Sudden death of my white's treefrog

[Bolisnide]

I don't know what has happened to our dear Sloppy.

Here's a little history:
I bought a white's tree frog, 'Froggy,' November 25th for my 4 year old son from a local independently owned pet store specializing in aquatic pets. However, I found out later the man who helped me, also the owner of store, doesn't know much about amphibians. He told me the frog was a Blue chubby. Also housed in same one gallon tank was another white's and a white lipped tree frog.
After a couple weeks and some friendly advice here at the frog forum, we moved him into an 18x18x24 enclosure with 5 safe and real plants, several vines and sticks for climbing, fake hanging vines, water dish. Humidity and temp good.
Then we decided to get Froggy a friend (I know, not necessary, but still we wanted to add one more frog).
We bought Sloppy two weeks after we bought Froggy from same said pet store.
We were told by same man that quarantine was not necessary because they were from same breeder and were housed in same tank at store.
Nonetheless, we quarantined. But only for one week. Sloppy seemed very healthy.
Then after one week, we introduced Sloppy to Froggy.
Both were eating and eliminating normally. Everything seemed to be going very well.

This evening I find Sloppy nearly and just about dead in back of enclosure - this is now two and a half weeks after we brought him home, and only 1 1/2 weeks in enclosure with Froggy.
I panicked, picked him up. he was limp and barely breathing.
I quickly got a small container and filled it with warm water and a couple drops of honey. (I don't know why, but remembered reading that was helpful, for what I couldn't remember). He seemed to barely perk up for a couple seconds.
Then, nothing... gone. I noticed after he passed that he did look a little bloated, but not terribly.
I'm sorry, but no pictures. I can barely look at him I'm so sad. We will bury him in the morning.
We are so, so sad. And I feel terribly guilty.

I sat at the vivarium for about half an hour mourning our new and now lost friend, wondering what went wrong. (By the way, I'm the type of person that follows instructions obsessively, so everything should have been in order with my husbandry. There still was question of the well water I use that recently tested high in calcium, magnesium, and iron - but still considered safe by the water co and pet store said should be fine, so I continue to use it unless someone here says not to). Anyway, while sitting by the viv I saw what looks like a milkweed bug, but I'm not sure what it was, in the tank. I've seen these in the house before. They make a fruity odor when feel threatened. I removed it. Could Sloppy have eaten one of these bugs and was consequently poisoned? Anyone know if the sudden death could be explained by eating a poisonous insect?

My concern now is Froggy (the first one). What do we do now? Clean and replace everything in tank?
He currently seems the same as ever. Even eating a cricket this evening after everything settled.

Any advice on how to keep our remaining frog safe, healthy, and happy would be most deeply appreciated.

Thank you

[mommyof4froglovers]

Do you put any dechlorinator in the water? I am not sure about the metals in the water they could harm frogs if to high, but I know chlorine can kill them really quickly. Good luck with Froggy I hope he stays healthy. If you are worried about him having been sick then I would clean the tank if not and you think it was the water or something he ate no need to clean the tank. I am so sorry about your loss. It is hard loosing a frog no matter how long you have had them.

[Bolisnide]

Do you put any dechlorinator in the water? I am not sure about the metals in the water they could harm frogs if to high, but I know chlorine can kill them really quickly. Good luck with Froggy I hope he stays healthy. If you are worried about him having been sick then I would clean the tank if not and you think it was the water or something he ate no need to clean the tank. I am so sorry about your loss. It is hard loosing a frog no matter how long you have had them.

I don't use de-chlorinator as there is not chlorine in the water. I have been concerned about the high mineral content. I could definitely change to bottled spring water just in case...
And thanks for your sympathy, I am mostly concerned with my 4 yr old son who can't understand why his beloved pet is now gone.
And by the way, the frogs were only handled when necessary, so I don't think it would be caused from over-handling...

[mommyof4froglovers]

I have the same problem. Our whites belong to my 6, 5 and 3 year old. They have a huge home. But we had a frog who was deformed and we got him for free from a petstore that only lasted 3 days. It was hard on my 3 and 5 year old. I had to explain he came to us sick and we made his life better for the short time we had him, then I promised more frogs, so we went from 1 whites and 1 green tree frog (different tanks) to several more whites. I would probably change to bottled water and see if that helps. Its good you only handle when needed. I have to get our two female frogs everyday and make sure the go eat. But other than that we dont touch ours either unless we need to clean the tank or someone excapes.

[En333]

I'm so sorry for your loss.... :/

[Mentat]

...There still was question of the well water I use that recently tested high in calcium, magnesium, and iron - but still considered safe by the water co and pet store said should be fine, so I continue to use it unless someone here says not to). Anyway, while sitting by the viv I saw what looks like a milkweed bug, but I'm not sure what it was, in the tank. I've seen these in the house before. They make a fruity odor when feel threatened. I removed it. Could Sloppy have eaten one of these bugs and was consequently poisoned? Anyone know if the sudden death could be explained by eating a poisonous insect?...

Sorry for your frog's untimely death. Milkweed bugs, ladybugs, fireflies, and other bright insects either taste bad, are toxic, or both. Native animals know them by experience and don't consume them, however, many non-local pets do not share such instinct. A bearded dragon will happily eat a firefly only to die minutes later while owner tries to figure out what's going on. Milkweed bugs get their toxicity from the milkweed plant and if both are in your area (and you found one near cage) there's a possibility that's what happened to your frog.

If you are concerned with your water; some water conditioners also neutralize heavy metals on it. If buying bottled water make sure it's from a spring and has no chlorine or chloramines added. If so will need to add conditioner to it too.

[GrifTheGreat]

Even if your well water isn't chlorinated it needs a water conditioner /de-chlorinator to remove heavy metals and contents that can build up in their systems. Its an easy mistake and many have done so. Still it is not your fault because without someone to tell you this you would never know. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Without and expensive autopsy from a vet its hard to say what could have caused his death. Its always hard to read posts like this and I can surely feel your pain in your words. Its not your fault you did all you could do. Once again I'm sorry

[butcher]

Very sorry for your families loss.
I agree with Grif and Carlos the water conditioner still needs to be added.

[Bolisnide]

Thank you all.
What a stupid mistake!!!! I did ask on the forum about the water a couple times, but no one replied so I assumed it was OK. And with the pet store saying it was fine, I just assumed....
I'll be getting the water conditioner right away, and until then will use bottled spring water. The bottle says 'spring water', so I'll assume it's safe until I can get the water conditioner.
So no one seems to think it's necessary to completely break down the terrarium and clean it out?
Everyone believes it was the water or a poisonous insect and not a contagious illness?

[butcher]

I am far from an expert but I would just to side on caution, you can never be too sure without a vet examination.