Constipation in axolotls can be a scary thing for any axolotl owner. An axolotl that is unable to pass waste properly can become very sick very quickly, so it’s important to recognize the signs of constipation early and take action to relieve it.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The main signs of a constipated axolotl are a swollen cloaca, lack of waste, and a swollen or hardened abdomen. To help relieve constipation, give the axolotl a honey bath, try gently massaging its abdomen, fast for 1-2 days, then feed deshelled peas.

Seek vet care if constipation persists over 72 hours.

Recognizing the Signs of a Constipated Axolotl

A Swollen Cloaca

One of the most obvious signs of constipation in axolotls is a swollen cloaca. The cloaca is the opening on an axolotl’s belly where waste exits the body. When axolotls are unable to pass stool, the feces back up and cause a blockage, resulting in swelling around the cloaca.

The area may appear enlarged, inflamed, or protruding. A swollen cloaca is usually accompanied by symptoms like lack of waste in the tank and a firm, bloated belly.

Lack of Waste in the Tank

Healthy axolotls regularly pass waste and poop throughout the day. If you notice your axolotl hasn’t pooped in over 24 hours, it could be an early sign of constipation. Axolotls tend to poop a lot, so a lack of waste accumulation in the tank is often the first red flag.

Monitor your tank closely each day and track when your axolotl poops. If stool production slows down or seems decreased, constipation may be setting in.

Swollen or Hardened Abdomen

As feces builds up inside an axolotl due to constipation, their belly often becomes firm, swollen, or distended. Gently run your fingers along your axolotl’s tummy – a healthy abdomen should be soft and flat, while a constipated one may feel enlarged or hardened.

An axolotl’s belly may also look round or balloon-like when viewed from above. If you notice bloating or a tight, swollen abdomen, take steps to relieve your pet’s constipation right away.

Some other potential signs of constipation in axolotls include lethargy or disinterest in food, floating vertically in the tank, and straining or writhing movements. If your axolotl exhibits any of these symptoms in addition to infrequent pooping, take action immediately.

Left untreated, constipation can become life-threatening. Monitor your pet closely and consult an exotic vet if needed to get your axolotl’s digestive system moving again.

Causes of Constipation in Axolotls

Improper Diet

One of the most common causes of constipation in axolotls is an improper diet. Axolotls are carnivores and need a diet rich in animal proteins. Feeding them too many treats like frozen bloodworms or pellets without supplementing with earthworms can lead to constipation.

Their digestive systems aren’t designed to handle large amounts of commercial axolotl foods. An imbalanced diet that is too high in fat or calcium can also slow down the digestive process. The best diet for axolotls consists mainly of earthworms, along with occasional treats like bloodworms or shrimp.

Low Water Temperature

Axolotls are cold-blooded animals that thrive in cool water temperatures between 60-68°F. If the water is too cold, below 60°F, it can dramatically slow down their metabolism and digestive processes. This cold stress causes the muscles that control digestion to contract more slowly and weakly.

Food takes much longer to pass through the gut, leading to constipation. Always make sure to maintain the tank water in the ideal temperature range for axolotls. Getting a submersible heater and thermometer can help regulate the temperature.

Impaction

Sometimes axolotls accidentally swallow small particles like sand or gravel from the tank bottom while feeding. Over time, these particles can accumulate in the digestive tract and cause a blockage, known as impaction. Axolotls showing signs of constipation may have eaten substrate by mistake.

Try feeding them in a separate tank or bowl without any gravel or rocks. And use very fine sand that is unlikely to clump together in the gut. Keeping their habitat clean and free of debris can help prevent accidental impaction.

Underlying Health Issues

In some cases, constipation can be a symptom of an underlying health problem in axolotls. Issues like intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, and fungal infections can all interfere with normal digestion.

Axolotls with these conditions will often show additional symptoms like lack of appetite, lethargy, swollen cloaca, and tail kinking. Take your axolotl to an exotic veterinarian for a fecal exam and general health checkup if the constipation persists.

With proper care and prompt treatment, most axolotls recover fully from constipation. Paying attention to their diet, habitat, and bowel movements is key!

Treating a Constipated Axolotl at Home

Honey Baths

One easy and natural home remedy for constipation in axolotls is honey baths. Honey is known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and can help relieve constipation when absorbed through the skin.

Prepare a honey bath by adding 1 tablespoon of raw, organic honey to 1 gallon of dechlorinated water at room temperature. Let your axolotl soak in this solution for 15-20 minutes once a day until its bowel movements return to normal.

The honey will provide a soothing environment and help loosen up any compacted waste. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse your pet afterward so the honey doesn’t make the tank too sticky.

Gently Massage the Abdomen

Gently massaging your axolotl’s tummy can help stimulate its digestive system and get things moving again. Make sure your hands are clean and wet before lightly rubbing the abdominal area in small circular motions. Apply mild pressure and massage for 2-3 minutes at a time, 1-2 times per day.

Be very delicate, as axolotls have fragile skin. The massage can help break up blockages and allow waste to pass more easily. Just be patient and don’t force anything.

