Seeking help for sick Axolotl

[krrss]

Hi, I am new to this forum,

I am asking for help as my 2 year old axolotl has become unwell over the last couple of weeks, at first I thought she may have an infection as she is a albino axolotl and had a greyish change on her skin. That is resolving as I have done a full water change of the tank. As well as have been doing daily water changes and have also separated her from her mate who is completely fine and healthy. But now she has stopped eating, she usually has the pellets, but due to her dis-interest I have tried live food (which she has had before) and attempts to eat but cant swallow, which is concerning as i'm uncertain to why as I cant see anything obstructing in her mouth. She has lost a lot of weight and I am not sure of what to do.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Krrss

 

[Hayleyy]

Can you attach some photos (maybe some before/after) and post your water parameters please? They can go through periods of going off food but we can see if there's any underlying issues

 

[krrss]

Thanks so much,

The red thing on her head she has had for ages she hit it against the fish tank and has a permanent blood blister.


I know the rocks she can swallow but they have been in there for 2 years and have not been a problem

 

[Hayleyy]

What temperature is the tank? And the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
Even though you don't think there has been any issue with the gravel it is possible she has injested it before and has been able to pass it. I wouldn't risk keeping it in the tank with her. Barebottom is perfectly fine to use but you could also look into sand if you prefer substrate.
It could be the angle but her belly in the first pic looks swollen, which could have been gravel but was luckily passed.
Has she been pooping in the last few days? If she hasn't I would try lowering the tank temperature or fridging at around 10 degrees. If it is a blockage it will pass quicker in cooler water. Are you able to slightly (and carefully) pry open the mouth to see if anything is in there? Her face looks really round like there is something stuck.
Which live food do you have on hand?
How long has the blister been there for? Axolotls should be able to heal from most wounds so something is stopping that from happening.

 

[krrss]

I’m not sure about the nitrates and all that ..I’ll have to go get a new thing that tells me all that ... she had eggs probably a week after that photo was taken .. but I do understand that I could be wrong and I’ll definitely change it to the something other than pebbles cause I don’t want this to happen again .. the blister things has been there for 2 years and she has been fine up .. how would I pry open her mouth without hurting her ??

 

[Giuseppe]

Would be really helpful to have tank parameters if you can get those soon! Also would strongly recommend removing the pebbles. Is she pooping? She looks underweight but swollen which would indicate some kind of impaction to me. I'd recommend fridging using the instructions on the sticky on this forum, and then trying to gently pry open her mouth because it does look like there might be something stuck. The cold from the fridge should help with handling her a bit. The blood blister worries me as Hayley said there is probably something wrong preventing that from healing, possibly poor water conditions or infection.

 

[Hayleyy]

I recommend the API master test kit. It's got everything you need and buying it whole is cheaper than buying separate kits. In the meantime you can take a water sample (maybe 30ml) to your local fish store or chain pet store and they should be able to test it for you.
If she had eggs that would explain the bloating in the first picture.
To pry the mouth open you can use tweezers but to be safe a couple of cotton buds should work. Have one in each hand and see if you can open it just enough to look inside. Is there anything in the tank other than gravel that she could eat, like fish or snails?
The blister is odd, but I will wait for your water parameters to see if that is what is stopping the healing.

 

[krrss]

Hi, sorry i have been doing what everyone has suggested, I have removed the pebbles, have gotten the water checked results for the ammonia, ph and nitrates were all within the normal ranges. I have checked the inside of the axolotl mouth, there was nothing that i could physically see and she has had a bowel motion. I have continued to do daily water changes, as well as have an anti-bacterial/fungi solution to try (all natural and suitable for axolotls). At the movement I and am trying to keep her as relaxed as possible and am trying to get her appetite back with live food (worms and feeder fish). Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[HitmanSougo13]

Since you mentioned you already looked inside her mouth which is ok and then from looking at the photos I don’t really see things such as fungus on the gills or other issues other than she does look quite in skinny. Maybe do one more inspection such as behind the gills, check the feet, check for weird colors (as in like really really blue or something) on the stomach. if the temperature is also within good range and from what you are saying the water parameters are doing ok then at this point you may have to consider some force feeding sessions. Amphibians could have a possibility of forgetting how to eat.

Are you giving her medicine? Just curious because that should be done for sure if you see something. But jugding by what I am reading, there are no clear indicators.

However if you are against force feeding, it is understandable but really the next bet to take to a vet. Hope it all works out!!

 

[krrss]

She finally ate for the first time last night ! So I’m going to continue with the change of water for another couple of days and just little bits of food ... it took a lot of persistence and I had to actually cut the worm in half for her to have it, which was really weird cause I only gave her a small one .. but it worked ! Thanks for everyone’s help !!!!