Whoa, stop immediately with the warm water and heat lamp! These animals are stressed by heat, and will heal better in the coolest conditions you can provide. I agree with the treatment advice from buffysmom. Read thoroughly:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/faq/faq.shtml

>>Three days ago, I purchased a Fire-Bellied newt. It wasn't until I got him home that I saw he only had three legs, and that his injury was recent enough that his stump was still bleeding slightly. I have since put him in a one gallon tank with a small heat lamp, and the typical half land half water setup. However, he is (perhaps understandably) refusing to eat, to move, or to go into the water. I have tried feeding him bloodworms, thawed brine shrimp (since I thought he might not be able to catch live ones), and those little pellets they sell at pet stores, but even when I put them on his nose he just brushes them off and resumes his semi-comatose position. I have yet to see him open his mouth. I've also been sprinkling him with warm water, because otherwise he just sits, motionless, until he starts looking dry and crispy. I'm really worried about him, and was hoping that *anyone* would have a suggestion on what I could to to help him out (other than, "Return him and sue the store," which is what my roomie is pushing).

[ Hide Replies ]

• Three-legged Fire-Bellied newt (Help!!) - passerby, Thu Jan 8 17:44:24 2004
• RE: Three-legged Fire-Bellied newt (Help!!) - buffysmom, Fri Jan 9 13:01:07 2004
• RE: Three-legged Fire-Bellied newt (Help!!) - passerby, Fri Jan 9 18:06:51 2004
• RE: Three-legged Fire-Bellied newt (Help!!) - jennewt, Sat Jan 10 09:30:05 2004
• RE: Three-legged Fire-Bellied newt (Help!!) - passerby, Sat Jan 10 15:50:06 2004