Sick FBT

[maranda]

We have 2 fire belly toads. Today we found one on its back, struggling. We flipped it back over and it is seeming very lethargic and one eye seems cloudy. It's color (top and bottom) is still good. It isn't time to feed it again until morning, so I don't know if it is eating or not. We are located in a very small town without access to an exotic animal vet. The other frog is active and fine. Could it have inhaled some water while upside down?

[Jace]

Sorry to hear about your toad. My first suggestion to you would be to quarantine your toad away from your healthy one. A simple setup consisting of a secure small plastic critter cage, filled with paper towel, a small plant for cover and a small, low filled water dish will suffice. This will allow you to better observe him/her and be able to feed it separately and see if it is actually eating or not. Not being able to see the toad or observe it, it will be hard to say exactly what is wrong. Are you able to take a picture of it, especially the eye? My second question is the feeding: are you dusting the crickets at least twice a week with a calcium and vitamin supplement (once a week for each)? As well, what kind of setup do you have your toads in? Hopefully we will be able to help you and your toad.

[maranda]

I will post a pic this morning. My toads are in a 10 gallon aquarium with aquarium gravel and fairly large moss covered rocks for land and about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom which I change weekly. I am feeding the crickets Fluker's Orange Cube Complete Cricket Diet. According to the label it has all the calcium, vitamin, etc., that the frogs need.The picture on the left, you can see how it's eye is kind of foggy looking, it is a little swollen looking too.

[Jace]

The eye does look cloudy and swollen. Without access to a vet, I would definitely recommend separating the two toads so you can observe the sick toad and keep the hospital setup in pristine conditions. Your tank setup sounds okay, though I would be careful using aquarium gravel. Some of the rocks in the pics look rather small, and I have had toads almost swallow gravel in their enthusiasm to eat. Without a vet at hand and medications, there is not much you can do except try and get your toad to eat and keep everything around it as clean as possible. FBTs are pretty tough and usually pull through minor issues without medical attention. The toad is a good weight, so it just might have the grits to tough this out. Unless someone else has something to offer, I am not sure what more I can tell you. Best of luck and keep me posted.

[maranda]

thanks for the advice! She (I don't know if it is male or female but I hate "it") has been a bit more active today, she did eat, not a cricket but a bit of earthworm. Hopefully she will tough it out. I will keep you posted.

[Firebelly love]

I don't know what to say other than, I hope your toad makes it.