Hello

[StephenLS]

I've tried crickets, wax worms, moths and small locusts.

They seem in good health so they must be eating but I've only seen it a couple of times - I really need to spend a couple of nights just watching them!

[1beataway]

Do wax worms immediately try to burrow like mealworms do?

I'm excited. I was so determined, though, not to buy an animal at this reptile expo. And then I fell in love with the frog.

Actually, I was hoping for clown tree frogs, but there were none. And then I fell in love with the leaf frog.

[StephenLS]

Also I dust mine with a calcium/vitamin dust once a week....and I've purchased a frog worming solution to use on them - don't know about in the US but they are damn expensive over here and I want to keep them in tip top shape!

[1beataway]

Deworming for frogs is something I have never heard of. Anyone care to explain some more?

[Kurt]

Deworming for frogs is something I have never heard of. Anyone care to explain some more?

Most wild caught amphibians will have some form of gastrointestinal parasite load. Being new to captivity, a new animal is under stress and so its immunity system weakens, leaving vulnerable to a bloom of GI parasites. So that is why "de-worm" new animals, its to give them a fighting chance.

I use metronidazole to kill protozoa and fenbendazole to kill worms. Both drugs are administer orally and treatments should be spread apart by at least three days. In other words don't give both drugs at the same time.

A veterinarian should be the one to administer the drugs, as most people do not have access to these drugs or the knowledge to do this. A fecal float should also be performed by your vet using a sample that is no longer than 24 hours old. Also the sample shouldn't be taken from a water bowl or similar, as it will not test properly.


How does Levacol work if you are placing on the back of the neck? How does it get to the gastrointestinal track to kill the parasites there. Something just doesn't make sense to me. Maybe someone can explain it to me, as I have never heard of this drug.

Also I have clown treefrogs, nah-nah-nah-nah.

[1beataway]

I'll have to find a vet then!

I want clown tree frogs.

I set up my vivarium for my dumpies. I'll post pics when I figure out how.

[Kurt]

When you post go advance and click on the paper clip.

[1beataway]

I got it. They're in the First Vivarium thread.

[StephenLS]

Hi Kurt

I've done a bit of googling and Levacol is a brand name for Levasimole that is targeted specifically at dartftog keepers in europe.

It is a popular treatment for roundworm and parasites in swine and is quite widely used and recommended on European Amphib websites.

Can't work out how it works though - presumably absorbed through the skin?

[StephenLS]

They do burrow but not straight away. You can put them in a shallow bowl - but it isn't a major problem if they burrow as they pupate and become tasty moths!

I am similarly weak willed and always end up coming home with something new from shows!

ps - Clown Tree Frogs are awesome - I've wanted some for ages as-well!

[StephenLS]

I think the stuff I've got is called Levacol - you just put a drop on the back of the frog's neck! I'm not sure what anyone else is using?

[1beataway]

Do the frogs bury themselves all the time? How deep is your substrate and what do you use? Soil, moss, leaves?

[StephenLS]

My substrate is the coco fibre stuff you can get in compressed packs - it's about 3 inches in depth but this is mainly for the benefit of the plants as the frogs don't seem to burrow - they do however like to hide in their cave.

A layer of leaves on top should suffice!