Quarantine

[flybyferns]

We see , hear , and read about newly acquired frogs and NO quarantine !!!!

There are so many sick frogs ! This is a must to prevent a disaster !

Many possible problems can be completely avoided by the use of simple quarantine procedures. This should be a common practice regardless if the frog is WC or CB. You simply do not know what conditions the frogs were kept in prior to owning them.

Proper quarantine procedure is done specifically to PREVENT transmission of diseases and parasites as a result of poor conditions…. private/professional breeder/big box/ or herp retailer. It is ,also, as equally important not take a frog form one enclosure ant put it directly into another.

A simple quarantine procedure should be a minimum of one month or more. Many people do not move a frog from quarantine until they have had a negative fecal test.

Use a sterilized container preferably with objects such as plants, hides and water dishes that can and have been sterilized as well. Simple paper towel , dampened with de-chlorinated water is used.

Keep things as clean as possible ---- like a lab environment ( think of it as a science experiment) … until you are sure the frog is healthy ! Better safe than sorry !

What should we do ?
Keep it simple ! When in doubt – quarantine ALL newly acquired frogs separately!

Here are some scenarios:

-1 frog is purchased and shipped to you – a quarantine period is needed

- 1 frog is purchased at show - a quarantine period is needed

- More than one frog is purchased and shipped to you in the same container – chances are you can quarantine them together- --- BUT USE CAUTION call first , ask questions!!!

Keep in mind - if 2 or more frogs are quarantined together and there is a problem -- You will be treating each frog !!!!!

-More than one frog is purchased at a show from the same display enclosure- chances are you can quarantine them together
BUT USE CAUTION - ask the vendor / breeder

ie – a vendor may have more than one source ( friends / breeders etc) of one species – then put them together in the display enclosure at a show . Yikes ! This is trouble waiting to happen !

More than one frog is purchased at a show from a table in separate deli containers- quarantine them separately

More than one frog is purchased at a show from different vendors - quarantine them separately!!!

More than one frog is purchased from ANY “ big box” pet shop- quarantine them separately . Even if they were housed together !!!

More than one frog is purchased from a herp retailer/store ( that were being housed together ) quarantine them separately

Quarantine resources as a result of a quick internet search:

The Frog Doctor

CDC - Emerging Pathogen of Wild Amphibians in Frogs (Rana catesbeiana) Farmed for International Trade

POLLYWOGS WORLD OF FROGS

Origin of Amphibian Chytrid Fungus | CDC EID

Overview of Amphibian Diseases

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PH...owicz-2005.pdf

ScienceDirect - Fungal Biology Reviews : The relationship between the emergence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the international trade in amphibians and introduced amphibian species

[flybyferns]

We see , hear , and read about newly acquired frogs and NO quarantine !!!!

There are so many sick frogs ! This is a must to prevent a disaster !

Many possible problems can be completely avoided by the use of simple quarantine procedures. This should be a common practice regardless if the frog is WC or CB. You simply do not know what conditions the frogs what kept in prior to owning it.

Proper quarantine procedure is done specifically to PREVENT transmission of diseases and parasites. This includes transmission of diseases and parasites as a result of poor conditions…. private/professional breeder/big box/ or herp retailer. It is ,also, as equally important not take a frog form one enclosure ant put it directly into another.

A simple quarantine procedure should be a minimum of one month or more. Many people do not move a frog from quarantine until they have had a negative fecal test.

Use a sterilized container preferably with objects such as plants, hides and water dishes that can and have been sterilized as well. Simple paper towel , dampened with de-chlorinated water is used.

Keep things as clean as possible ---- like a lab environment ( think of it as a science experiment) … until you are sure the frog is healthy ! Better safe than sorry !

What should we do ?
Keep it simple ! When in doubt – quarantine ALL newly acquired frogs separately!

Here are some scenarios:

-1 frog is purchased and shipped to you – a quarantine period is needed

- 1 frog is purchased at show - a quarantine period is needed

- More than one frog is purchased and shipped to you in the same container – chances are you can quarantine them together- --- BUT USE CAUTION call first , ask questions!!!

Keep in mind - if 2 or more frogs are quarantined together and there is a problem -- You will be treating each frog !!!!!

-More than one frog is purchased at a show from the same display enclosure- chances are you can quarantine them together
BUT USE CAUTION - ask the vendor / breeder

ie – a vendor may have more than one source ( friends / breeders etc) of one species – then put them together in the display enclosure at a show . Yikes ! This is trouble waiting to happen !

More than one frog is purchased at a show from a table in separate deli containers- quarantine them separately

More than one frog is purchased at a show from different vendors - quarantine them separately!!!

More than one frog is purchased from ANY “ big box” pet shop- quarantine them separately . Even if they were housed together !!!

More than one frog is purchased from a herp retailer/store ( that were being housed together ) quarantine them separately

Quarantine resources as a result of a quick internet search:

The Frog Doctor

https://www.google.com/search?q=CDC+...hrome&ie=UTF-8

POLLYWOGS WORLD OF FROGS

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=...ed=0CCwQgQMwAA

Overview of Amphibian Diseases

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PH...owicz-2005.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...49461307000085

[Jenste]

Really great topic to bring up. No matter how many times we stress "Quarantine Quarantine Quarantine"....
Stickied it to bring it to the attention of newer members.

[flybyferns]

Really great topic to bring up. No matter how many times we stress "Quarantine Quarantine Quarantine"....
Stickied it to bring it to the attention of newer members.

Thank you, Jen

[tinkgirl77]

Great lynn! Just what we needed!

[Heatheranne]

Lynn, this is a great post!

