Early Stages of Bloat Treatment

[Jenste]

One of my adult albino females, Phoenix, seems to be in a very early stage of bloat...over the past four days I have noticed a slight swelling in her abdomen and upper thighs.

I observed her for the past few days and the swelling definitely seems to be steadily (although slowly) increasing.

I did a salt bath last night and have begun a course of Maracyn II.

She is separated into her own ten gallon tank for treatment.

I was unable to take a picture as of yet (the swelling is barely noticeable yet except that I see her everyday and know what is not her "normal" appearance.)

Is there anything else you could recommend for me?
She is one of my personal favorites - very responsive to being "pet" and the female of my first successful breeding.

[Dejavudoo]

I believe Terry usually suggests that you can also give them salt baths. I think its about 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of treated water at 72 degrees F. Let it dissolve, and then let her soak for 30 minutes to an hour.

I hope your froggie gets better!!!

[Jenste]

Thank you dejavudoo....I actually have done the salt bath..I listed as one of the treatments I gave tried so far

[Dejavudoo]

Oops. Sorry then. For some reason I didn't see that part.

[Jenste]

no problem
I did another salt bath tonight...

besides the salt bath and Maracyn II I cant think of much else to do, can you?

[Dejavudoo]

As far as anything that I've read about bloat, I think you're pretty well covered. Except maybe for some prayers.

What I don't understand is that I keep hearing that ACFs are suppose to be such hardy frogs. But even people like you that I know keep wonderful care of their frogs have issues. What's going on???

[Jenste]

A few of the sites I have read said it is a kidney function failure which can strike any frog with weak kidneys - so I dont know.
I just know that if I lose her I am going to be beyond crushed. I hope I caught it early enough where it can be stopped.


I remembered to take a photo - - this is the angle that has me worried (remember - I said it looked to be in a very early stage so don't think I'm crazy!)


her thighs look huge to me....

[Dejavudoo]

Hmm. I had also recently joined a Yahoo group exclusively meant for dealing with ACFs. Lots of them have had problems with what they believe to be strokes. They believe that Bibbit and Freckles were also victims of strokes and that they are usually caused by bad water conditions. Just seeing lots of sick lil froggies.

Those thighs do look pretty thunderous. I truly hope she pulls through for you. I know you'll give her all the love and care she needs. It already speaks that you caught it so early. You're on your game. With it being so early I believe there's a very good chance she'll recover. Just hang in there. I've been playing frog doctor for a month so I know how difficult it can be. Good luck!!!

[tgampper]

Hi Jen:
I hope everything goes alright with your frog! I know that she'll get the best of care.

These frogs are tough and able to live through extreme conditions. Unfortunately, IMHO, they are victims to two major foes - genetics and atrazine. Since the 1930's, Xenopus has been used in pregnancy testing and genetic studies. I am sure that over the years, a "bad gene" has gotten into the mix, reducing their capability to adapt. Also, the herbicide, atrazine, is commonly used and getting into the water supply. This chemical is known to cause sex changes in Xenopus and probably a leading cause of neurological disorders, like strokes. I am afraid that we as frog keepers are going to experience more and more problems with clawed frogs. And to make matters worse, they are carriers of chytrid.

I suggest that all clawed frogs keepers use what I call the "super-trio", Stress-Coat, Lymnozyme and Stresszyme! Hopefully, this will reduce problems.

[Jenste]

some more pictures....

[tgampper]

Thanks for the pictures. Continue the salt and medication treatment until it clears up. She is a beautiful frog.

[Jenste]

Have been doing the nightly hour salt baths, Maracyn II and have added Stress-coat and Stress-zyme to the hospital tank...


Her swelling has not gotten any worse, but has not really gotten any better yet either (I do consider not getting any worse an improvement at least!)


Terry - where do you find Lymnozyme? I have checked 3 pet stores (2 chain and one privately owned) and none stock it.

[Dejavudoo]

I checked my local pet stores and neither of them carried it either. I had to buy mine from xenopus.com. It ran me about $22 with shipping.

[Jenste]

Nearly a week later, and the bloat has gotten no worse.

Not really better though either...
Still doing daily 1 hour dips and the Maracyn II treatment.

She has refused food since starting treatment...her Reptomin sticks go untouched and have to be removed after a while. Is this normal behavior due to all the medications and stresses of being moved into the salt bath daily?

[tgampper]

Hi Jen:

Glad that the bloating hasn't gotten worse. Medication and salt baths are stressful on the frog and lack of appetite is normal. I would reduce the salt/medication bath to 30 minutes for the next 3 days. If the bloating improves or remains the same, then return the frog to its normal environment. If possible, get a fecal sample and have it checked by a vet. Even if the vet is totally clueless about frogs, they will be able to determine if the frog has parasites.

[Geoff]

Jen, Your frog doesn't look typical of those I've seen in photographs suffering with "bloat". I can't offer you any solution unfortunately, but have you considered the possibility that your frog may have a problem with its digestive system and that what you can see at its rear end is a prolapsed rectum? Again, I'm sorry I can't offer a solution.

[Jenste]

bloat starts as subtle swelling that usually goes unnoticed by most owners unless they have a habit of constantly staring at the tank

I also have her next to a few females of similar age, and it was easier to see the tiny differences.

Bloat is most often treatable when caught very early on - She does seem to be improving.

She is still active like normal and her thighs seem less plump today - a good sign!

Still doing the Maracyn II treatment as prescribed and am downgrading to half our salt baths due to her improvement.

[Jenste]

see? I do believe her thighs are significantly less thunderous

I will continue to treat her for the next week as a precaution - will most likely release her back into the 72 gallon on new years eve (maybe at midnight haha)

[tgampper]

The frog is looking good! I think she will be ready for the 72-gallon soon.

[Jenste]

unfortunately the bloat is back and getting worse. Now when she swims her whole body jiggles due to the fluid under the skin. I am charging the camera now when she is in a salt bath. I will upload pics and hopefully a video in a couple hours. my hopes aren't high this time...it is already worse then it was when she had first gotten it in december.

Terry - any suggestions? Do I do another course of Maracyn II or just stick to salt baths this time?