proper ventilation

[flybyferns]

proper ventilation
I have not need seen many posts about this. Naturally , with my A. moreletii being under –the –weather, I have been doing quite a bit of reading and research as to any possibility of the cause. I am sure there are more experienced members that could add additional information here.
I have been in the ‘human’ medical field for 30+ years and find this reading very enjoyable.

Proper ventilation is extremely important to reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide. (CO2).
High CO2 levels make it difficult for a frog (especially those close to the bottom of an unventilated enclosure) to get rid of waste products. In an on-going (insidious) high CO2 situation that is on-and-off ; this increases the risk of infection and opportunistic parasitic infestation. “On-and-off’ meaning - alleviating the stagnant air by opening the door of an enclosure.

Risks of this ,preventable, situation are increased when one does not enter an enclosure often enough -- that is closed up too tightly when trying so hard to increase the humidity level.

An acute CO2 issue creates stagnant air which increases respiratory rates leading to breathing problems.
A lethal, acute, problem called “acidosis” can occur. Early symptoms of this could be a frog falling onto the floor all stretched out w/ their legs behind them. One may never see the fall- only the stretched out position. I have read, on FF , posts that describe : “I found my frog on the floor and it’s not breathing, I think it dead. When I pick it up I noticed it started breathing again” . Or, “ My frog throws himself on the floor and looks dead!” It could be that opening the door added the ventilation the frog needed to breathe again. This acute emergency needs AIR. A frog that cannot breathe may also be seen on the floor, very flat w/ out their legs tucked in. This could be signs that it is asphyxiated ( unable to breathe ) !

Remedies: EASY ! Open the door !!!!!

Plenty of plants-- for CO2 uptake
( my RETFs sleep in those vines)


Screened areas – especially in our vertical conversions!
( this is one of the screened ares of my recent vertical conversion,
the other is on the very top for the cords/mist tubing to pass through)


little computer fans - or any fan
(this little fan is positioned above my 2 enclosures -on a timer- comes on for 15 minutes,
every 3 hours, during the day when the lights are on)



Lynn