Diseases
WRITTEN BY D.KNIGHT
Keeping amphibians in captivity is a great hobby shared by many enthusiast, however even though they are kept in pristine vivariums, with the latest husbandry techniques they are not immune from disease. Many parasites live naturally in the frog’s body and usually cause no problems, however the stress of a new tank mate or a drastic change in temperatures can lead to stress. Stress weakens the frog and it is then when many of these parasites take advantage of the host and problems develop. Some other infections can be caused by laps in care or an infected frog being added to the vivarium. It is vital that the frogs are never neglected and the water is changed daily. When acquiring a new specimen it is important that proper quarantine protocols are taken to prevent the risk of diseases and keep the current collection healthy.
Below is a list of symptoms, causes and possible treatments. This is only for use as a guide and both D.Knight and TheWorldoFrogs recommend consulting a qualified vet or professional BEFORE attempting any form of treatment.
Listless
Stress - Avoid any disturbance to the frog other than misting and changing the water. If food is not being taken do not offer as run-away feeder insects will only cause more stress to the frog. Avoid leering into the vivarium or making changes. If the stress has started after the arrival of a new vivarium occupant, the new acquisition should be removed immediately. In the case of new frogs stress is not uncommon as they will take time to adjust after being transferred from breeder to their new home.
Doesn't eat, loses weight, is listless, has lumps or other irregularities on the skin.
Bacterial infections – Place 8 drops of BAYTRIL into 125ml of tepid water. Place the frog into a jar containing the solution and place the lid on. It is important to make sure the frog's head stays above the water. Duration: 15 min, each day for 6 days.
Listless, often found in water or hiding, watery droppings.
Parasites in intestines - Parasites are always present in the intestines, but they will only cause problems when the animal is weak or stressed. Treat with vitamins and FLAGALEX. Place 1 drop onto 8 drops of tepid water, the place one drop on the frogs back. Duration: each day for 6 days. Treating the vivarium can be done by mixing 1ml to each 5 litres of water; use this to spray the vivarium. Overdoses can be deadly so it is vital to use the correct dosage!!!
Does eat, loses weight, listless.
Parasites in intestines - 25mg of PANACUR to each Kg of the frogs body bodyweight. Place one drop on frog's back for at least 10 days. Overdoses can be deadly so it is vital to use the correct dosage!!!
Pink area surrounding anus, bulging rectum.
Infections in intestines - Grind 1/8 tablet of Salazo salt. And sprinkle onto the food as if it were a vitamin supplement.
Acts spasmodic, is active but loses weight, dry skin.
Worms - Treat with LEVAJECT/LEVADERM/LEVAMISOL. 1 drop in 3 drops of tepid water, place one drop of the solution on the frog's back, then turn the frog over and place one drop on its belly. Duration: 7 days.
Listless and doesn't eat.
Hypothermal - Same as treatment for stress. Duration: 7 days.
Flesh-coloured spots on skins, toes or nose.
Wounds - Apply SULFANILAMIDEPOEDER (orgasepton) to the wound several times per day.
Skinny front legs (young frogs).
Spindly leg syndrome - Unfortunately there is no treatment for this disease, Euthanasia is the only solution.
Fungus on skin, reddening of the skin and hematomas along the abdominal region and on the legs
Red leg Pseudomonas hydrophilic - Quarantine the frog in a separate vivarium and add a solution that is 0, 6% salt and 99.04% amphibian safe water to the water area/dish. Make sure that the frogs gets in the water often, if the frog avoids the water it may be bathed in the solution. Duration 6 weeks. Use a solution of 0, 2%mercurochroom on areas with fungus, rinse after several minutes.
Reddening of the ventral skin, convulsions with extension of hind limbs, accumulations of sloughed skin over the body, sloughing of the superficial epidermis of the feet and other areas, slight roughening of the surface with minute skin tags, occasional small ulcers or haemorrhage, Lethargy, a failure to seek shelter, a failure to flee, a loss of righting reflex, and abnormal posture
Chytrid fungus caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Bathe the infected frog for 10 minutes in a solution of, 1ml lamisil spray and 220ml of amphibian safe tepid water. Keep separated in a quarantine tank. Duration 10 days. If this method fails it is essential to euthanize the frog and dispose of the remains.
