Pacman frog emergency-excessive shedding, bloated, hasnt eaten in a long time

[JP89]

My frog hasnt eaten in a while and up until recently that was the only issue. He has now been shedding excessively, pretty much everytime hes in a water bath. He is also bloated on his sides. I know some of you might think its toxic out syndrome but I always condition his water. I've done some research and found out that these are symptoms for chytrid fungus. I am just posting this to see if anyone has any input on this matter. Much appreciated.

[GrifTheGreat]

My frog hasnt eaten in a while and up until recently that was the only issue. He has now been shedding excessively, pretty much everytime hes in a water bath. He is also bloated on his sides. I know some of you might think its toxic out syndrome but I always condition his water. I've done some research and found out that these are symptoms for chytrid fungus. I am just posting this to see if anyone has any input on this matter. Much appreciated.

I'm not going to rule out chytrid, but there are several diseases as well as other problems this could be. Ill start with some questions for you to answer.

1) What are the temps and humidity levels within the enclosure?

2) You say you de-chlorinate your frogs water, but when you expand the substrate do you also use de-chlorinated water for the substrate?

3) How long has it been since your frog has eaten?

4) Do you dust your frog's food with a multivitamin once a week and a calcium supplement every other feeding also providing vitamin D3?

5) What does the shed look like? Dry and flakey or just slimy looking strands? What color is the shed skin?

6) Has your frog lost weight?

7) What does the bloate feel like? Is it hard or soft?

8) is your frog lathargic or listliss?

9) When he sheds his skin on his own does he have trouble pulling it all off in one piece to his mouth?

10) How often do you change his water and substrate?

11) How long has it been since your frog pooped?

Answer these questions as accurately as possible and keep me posted.

[JP89]

I'm not going to rule out chytrid, but there are several diseases as well as other problems this could be. Ill start with some questions for you to answer.

1) What are the temps and humidity levels within the enclosure?

2) You say you de-chlorinate your frogs water, but when you expand the substrate do you also use de-chlorinated water for the substrate?

3) How long has it been since your frog has eaten?

4) Do you dust your frog's food with a multivitamin once a week and a calcium supplement every other feeding also providing vitamin D3?

5) What does the shed look like? Dry and flakey or just slimy looking strands? What color is the shed skin?

6) Has your frog lost weight?

7) What does the bloate feel like? Is it hard or soft?

8) is your frog lathargic or listliss?

9) When he sheds his skin on his own does he have trouble pulling it all off in one piece to his mouth?

10) How often do you change his water and substrate?

11) How long has it been since your frog pooped?

Answer these questions as accurately as possible and keep me posted.

The temp on the hot side is at 85 and the cool side around 75. Humidity levels usually stay around 80%. Yes I use dechlorinated water for the substrate. Its been a couple of months and I wasn't too worried about that because he did the same thing last year during the same period of time. It gets cold here during the winter so I just thought it was a form of hibernation. He doesnt shed normally, usually when hes in the water i see pieces of slimey skin on him and i peel it off slowly. Other times i just see pieces floating in the water. The skin appear brown once peeled off. My frog didnt seem to lose weight but now I cant tell due to his bloated appearance. He feels squishy when I touch him. Hmmm I wouldnt say hes lethargic but he does move around once in a while. He seems very alert as well. Another thing is that he closes his eyes for long periods of time. As of right now I put him into a quarantine tank with paper towel. I changed his substrate once a month and his water daily or when soiled. He hasn't pooped in a long time since he hasnt eaten in a while. I force fed him a couple of weeks ago and he ate the worms. But now when I try to force feed him he just spits it out. I dont think its impaction because his belly doesnt have any form of a hard lump. Hope this answers all fo your questions. Thanks for the help

[GrifTheGreat]

The temp on the hot side is at 85 and the cool side around 75. Humidity levels usually stay around 80%. Yes I use dechlorinated water for the substrate. Its been a couple of months and I wasn't too worried about that because he did the same thing last year during the same period of time. It gets cold here during the winter so I just thought it was a form of hibernation. He doesnt shed normally, usually when hes in the water i see pieces of slimey skin on him and i peel it off slowly. Other times i just see pieces floating in the water. The skin appear brown once peeled off. My frog didnt seem to lose weight but now I cant tell due to his bloated appearance. He feels squishy when I touch him. Hmmm I wouldnt say hes lethargic but he does move around once in a while. He seems very alert as well. Another thing is that he closes his eyes for long periods of time. As of right now I put him into a quarantine tank with paper towel. I changed his substrate once a month and his water daily or when soiled. He hasn't pooped in a long time since he hasnt eaten in a while. I force fed him a couple of weeks ago and he ate the worms. But now when I try to force feed him he just spits it out. I dont think its impaction because his belly doesnt have any form of a hard lump. Hope this answers all fo your questions. Thanks for the help

Does he have any lesions or sores on his skin?

