Axolotls (and other salamanders) do not appear to need a post-
amputation analgesic (other than, perhaps, keeping them cold for a
while). My assay is feeding: they usually commence feeding, as if
nothing happened, as soon as they recover from the anesthetic. I
don't think that would happen if they were in severe post-amputation
pain.
I have found nothing that comes close to MS222 for safely
anesthetizing axolotls or any salamander or fish (we use 0.3% for
newts). It is reasonably rapid (takes 15-20 minutes for adult newts),
gentle yet profound and long-lasting, with a steep recovery curve.
However, plain MS222 dissolved in water has a very low pH which can
cause significant discomfort to the animal (judging by the fact that
they thrash around). So I recommend buffering it (e.g. with 0.2%
sodium bicarbonate). Another advantage of (buffered) MS222 is that you
can make a large quantity of it and keep it in the refrigerator. Warm
to ambient temperature (to match the water that the animal is in)
before using, however.
Pura Vida,
Stan
Stanley Sessions PhD
Department of Biology
Hartwick College
Oneonta, NY 13820-1904
607-431-4764
sessionss from hartwick.edu
On Apr 18, 2009, at 4:07 AM, Jordi Cantó wrote:
> Hello Natalie,
>> Please, can I have the summary of responses to these questions:
>> 1) Do axolotls need a post leg amputation analgesic? If not why not?
> If they do, what sort is appropriate? For how long into the
> regeneration period do they require painkillers?
>> 2) Is there another anesthetic other than MS222 appropriate for
> anesthetising the axolotls for such an amputation?
>> Thanks,
>> --
> Jordi Cantó Martorell
> Director Servei d'Estabulari - SIAL
> Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
> SPAIN
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