Emergency with axolotl

[Notthrilledatthatidea]

Sorry to post here....I'm in desperate need of help with an axolotl.
She's swollen so much she can't keep upright. Hasn't eaten in a month. I legitimately can't find an aquatic veterinarian in the whole of Wales.

Anybody have any idea what I can do???

I've posted a picture of two axolotl side by side on thier tanks to give a comparison

Have you tried calling the nearest zoo to see if they can help? Or a normal vet?

There are axolotl groups on Facebook, there’s probably people more knowledgeable on there that can help.

Plantasia in Swansea have Axolotls (the only place I’ve ever seen them), maybe if you phone them they could recommend someone or help?

There's a reddit group for axolotls, they'll have people far more knowledgeable about them.

Any aquariums anywhere near? They may be able to help or point you in the direction of a suitable vet. Or a local decent tropical fish store may have some contacts.

I mean you could phone your vet 🤷

A quick Google says it can be fixed by fridging them until the bloat has passed. But that's if its just gas and not a blockage.
Can you phone an aquarium and ask advice?

Have you cycled the tank recently? What’s the ammonia level?

It doesn’t look good at all, poor little thing. Please tell me you’ve contacted your vet and haven’t let a sick, starving creature there for the past month?

Most vets have a contacts for vets who deal with exotic pets.

Could be ascites, happens to aquatic frogs.

Don't know where you are but Fylde Water Gardens are experts, they could advise.

Local zoo would be your best bet, they'll have an on site exotics vet or a contact for theirs. When I worked with exotics we often used a general practice local vet. Bloat seems to be a common problem with these guys from a quick google but def needs attention poor thing. Good luck.

Oh I didn't think of that! Thank you

Yes I have. As all advice I had was to hit it over the head with somthing. I'd rather not?? Mumsnet is my last chance. Thanks for your reply. Was sooooooo helpful

Christ I'm being cocky. I don't mean to be. Just trying to save the little fella. I'm talking myself out of stabbing it with a needle as Google suggested

I follow an axolotl account on Instagram. Maybe try contacting them? The handle is stefanaxolotl

When my axolotl was full of gas he floated right to the top which doesn't look the case here. Poor thing

Where did you get them? Our local aquarium shop sells and could provide advice on them.

https://www.origin-vets.org/meet-the-origin-vets

there is a very well known aquatics vet in Wales, whom I’ve known for decades. Here’s his practice details.

I've asked every local aquarium, every local vet, I phoned atleast 100 different places and been passed from piller to post.

I've just joined Instagram to see if a pp suggestion works. Wish me luck

Try this place - https://www.originvetsclinic.co.uk/
Even if not local to you they offer online consultations and see exotic species

The two vet clinics posted above have very similar names but I think are quite different...

The reddit group is really helpful. https://www.reddit.com/r/axolotls/

Why is that axolotl trapped in a glass box and not out living with all the other axolotls ?

If the worst comes to the worst then please do this instead of stabbing it or clumping it. Much more humane.

Obviously not in the actual tank!

Euthanizing Axolotls Humanely 1:A gradually applied strong dose of clove oil or benzocaine (found in tooth ache remedies) should be used to sedate the axolotl. Wait until the animal is totally unresponsive; water should eventually be clouded. For younger individuals, this will be enough to stop the heart. For older animals, it merely sedates and incapacitates them in a painless, humane way. Thus a second step must take place to make sure the heart stops.

Best way to get clove oil to emulsify is to put it in a small jar with some water and shake - the water will turn milky, otherwise it can just stay one the surface.

Honestly, I think it's really negligent as an owner not to have a vet lined up for emergencies in advance, leaving her a month is even worse, but it's too late to dwell on that now.

Here are some places to try for advice:

1. https://londonaquaticvet.com/ they are London based but do phone consultations.

1. https://www.valleyvets.net/exotics/what-we-do these are in Wales.

1. https://www.origin-vets.org/ these say they pretty much deal with all species from rhinos to beetles and are in Wales.

1. The people in the screenshot aren't vets but are Axolotl specific and might be able to give you recommendations.