Axolotl Oral Tumor Surgery and CT Imaging for NYC Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

Case Study #33: Axolotl Oral Tumor Surgery

Patient: Axolotl (Age 6) Location: NYC Metro Area

Axolotls are unique, fully aquatic salamanders that have become increasingly popular pets in New York. They live entirely in water, breathe through delicate external gills, and have very specific environmental and metabolic needs, which means their medical care requires a specialized understanding of their biology.

A 6-year-old female Axolotl presented to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic with a rapidly growing mass inside her mouth. The mass was so large it was preventing her from eating. Her case demonstrates our clinic's ability to adapt advanced surgery to even the most unique species.

The Patient: A Mass Blocking the Mouth The owner noticed the patient was struggling to swallow food. Upon closer inspection, a fleshy pink mass could be seen protruding from the oral cavity. Amphibian medicine presents a challenge: how do you diagnose a mass in a patient that cannot leave the water? The answer, once again, is our on-site CT Scanner.

The Diagnosis: Advanced Imaging for Amphibians To plan the surgery, we needed to know if the tumor involved the jawbone.

• The CT Scan: We performed a CT scan on the patient. This is a quick, non-invasive way to get a 3D view of the head.

• The Findings: The scan revealed an extensive soft-tissue mass. Crucially, there was no bone involvement. This was excellent news, as it meant we could remove the mass without having to remove part of the jaw.

The Treatment: Aquatic Surgery Surgery on an axolotl requires a specialized setup.

• Anesthesia: We use water-borne anesthesia where the anesthetic is dissolved in the water that flows over the gills.

• Moisture: The patient’s skin must be kept wet at all times to protect the slime coat.

• Excision: Using fine microsurgical instruments, Dr. Malka and the team successfully excised the mass from the mouth.

Pathology Results The mass was sent for histopathology (biopsy), which confirmed a diagnosis of Neuroepithelioma. This is a rare type of tumor arising from nerve tissue. Knowing the diagnosis helps us prognose the chance of recurrence.

Recovery: Eating Again The patient recovered in a specialized recovery tank with clean, cool, oxygenated water. She was monitored until she was swimming normally.

Once the mouth healed, the axolotl was able to eat again. She returned home to the NYC area and is doing well. This surgery extended her life and ended her starvation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you really do surgery on a fish or axolotl? Yes! We treat fish and amphibians regularly. We can remove tumors, repair wounds, and even treat buoyancy disorders.

What causes tumors in axolotls? Like all animals, genetics and age play a role.

Do you treat axolotls from Manhattan? Yes. Because expert amphibian care is so rare, we see clients from all over the Tri-State area. Whether you have an Axolotl or a rare Koi fish, we offer the same high standard of medical care.

Contact Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic: Website: https://www.birdexoticsvet.com/ Phone: (516) 482-1101