Fasting

A short fast can also help relieve constipation in axolotls. Stop feeding for 2-3 days to give its digestive system a rest. Fasting gives the gut time to clear out and reset itself. Make sure to still provide plenty of clean, dechlorinated water so your pet stays hydrated.

Once the fast is over, feed a softened deshelled pea to help move things along. Just don’t fast for more than 3 days, as axolotls can start to burn fat reserves and develop fatty liver disease if undernourished for too long.

Feed Deshelled Peas

Deshelled peas are an excellent natural laxative for constipated axolotls. They are high in fiber, which adds bulk to stool and helps it pass more easily through the intestines. To prepare, buy fresh or frozen peas and remove the outer shell. The inner pea can then be fed whole or mashed up.

A good starting amount is 2-3 peas per day. The peas will absorb water in the gut and gently push waste through the digestive tract. You can continue feeding peas 2-3 times a week even after your axolotl has recovered to help maintain regularity.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Constipation in axolotls can often be treated at home through adjusting water parameters, diet, and using remedies like honey baths or peas. However, in some cases it is important to seek veterinary care.

Prolonged Constipation

If an axolotl has not pooped for over 5 days despite at-home treatment efforts, you should take it to an exotic veterinarian. Prolonged constipation can cause serious health issues like intestinal blockages or cloacal prolapse.

Signs of Pain or Discomfort

Axolotls that are extremely bloated, lethargic, or showing signs of distress while trying to pass waste should be seen by a vet. This indicates a severe case of impaction or blockage that requires professional treatment.

Recurring Constipation

If an axolotl gets constipated frequently despite proper care and preventative measures, there may be an underlying health issue. Seeking veterinary advice can help diagnose and treat any conditions contributing to chronic constipation.

Difficulty Diagnosing the Cause

In some cases, the reason for an axolotl’s constipation may not be clear based on at-home monitoring and troubleshooting. A vet has specialized tools and knowledge to run tests and determine the cause of the problem.

While mild, temporary constipation often resolves on its own, severely or chronically constipated axolotls require a vet’s care. Their advice can help relieve your lotl’s discomfort and get its digestive system working properly again.

Preventing Constipation in Axolotls

Feed a Healthy, Varied Diet

One of the best ways to prevent constipation in axolotls is to feed them a nutritious, varied diet. Axolotls are carnivorous and in the wild eat insects, small fish, worms, and crustaceans. When caring for pet axolotls, it’s important to replicate their natural diet as much as possible.

Here are some healthy dietary options to feed your axie:

  • Earthworms – A staple food for axolotls. Chop worms into small pieces to prevent choking.
  • Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia – Excellent sources of protein.
  • Beef heart, scallops, shrimp – Can be fed occasionally for variety.
  • Pellets or sticks – Specifically formulated for axolotls. Soak before feeding.

Avoid feeding axolotls only one type of food item. Provide a mixture for balanced nutrition. Overfeeding should also be avoided, only feed amount your axolotl can consume within 5-10 minutes 1-2 times per day. Lastly, avoid any hard, dry, or sharp foods that could injure your axie when eating.

Maintain Proper Water Temperature and Quality

Keeping axolotls at the right water temperature and with excellent water quality is crucial to preventing constipation. Here are some tips:

  • Temperature – Ideal is 60-68°F. Temperatures above 74°F can cause constipation.
  • Filtration – Strong filtration is needed to remove waste. Use appropriate filter for tank size.
  • Partial water changes – 25% each week helps replenish minerals and remove nitrates.
  • Test water parameters – Use liquid test kit to monitor ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
  • Chemicals/Conditioners – Use dechlorinator and beneficial bacteria to create a healthy environment.

Always follow best practices for axolotl water care. Poor water quality can lead to illness, stress, and digestive issues like constipation in axolotls.

Use Fine Substrate

The substrate or tank bottom covering used for axolotls needs to be very fine and smooth. Gravel, pebbles, and coarse sands can get accidentally swallowed while feeding and impact the digestive tract, potentially causing constipation. Recommended substrates include:

  • Fine Sand – No larger than 1mm diameter sand grains.
  • Bare Bottom – No substrate, just the glass tank bottom.
  • Fine Gravel – Smooth 1-2mm diameter grains.

Avoid using pebbles, rocks, marbles, or any coarse materials as substrate. When feeding axolotls, uneaten food and waste should be siphoned from the tank daily to keep the substrate clean. This helps minimize the risk of impaction.

Following these tips will help prevent digestive issues like constipation in your pet axolotl.

Conclusion

Constipation can happen to any axolotl, but by knowing the signs, causes, and home treatments, an axolotl owner can usually help relieve mild constipation. Pay close attention to your axolotl’s waste habits, abdomen, and cloaca to catch constipation early.

Try honey baths, massage, and peas first, but if constipation lasts over 72 hours or causes visible distress, don’t hesitate to seek vet care. With prompt treatment, most cases of axolotl constipation can be successfully relieved.

By feeding a healthy, varied diet, maintaining proper water temperature and quality, and using a fine substrate, axolotl owners can also take proactive steps to prevent constipation from occurring.

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