Need help injured wild frog :(

[Brandon Lee Hoover]

This is a copy paste from my Yahoo Answers forums TLDR: he got kind of curled up in the door and his back legs don't work I think his spine was injured.


Today while letting my puppy out to chase the squirrels I opened my sliding glass door fast so the sound wouldn't give them enough time to get away before she had a chance to chase them well anyway this terrible terrible crying started like a babykitten was being stepped on it was the saddest thing I've heard in as long as I can remember. My mother and I began looking everywhere trying to find its source. It was a frog who had been chilling in the space between my sliding door and its top track.

We tried and tried to get him out but he was stuck. Finally after using a contraption made from taped together straws and pencils we managed to get his leg free from the door, but he just wouldn't come out probably scared. So we left him to try and see if he would come out.

Several hours later we here a plop and a 3-4 inch brown tree frog falls from the area, but his legs, they don't work. Hes crawling and dragging himself fighting for his little life and its so sad.

We decided instead of letting the down or neighborhood cats get him while hes helpless we picke dhim up and put him into a plastic box with some water.

What should we do? I think hes paralyzed in his back legs? Should i try ti nurse him back to health or just put the little guy out of his misery?

[DonLisk]

Well, the choice here is whether your going to care for him for the rest of his life since setting him free will be his demise.
His back legs are not going to function again if they are mutilated. He would also have other internal injuries.

This is a very hard choice and since I keep frogs, I would attempt to care for him myself understanding that he couldn't be returned to the back yard since he would only have front legs to move, travel and thus have no option for escape in a needed situation.

If your thinking of taking him in, then your going to need to put together something that will hold humidity and proper temperatures, provide a serial place to recover, and then have a place to hid to reduce stress. Wet white paper towels with declorinated water and place on the bottom of a tupperware container with some fake leaves will work, and have some air holes or screen to allow some airflow. The wounds would need attention routinely and the paper towel needs to be changed when dirty and at least daily. This would also need to be placed in a quiet and low traffic are in the home with temps around 72 minimum and 80 on the high end.

Frogs are easily stressed and this will also cause health issues. You will also probably need to utilize a herp vet to obtain meds based on the size of the frog.

I want to note that there is a post here on the forum where someone did take in a frog in a similar situation that has survived in their care.

If you decide to put him down then you can apply neosporin with benzocaine painkiller on his back. The benzocaine is what kills them and this is a very humane way to put them down.

So sorry to hear your put in this situation and hope all good luck in what ever your decide.

[GrifTheGreat]

I agree with Don. As he said this frog will need constant care. I am like him and would try to care for and save the frog. Try and keep stress down and keep him warm. Humidity is neede to help prevent dehydration. He won't be able to stay in water because his hind legs not working can cause him to drown. Also the water will become cool and he may go into hypothermic shock which will also kill him.

If you deside to keep and care for him there are many experianced keepers here that can try and advise you as Don is doing.

He has more of a chance for survival with your help.

[flybyferns]

I agree with Don. As he said this frog will need constant care. I am like him and would try to care for and save the frog. Try and keep stress down and keep him warm. Humidity is neede to help prevent dehydration. He won't be able to stay in water because his hind legs not working can cause him to drown. Also the water will become cool and he may go into hypothermic shock which will also kill him.

If you deside to keep and care for him there are many experianced keepers here that can try and advise you as Don is doing.

He has more of a chance for survival with your help.

Oh, I'm so sorry.
It can't hurt to try in spite of his injuries.
Follow all Don's instructions and advice on quarantine quarters for him!
You will need to be persistent. We would really like to know how he makes out.
Lynn

[Brandon Lee Hoover]

Well, the choice here is whether your going to care for him for the rest of his life since setting him free will be his demise.
His back legs are not going to function again if they are mutilated. He would also have other internal injuries.

This is a very hard choice and since I keep frogs, I would attempt to care for him myself understanding that he couldn't be returned to the back yard since he would only have front legs to move, travel and thus have no option for escape in a needed situation.

If your thinking of taking him in, then your going to need to put together something that will hold humidity and proper temperatures, provide a serial place to recover, and then have a place to hid to reduce stress. Wet white paper towels with declorinated water and place on the bottom of a tupperware container with some fake leaves will work, and have some air holes or screen to allow some airflow. The wounds would need attention routinely and the paper towel needs to be changed when dirty and at least daily. This would also need to be placed in a quiet and low traffic are in the home with temps around 72 minimum and 80 on the high end.

Frogs are easily stressed and this will also cause health issues. You will also probably need to utilize a herp vet to obtain meds based on the size of the frog.

I want to note that there is a post here on the forum where someone did take in a frog in a similar situation that has survived in their care.

If you decide to put him down then you can apply neosporin with benzocaine painkiller on his back. The benzocaine is what kills them and this is a very humane way to put them down.

So sorry to hear your put in this situation and hope all good luck in what ever your decide.

I got him a large clear tupperware container and cleaned it out good and put some damp paper towels and leaves in like you said. I probably will not be able to afford a vet visit but the little guy is growing on me. I'm going to purchase him some crickets tomorrow if he makes it through the week I will get him a proper environment set up. We are in Florida and it doesnt drop much below 70 even this time of year. My rooms is also a few degrees warmer do to my computer. I honestly never saw myself getting a frog but if he survives this I can't imagine letting him go to be easy prey. He worried me for a bit as he wasn't moving and seemed to go to sleep but when i moved him to his new home (very carefulled with a spatula underneath as to not move his spine much) he became a bit more lively his eyes are open and he es crawling around exploring the box, but still no movement in his back legs besides a slight twitch now and again. Right now he is on my computer desk only I come in my room and about once a week my girlfriend lowest traffic area in the home. Anything else I can do would be taken to heart. I have a soft spot for all creatures

Also its 73 in my home atm is there any quick way to make sure he stays humid and warm? I'm very worried about the little guy i know how sensitive water animals are to temperature. But then again he is a wild frog it gets to around 40 on the coldest nights here and hes made it this far I doubt it will drop below 65 outside tonight my room no less than 70.

[S13]

I'm glad to see that you are going to give him a shot man Sucks that you had to become a frog keeper under these circumstances but if he pulls through, he'll probably be the best companion you ever keep as a pet. I'm hoping for positive results on my end. Good luck.

[Brandon Lee Hoover]

I'm trying to take some pictures but all i have atm is a low quality phone camera. If one of you could perhaps help identify him once I do that would be great

Edit I found out hes a Cuban Treefrog a non native species that harms the ecosystem. So if he doesn't improve I will have to euthanize

[GrifTheGreat]

I'm trying to take some pictures but all i have atm is a low quality phone camera. If one of you could perhaps help identify him once I do that would be great

Edit I found out hes a Cuban Treefrog a non native species that harms the ecosystem. So if he doesn't improve I will have to euthanize

You wouldn't have to euthanize him if he is kept as a pet right? He is not going to do any harm within your care. Especially if he lives his life with you kept in your home.