Reptile & Amphibian Forums

got a new newt last week, but i think he injured himself. one of his back legs has like a tear in the skin where it connects to the body (looks white where the tear is, not like fungus, just like inside of skin). when i first got him he was walking around exploring the tank, now he's just kinda laying on the bottom with his head down. he's still alive though, if i touch him, he swims away. he also kind of has his mouth open a little. (my other newt never does this.) is there anything i can do? or just let him have time to heal? will he live?

thanks

Sounds like it could be a serious bacterial infection. This can cause both the sore on the leg (decaying flesh most likely) and the open mouth (could be mouth rot). New newts should always be quarantined for exactly this reason - they often arrive in poor shape with diseases. Move him out and try kanamycin or dirt quarantine. See treatment articles at:
http://www.caudata.org/caudatecentral/

i can't get to the petstore to get medicine today, so i'll try the dirt quarentine. thanks! i hope he lives....

i got him in a kritter keeper in dirt quarrantine. how do i know if it's too dry for him?

Slope the dirt, so that the lower side is wetter. He can choose.