This is so important to getting a good clean start with our frogs/toads. It prevents contamination, allows us to monitor them closely and allows us to medically treat them when ailments or diseases are present.

This should be one of the basic first teachings in amphibian care. The second being the proper husbandry of the frog in ownership.

The quarantining will save you much grief in the long run.

Thank you, Lynn!

[kissfan4ever]

The prob is different sites say to quarantine for different times. This site The Frog Doctor says a week so I was all set to do that but then on another site I read 45 days which lead me to post here and people here say a month minimum. So I am glad I asked her though I was hoping a week so I could give my frog a buddy soon but I would also be very upset if one or both died cause I didn't quarantine right.

[N3XU5]

Thanks for posting these Quarantine tips.

[flybyferns]

Thanks for posting these Quarantine tips.

Mark,
You're welcome!
I hope it has helped.

[kissfan4ever]

question: can i use the tank / container used for quarantine as temp housing for the frogs when ineed to clean their tank?

[flybyferns]

Bumping this !

Just want everyone to remember how important it is to QUARANTINE all newly reacquired frogs !

Set up a medicine cabinet as you WILL need it

http://www.frogforum.net/tree-frogs/...-supplies.html

[nok1888]

Just so I'm 100% sure, the exotic reptile shop I go to has 4-5 Darts in each of their terrariums, I will be buying from them in the future. If I buy say all 5 of them will I still need to separate them in quarantine before puting them in their proper home. I will be setting up a live terrarium if that makes a difference

Thanks


-------------------------------------------
2.0 Border Collies - Jinky and Chance
3.0 Cats - Monty, Dodger and Crunchie
1.1 Royal Pythons Orlina and Sedrick
0.1 BCI Boa - Aasia
1.0 Western Hognose - Hagrid
0.1 Bearded Dragon - iiara

[tinkgirl77]

Hey nok,
as lynne posted in the opening post, you should be able to quarantine all 5 of the little guys together in a separate, more simple, quarantine tank. Since they lived together at the store, chances are if they have parasites or anything else, in theory they will all share the critters together since they live together already. You just should and taking all five of them and putting them directly into your new clean viv. Quarantine gives you the chance to get to know them, monitor them closely , watch their eating and pooping habits.

Does that help clarify? Hope it does. Have a great day!

Lisa

[nok1888]

Aye I read it but just wanted to make doubly sure lol thanks


-------------------------------------------
2.0 Border Collies - Jinky and Chance
3.0 Cats - Monty, Dodger and Crunchie
1.1 Royal Pythons Orlina and Sedrick
0.1 BCI Boa - Aasia
1.0 Western Hognose - Hagrid
0.1 Bearded Dragon - iiara

[kissfan4ever]

I just finished reading a book that is very good for people thinking of getting a frog (though I've had mine for 3 months now I still learned stuff) anyway, in the book it said to quarenitne new frogs but says for a week. Also says that on the frog doctor. So now I'm confused. These sources are by other frog owners. The book's author handled lots. And this forum is used by people who have frogs..I'd love to quarantine for a week (it would be 3 more white's tree frogs)

[deranged chipmunk]

Please remember that 30 days is a guideline, just as a week is a guideline there are so rules set in stone for the hobby. If you want to quarantine for only a week, that is your prerogative. They are your animals, and you can do as you please with them. Me, personally? I quarantine for a month. It allows my tank to cycle, and it gives me numerous feedings and bowel movements from the animal to observe. I cannot tell you how many threads are in the tree frog forum, for example, that started with "I have had my frog for two weeks and everything was fine......" Had they quarantined for a month, they wouldn't be tearing a tank apart to disinfect. To be honest, this is the first I have ever heard of a 7 day quarantine, for frogs or any animal in a glass cage. I even quarantine fish for 30 days before they go into my tanks.

I always think of it this way, what is more important, my impatience or the health of the animal that I chose to take care of?

[Mentat]

I just finished reading a book that is very good for people thinking of getting a frog (though I've had mine for 3 months now I still learned stuff) anyway, in the book it said to quarenitne new frogs but says for a week. Also says that on the frog doctor. So now I'm confused. These sources are by other frog owners. The book's author handled lots. And this forum is used by people who have frogs..I'd love to quarantine for a week (it would be 3 more white's tree frogs)

I've edited your post and will contact via PM. There is information available on every subject on books, publications, videos and the net. Some of it will disagree because humans do not generally agree on anything. At FF most of us recommend a minimum 4 week quarantine period with 2 negative fecals two weeks apart. There are many good reasons for it to include pathogen life cycles which exceed a one week period. You are welcome to follow our recommendations... or not. Your choice !

[kissfan4ever]

it's just very confusng..started another frog book..about tree frogs and this one says a month quarentine. i won't be getting new frogs til spring anyway..i can bet i'll be posting about it and evn b4 i get them to prepare for quarentine etc. i trust you all, this is my first frog and will be gwtting my 2nd, 3rd and 4th in early april. you guys probably have had 4 by now

[kissfan4ever]

I've edited your post and will contact via PM. There is information available on every subject on books, publications, videos and the net. Some of it will disagree because humans do not generally agree on anything. At FF most of us recommend a minimum 4 week quarantine period with 2 negative fecals two weeks apart. There are many good reasons for it to include pathogen life cycles which exceed a one week period. You are welcome to follow our recommendations... or not. Your choice !

i know quarentine is a good idea. know frogs take awhile to show they are sick. i'm just confused (and yes impatiot, my little guy looks like he wants a friend...or 3 but i'd be sad if they all died) i have a lot to figure out about quarentine before i get new frogs.

[flybyferns]

~ bump ~

A reminder for all members to be mindful of how important quarantine is !