Somewhat SCARED for my new Pacman!

[Camden]

I just got my new pacman about 3 days ago now, I've made it a point to have a good heat/lighting source, attempt to feed him (He hasnt eaten yet), sprits is substrate with water everyday, put new water in the dish everyday, I'm not sure whats wrong.
I woke up this morning and opened up the tank so I could change the water etc etc.
He was moving sluggishly, I gently felt him and his skin felt dry, I put him in his water dish for a moment and spritsed the substrate.
After I was done and closed the tank, he jumped out back to the substrate, and as I'm writing this he hopped back to his water dish.
So now that hes not moving so sluggishly I suppose he's doing better, any suggestions on whats going on?

PS. There was no gunk in his eyes, no build up anywhere.

[Sublime]

This seems most closely related to the symptoms of your frogs behavior right now:

Acts spasmodic, is active but loses weight, dry skin.
Worms.
Treat with ERGAMISOL(LEVAMISOLE) 1 drop in 3 drops of tepid water, pour water over frog's back, then place and leave one drop on its back. Duration: 7 days.

I would wait a few more days before diagnosing him with possibility of having worms. Just keep his substrate moist, keep changing the water like you're doing (de-chlorinated), and keep the temperature and humidity up to where it's supposed to be. Temperature 80-85F Daytime (Few drop in degrees at night), Humidity 70-80%. Let him acclimate in his new environment, it's most likely moving stress that has caused him to not be interested in food as of now.

Here's the Basic Frog First Aid as a reference if you want to look it over to get a good understanding of all the common illnesses of a frog and how to treat:

Frog Forum - Basic Frog First Aid

Hope you get him to eat soon. Good luck.

[Camden]

Thanks so much! I've actually figured out whats wrong, I have a low, 4 wat heating pad, and it was on the bottom, drying him out. I'm going to put it on the side, and if that doesnt work then I will try your method.

[Sublime]

Yeah no problem. That is most likely the problem, on the side is where the heating pads should always be. Frogs will become dehydrated, and possibly burn themselves burying to the floor where a heating pad is. It's a natural instinct for a frog to burrow or move away from a heat source, so the problems faced with having a heating pad where they're going to try to cool off is bad for them. Plus you face problems like if you put your frog through aestivation and they're sleeping on the heat pad... They will die.

Heat pads on the side allow a temperature gradient for them to move to or away. Is your room already warm enough to just have a heating pad rather than an additional heat source like a lamp fixture?

[Camden]

Well its a tiny one, it only covers not even half the bottom of it, would it be better if I just put something like a thin dish towel or hand towel betweent he heating pad and the bottom of the tank?

[Sublime]

No, just don't put the heating pad on the bottom regardless of the size. It's not beneficial for your animal and causes problems. Take it easy.

[GrifTheGreat]

The only thing you can prevent with your UTH on the bottom is burns. You can buy a terrarium liner which is lik carpet and plac it in side the terrarium and cover it with the substrate. It only prevents burns it doesn't prevent overheating and dehydration from your frog sleeping over the UTH. Always place it on the side of the tank. If you're going to use lights buy a lamp that has a dimmer awitch so you can adjust the amount of light and heat being put out by the bulb.

[BG]

This poor frog is getting fried. Don't get nervous. The frog is trying to tell you its too hot and stressed. Remove the pad from the bottom. Is the pad the right size for your tank. Make sure. Is it in the right place. Put it on the side of the tank as far as you can go from the bowl. After you accomplished all that keep him in a dark room with temp 80/humidity 65. Let hem settle down for 2 days. Don't even go see him. If you do do it very quietly. You and your frog are stressed right now.

[Camden]

I have no where else to put him, but he seems fine, I was planning on just leaving him alone anyway, I put the heating pad on the side now, but like i said, I have no where else to put him, my room is the most quiet room in the house for there are 6 dogs living here. should I keep my lights off or keep him on his 12 hour cycle? And should I keep trying to feed him or absolutely do nothing to him? Including changing his water and all that.

[BG]

How big is the tank. Can you put him in a 16 qt box with coco fiber and 1/4 inch holes on top side of box. Put him in the warmest room.Spray Little and put crickets in the box.Coat them first. and check up on him every hour cause your frog is week. the crickets could do damage. My babies are killers right now .

[Camden]

It's just a 5 gallon tank right now, thats another thing, my room is the warmest room in my house because my bed covers the vent, anywhere else would either be too cold or too noisy. I think hes fine, hes burrowed down, he's acting like he was when I got it, which was just 3 days ago.

[BG]

Check out one of my temporary grow out containers. Its clear 8x8x4 . He is thriving. The room is dark 80 temp/65 hum.See the temp of the room. See how small the container is . See what he has in his mouth. Its a fat dubia coated with repti-cal. He stays in the dark. He is aggressive to eat.

[GrifTheGreat]

Your pac ptobably was overheated and dehydrated. You might have helped him/her by giving the little guy/girl a soak immediately. Keep an eye on him/her like BG said. The 5 gallon might be fine as long as you maintain the temp and humidity. Make sure the coco fiber is moist so you frog doesn't get anymore stressed and can rehydrate easier. The day night cycle should be maintained as well as long as the lights aren't too hot and bright. Try to stay calm they can sence that you are stressed too.

[BG]

Test the temps in the room. If its 77 and up don't use heater. Make sure he has water. Let him get comfy.

It's just a 5 gallon tank right now, thats another thing, my room is the warmest room in my house because my bed covers the vent, anywhere else would either be too cold or too noisy. I think hes fine, hes burrowed down, he's acting like he was when I got it, which was just 3 days ago.

[GrifTheGreat]

If you are going to re-use the same heating pad, you must be VERY careful when you remove it. Take it off as flat as possible. If it bends, you can break the small wiring and coil components within the heater. This can cause the UTH to overheat and endanger your frog. If the wiring is corrupted it will produce too much heat for the tank and possibly even catch fire. Be very careful if you re-use it.