but seemed to have a hard time opening her mouth. I will keep you guys updated after I give it a shot with looking in her mouth again.

 

[SamuelK]

So I just fed her a chopped up worm and she seemed to have no problem with that what so ever. But after eating the lump was still there so I am sort of thinking that nothing is stuck in there otherwise she would have had problems eating, right? My question is if this is an infection is there anything I can do to fight it here at home. My vets are all closed till Monday. It is not helping that every page I found with something similar the end result was the little guy dying, so I am going at this as best I can! Sorry for the constant questions, especially being new and all here. Luckily this new girl is in a different tank, so Zoro is still doing good. Any help is appreciated, and thanks for all the help so far!

 

[EmbryH]

If you're positive that she hasn't got anything stuck in her mouth, my advice is just to do your best to keep her alive until you can get her to a vet. If the bump doesn't seem to get worse and she maintains an appetite, then just keep a close eye on her.

If it seems like, over the next few days, the bump gets worse or she starts acting strangely, it might be best to fridge her until the vets are open. That's just my instinct though; I've never had experience with this particular problem.

 

[SamuelK]

Thanks for the advice, I am gonna try again to get another look in her mouth. She is already in the fridge though and seems pretty calm. I emailed my vet and what was said is that she could be malnourished and that it could have ended up pica, not sure what that is. On Monday I could have the vet make a house call if this does not get better. Hopefully someone can explain "pica" and once I get a look in her mouth hopefully something is there, that way it's not an infection.

 

[Kaysie]

The only definition of pica I know is a condition where you eat things that aren't food for nutritional value. For instance, pregnant women often get the desire to eat dirt (for it's mineral content).

I don't think that makes much sense here.

 

[SamuelK]

Yeah that is weird. I have no clue, my vet checks her emails when the office is closed luckily, but I don't think she can really diagnose anything unless she sees the axie in person. Well I am getting ready to try with the mouth again, hope this goes well. Updates soon.

 

[SamuelK]

So I looked in her mouth and there is nothing I could see in there. She his like a small black/silver line on her bottom lip corner though. It almost seems like an air pocket or something filled with fluid. Not sure, any insight you guys might have on this?

 

[SamuelK]

Just an update, she ate today and did fine during her water change. The bump has not changed at all, but she does not seem greatly bothered. She moves and all that, her only problem is she never swims up. I am still watching her and will let everyone know what happens!

 

[SamuelK]

Well another update, she is still moving around and seems to be doing good. She didn't eat yesterday, but I am thinking it is because she is in the fridge and her metabolism is slowed. I am waiting to get her into the vet to make sure of what this is, but for now she seems comfortable. Btw Happy New Year to you all here, updates will come and I will try for some more pics of her and Zoro.

 

[SamuelK]

I was wondering if this could be edema? If anyone has some insight on this thought let me know, since I just got her I don't know how her feedings were. This is just a guess, but I wanted to see if anyone though this could be possible?

 

[Kaysie]

Could be. Edema is just a symptom, though, of an underlying illness.

I would still get her checked out by a vet. A course of antibiotics probably wouldn't hurt.

 

[SamuelK]

Will do, I am scrapping the money together for the vet, but today seemed to not be so great for her. This morning there were to more pieces of gravel in her tank and bigger this time. She also has little red dots on her tail and one of her legs. I am not sure what that is about. Her skin on her stomach also seems more scrunched together now? I will try for picks a bit later. Any insight here though, I feel bad because I am still new to Axolotls and when I took her in I saw something was wrong, I just couldn't let the previous owner keep mistreating her by having her in a tank with gravel and two larger axolotl, I wanna save the poor girl.

 

[Cleigh9579]

Wanting to thank you for doing the right thing even if you are new. The worse thing one can do is let the wrong things keep going on. I pray for you and her. Either way she is better off with you.