Illness/Sickness: Urgent help needed!! very sick axie!

[leotheawesome]

I've had leo for a few days now after buying him off someone moving house, he's about 2 years old and a few days ago I noticed he was floating at the top of his tank, i read that might be due to wind so i moved him to a smaller container (as instructed on some forums because he may potentially have wind) during this process he thrashed around and caught his gills on something causing him to bleed a little bit, it stopped pretty soon and I placed him back in his proper tank as soon as I could but this morning his tail was curled at the end (a sign of stress I've been told) this morning he was very dozy and didn't seem to be eating, all the colour has gone from his gills and he's was gulping air... now he's hardly moving at all. I'm just getting very worried about him! His water temperature and pH levels are perfect and he's had stumpy gills since I got him.
Does anyone have any idea how I can help him? :S Thanks in advance!

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

Do you have a filter and air stone in his tank? Axolotls seem to gulp air more often when there's a lack of it in the water. It probably would have been best to leave him in the tank for the first few days as so he could adjust and calm down after his big move. Don't blame yourself though, you were only doing what you thought was best. As his gills have been damaged it may be worth placing him back in the container for now so it's easier for you to keep his water fresh and clean (change daily with dechlorinated water) - don't fridge him as you want to ensure he's eventually eating well. Place him somewhere the container can stay cool and somewhere dark so he can relax for a while. Leave him a day or so and then see if he's willing to eat a little bit. Keep an eye out for fungus on his gills, toes etc (cotton wool like substance). Once you feel he is more settled you can introduce him back into the tank.

Also there gills can become more "dull" when they're chilling out and vibrant when they're being active, its all to do with blood flow.

 

[leotheawesome]

Do you have a filter and air stone in his tank? Axolotls seem to gulp air more often when there's a lack of it in the water. It probably would have been best to leave him in the tank for the first few days as so he could adjust and calm down after his big move. Don't blame yourself though, you were only doing what you thought was best. As his gills have been damaged it may be worth placing him back in the container for now so it's easier for you to keep his water fresh and clean (change daily with dechlorinated water) - don't fridge him as you want to ensure he's eventually eating well. Place him somewhere the container can stay cool and somewhere dark so he can relax for a while. Leave him a day or so and then see if he's willing to eat a little bit. Keep an eye out for fungus on his gills, toes etc (cotton wool like substance). Once you feel he is more settled you can introduce him back into the tank.

Also there gills can become more "dull" when they're chilling out and vibrant when they're being active, its all to do with blood flow.

Thanks for the advice, I've put him in a large tupperware box in our box
room, it's cool and dark in there, I'll check on him tomorrow, hopefully he'll be a bit happier,

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

You're Welcome, that's what everybody's here for :happy: keep the thread updated on how he's doing. Hopefully he should start eating in a couple of days, settle in and be just fine!