Hmmm if he feels squishy would you say it feels like he is full of liquid?

You can treat a bloat with salt water, but you have to use salt that doesn't contain iodine. Sea salt is best. You can prepare a bath of luke warm to warm water. Just under 80 degrees. You can disolve 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of sea salt disolved in the water before soaking him. Make sure the water is no deeper than up to his chin.

Without a specialist to test samples of the skin it is hard to diagnose chytrid. I can't be sure. Jessica from IvoryReptiles can also assist in this issue. Hopefully she will see this post and give me a hand helping you.

[JP89]

Does he have any lesions or sores on his skin?

Hmmm if he feels squishy would you say it feels like he is full of liquid?

You can treat a bloat with salt water, but you have to use salt that doesn't contain iodine. Sea salt is best. You can prepare a bath of luke warm to warm water. Just under 80 degrees. You can disolve 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of sea salt disolved in the water before soaking him. Make sure the water is no deeper than up to his chin.

Without a specialist to test samples of the skin it is hard to diagnose chytrid. I can't be sure. Jessica from IvoryReptiles can also assist in this issue. Hopefully she will see this post and give me a hand helping you.

He has two tiny sores but they seem like they have healed over. I never noticed them. They aren't red or brighly coloured, they have a very light pink hue to them.Yes, he feels like hes full of water. I can partially see through his underside and it seems like a clear liquid.I've tried the saltwater treatment and I dont see any difference. I actually think he got a bit larger after the initial soak. Must I do these soaks on a daily basis ? Also regarding the chytrid treatment, I was preparing to have him treated with that exact remedy but I soon found out that lamisil AT is a prescribed medication here.

[IvoryReptiles]

There are other treatments as well, one uses an eye ointment.....Google "Chytrid Fungus Treatments" there are many articles out there. Lamasil is an over the counter foot fungus treatment in the US, I had no idea it was prescription only in your area.

[IvoryReptiles]

If you suspect the Chytrid Fungus is the issue, then I suggest you treat him for it. It is a very simple treatment and only takes 10 days.

This link has some great info : Chytrid Fungus « Amphibian Ark

Here is a method of treatment :

You need to get Lamisil AT spray (don’t get the paste) only. This is a foot fungus remedy for people found at most drug stores...

You need 1ml of the spray to 200 ml of treated water (approx 10 squirts ( 1ml) of spray into the treated water approx (6 1/2 ounzes) )........

Using a small plastic throw away type cup (any will do as long as you can get rid of it after). Place enough of the solution to cover most of the frog.

The trick here is to mist his head after he is in the cup or splash him or even a quick dunk of his head by turning the cup.. (whatever is easiest just don’t dunk him under for long)... You only need to insure all of him gets the solution....

The dip is for 5 min so insure all the water etc is room temp or slightly warm the water before solution is added..this is just for the remainder of the frogs body... not the head... ( just do the head first and then let him stay in the solution for the 5 min dip)

While he is dipping this is a good time to clean the tank out....mist the solution in the tank and wipe out...no rinse required... Everything in the tank must be wiped with the solution... Then new paper towel replaced and items put back....

The treatment is for 10 days..... It must be followed to the T....


*Insure as you go that your hands are also kept clean from cross contamination... So when removing frog and putting in dish..wash your hands before going to the tank etc..
Some use gloves...

** The solution when mixed is only good for around 30 hours and then its potency decreases. Its supposed to last say 3 days of treatment.
I prefer a fresh solution each day but thats up to you... Fresh cup for the solution for the dip is vital.

*** So far no ill effects have been found with this method. It has proven effective however in killing the fungi.. You may notice more shed as with any treatment of medication dip...

**** Never place back plants or earth without sterilizing them.... I would just throw them. There is a heat method for plants but it does kill some.... To me its just not worth the risk... I would rather buy new plants and replant into sterile earth (cooked) and plants washed so insure they don’t carry the fungi. It has been found at the bottom of ponds...

You can do multiple frogs easily also by using a bunch of cups and cleaning out enclosures...

This is from info on ReptileZone.com .