Keeping amphibians in captivity is a great hobby shared by many enthusiast, however even though they are kept in pristine vivariums, with the latest husbandry techniques they are not immune from disease. Many parasites live naturally in the frog’s body and usually cause no problems, however the stress of a new tank mate or a drastic change in temperatures can lead to stress. Stress weakens the frog and it is then when many of these parasites take advantage of the host and problems develop. Some other infections can be caused by laps in care or an infected frog being added to the vivarium. It is vital that the frogs are never neglected and the water is changed daily. When acquiring a new specimen it is important that proper quarantine protocols are taken to prevent the risk of diseases and keep the current collection healthy.
Below is a list of symptoms, causes and possible treatments. This is only for use as a guide and both D.Knight and TheWorldoFrogs recommend consulting a qualified vet or professional BEFORE attempting any form of treatment.
Listless
Stress - Avoid any disturbance to the frog other than misting and changing the water. If food is not being taken do not offer as run-away feeder insects will only cause more stress to the frog. Avoid leering into the vivarium or making changes. If the stress has started after the arrival of a new vivarium occupant, the new acquisition should be removed immediately. In the case of new frogs stress is not uncommon as they will take time to adjust after being transferred from breeder to their new home.
Doesn't eat, loses weight, is listless, has lumps or other irregularities on the skin.
Bacterial infections – Place 8 drops of BAYTRIL into 125ml of tepid water. Place the frog into a jar containing the solution and place the lid on. It is important to make sure the frog's head stays above the water. Duration: 15 min, each day for 6 days.
Listless, often found in water or hiding, watery droppings.
Parasites in intestines - Parasites are always present in the intestines, but they will only cause problems when the animal is weak or stressed. Treat with vitamins and FLAGALEX. Place 1 drop onto 8 drops of tepid water, the place one drop on the frogs back. Duration: each day for 6 days. Treating the vivarium can be done by mixing 1ml to each 5 litres of water; use this to spray the vivarium. Overdoses can be deadly so it is vital to use the correct dosage!!!
Does eat, loses weight, listless.
Parasites in intestines - 25mg of PANACUR to each Kg of the frogs body bodyweight. Place one drop on frog's back for at least 10 days. Overdoses can be deadly so it is vital to use the correct dosage!!!
Pink area surrounding anus, bulging rectum.
Infections in intestines - Grind 1/8 tablet of Salazo salt. And sprinkle onto the food as if it were a vitamin supplement.
Acts spasmodic, is active but loses weight, dry skin.
Worms - Treat with LEVAJECT/LEVADERM/LEVAMISOL. 1 drop in 3 drops of tepid water, place one drop of the solution on the frog's back, then turn the frog over and place one drop on its belly. Duration: 7 days.
Listless and doesn't eat.
Hypothermal - Same as treatment for stress. Duration: 7 days.
Flesh-coloured spots on skins, toes or nose.
Wounds - Apply SULFANILAMIDEPOEDER (orgasepton) to the wound several times per day.
Skinny front legs (young frogs).
Spindly leg syndrome - Unfortunately there is no treatment for this disease, Euthanasia is the only solution.
Fungus on skin, reddening of the skin and hematomas along the abdominal region and on the legs
Red leg Pseudomonas hydrophilic - Quarantine the frog in a separate vivarium and add a solution that is 0, 6% salt and 99.04% amphibian safe water to the water area/dish. Make sure that the frogs gets in the water often, if the frog avoids the water it may be bathed in the solution. Duration 6 weeks. Use a solution of 0, 2%mercurochroom on areas with fungus, rinse after several minutes.
Reddening of the ventral skin, convulsions with extension of hind limbs, accumulations of sloughed skin over the body, sloughing of the superficial epidermis of the feet and other areas, slight roughening of the surface with minute skin tags, occasional small ulcers or haemorrhage, Lethargy, a failure to seek shelter, a failure to flee, a loss of righting reflex, and abnormal posture
Chytrid fungus caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Bathe the infected frog for 10 minutes in a solution of, 1ml lamisil spray and 220ml of amphibian safe tepid water. Keep separated in a quarantine tank. Duration 10 days. If this method fails it is essential to euthanize the frog and dispose of the remains.