Emergency toad help needed!!!

[GrifTheGreat]

My daughter just checked him as she let our dog out. She says he is OK, but it is cold, so we need to get him inside. IMO the early warm-up we are having is to blame for his situation. I found another toad just before finding him, and I am pretty sure it is too early for them to be coming out. Then the temp dropped and caused them all to get lazy and end up sitting right out in the open trying to stay warm on the blacktop. This lead to a bird easily getting him.

The bucket I will be using will be a good sized bucket. I am only going to use it tonight to get him out of the cold. My daughter wants to get a fish, but doesn't have the money yet. I think I will get him an aquarium, and if he doesn't make it she can take it over for the fish she will eventually get. Ah, yes, I have plans. I am really hoping to end up with a new little buddy here, though.

If anything else he will be warm/loved/and comfortable if he doesn't make it. He has more chance with you than left out on his own. Keep us updated.

[LazyEyedFroggie]

Sadly environmental factors aren't always nice to toads. I fully agree that the temperatures could be mainly to blame for his inability to escape that crow. I'm sure he will like his aquarium for the remainder of his life, however long or short it may be.

[Carl I]

Thanks.

I just cleaned up the eyes. The left one is in there, but it seems to be looking down. There does seem to be something wrong with it, or it is just like that from his being on the brink of doing really bad. The right one cleaned up decent, leaving a lot of grime and nastiness on the cotton swap. It is back to being shiney and almost looks like it should work. So who knows? I know almost nothing about biology, so I have no idea if an eye can work in that situation. If he stays in captivity, and the eyes big problem is bulging out, then I am cool with daily cleanings if he starts to eat. But I don't know how much damage can be done without the ability to blink and self-moisten the eye.

Now, all that being said, I think I found another issue with the poor guy. When I picked him up and turned him a bit, I noticed a bulge in his abdomen area. Almost like he swallowed a marble and it is sitting in his belly or intestine.

This is his temporary home until tomorrow.





His lack of jumping makes me feel safe about the low sides, and hopefully some local garage bugs will wander on in there. If he makes it the night again, then tomorrow I will go crazy with trying to get him to eat. If all looks dire tomorrow, and he isn't eating, then I probably won't make him suffer another full night. The one thing I do have to go on is that for a while there if I touched him he would start to move. Now, the second I lift the toad house he starts to move. He seems a little more lively tonight.

[Carl I]

Just checked him before heading off to bed. I don't think he is doing very well, after all.

[GrifTheGreat]

You are doing your best. Without a vet though he will more than likely pass. I hope for the best, but we must always plan for the worst. So is life. Atleast someone caring found him to ease his pain before he goes.

[Carl I]

Well, I found him on Friday morning, and as of this Sunday morning he is still with me. I was sure I was going to find him passed on, but nope, he is still with us. So, I am running out for a bit this morning. Hopefully on my way home I will be stopping to get that aquarium for my daughter, which Blinky will take over for the time being. If he keeps on kicking, then I will be forced to get him his own pad. Then I will be going outside and doing yard work today, which will involve my collection of pill bugs.

[LazyEyedFroggie]

I do hope he pulls through. That bump on his stomach sounds like it could be intestinal blockage of some sort. Have you noticed if he's defecated?

[GrifTheGreat]

Robin is right. It could be an impaction(severe constipation) which can also be fatal. Maybe he was eating a bug and accidentally got a rock before he was attacked. He will need hydration. While you're out pick up some UNFLAVORED Pedialyte and prepare a bath no deeper than half his height. Mix up a 10 to 1 ratio of De-chlorinated water and the Pedialyte. So for every 10oz of water add 1oz of Pedialyte. Make sure the water is luke warm. This will provide essential electrolytes and minerals he will need to stay hydrated. If you have to support him in the water that is fine. Make sure he is soaking for no less than 10 minutes, but the duration should be 20 minutes if possible.

I really hope he pulls through.

[Carl I]

:O( I got home and he appeared to have passed. I guess rigor mortis doesn't affect toads the same as it does people. He never got stiff, but when I picked him up his paws/hands/feet (what the heck are they called on toads and frogs?) didn't move, and his front legs seemed stiff. His eyes still held some liquid, so I think he passed just prior to my getting home. But there were enough signs to tell me he was gone. I was going to give him a burial at sea, as I have a creek running through my back yard and a pond next door, but decided I would find a nice little comy patch of weeds and dirt to set him on. I found a nice little place with enough cover over the top of him so he is hidden just enough. He looks very comfy back there.

I did get an aquarium for him today, though. My wife asked if she could return it, but I don't know. I have always wanted a toad, and this kind of pushed me along on that path a little bit. Plus, you all have been so kind that I hate to walk away from this forum. So, if I get a toad then I have an excuse to hang out here even longer. So, if anybody has any advice or personal preference, please send them along. I will be bopping around this forum and seeing what has all come before.

Again, I can't thank you folks enough. You have been exceedingly helpful, and exceedingly timely on your responses. This has been a heartbreaking, yet wonderful experience at the same time in an odd way.

[GrifTheGreat]

:O( I got home and he appeared to have passed. I guess rigor mortis doesn't affect toads the same as it does people. He never got stiff, but when I picked him up his paws/hands/feet (what the heck are they called on toads and frogs?) didn't move, and his front legs seemed stiff. His eyes still held some liquid, so I think he passed just prior to my getting home. But there were enough signs to tell me he was gone. I was going to give him a burial at sea, as I have a creek running through my back yard and a pond next door, but decided I would find a nice little comy patch of weeds and dirt to set him on. I found a nice little place with enough cover over the top of him so he is hidden just enough. He looks very comfy back there.

I did get an aquarium for him today, though. My wife asked if she could return it, but I don't know. I have always wanted a toad, and this kind of pushed me along on that path a little bit. Plus, you all have been so kind that I hate to walk away from this forum. So, if I get a toad then I have an excuse to hang out here even longer. So, if anybody has any advice or personal preference, please send them along. I will be bopping around this forum and seeing what has all come before.

Again, I can't thank you folks enough. You have been exceedingly helpful, and exceedingly timely on your responses. This has been a heartbreaking, yet wonderful experience at the same time in an odd way.

I'm very sorry for your loss. Even though you only had him a short time. You did your best to make him comfortable and gave him atleat a chance to live. He could have wanted nothing more.

Research as much as possible. Get the home setup before you even get a Toad. Make sure the conditions are ideal and that you have the knowledge you need to care for the Toad. I wish this tragic event could have ended better. Once again I'm sorry for your loss.

[Flick]

Ohh no I was so hoping he would make it. I'm terribly sorry for your loss, but if anything his death wasn't for nothing. If it has inspired you to embark on a new course in life and an exciting new hobbie. And now you can give a great home to a little toad who needs it!

[LazyEyedFroggie]

I'm so sorry to hear that he passed, but I suppose it may have been for the best, as he was probably suffering quite a bit. It's wonderful that you're thinking about getting a toad! I'm sure you would be an excellent care giver. Just a little piece of advice, if you get one wild-caught, make sure it's young (possibly even a tadpole or egg). This is because they will not have much to miss from roaming about in the wild, and it would likely not live to adulthood in the wilderness anyways. They are wonderful animals to keep, especially considering they're possibly your very favorite animal!