Please help. I think it's dropsy. :(

[Rorschach]

Hello, all. My FBT swelled up a few days ago. This has happened before and gone away, though not to the extent it is now. It's gotten worse and I compare his appearance to a ping pong ball with legs! I've been feverishly searching the interwebs and read hundreds of pages on it and from what I've found, it sounds like dropsy. The trouble is, all these sites fail to mention what to do about it, other than take to an exotics vet, which isn't an option for me. I don't want to just watch him die, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I picked up some maracyn 2 today, which is for treating dropsy in fish. I read on one forum that it was used with some success, but I'm looking for more ideas. I perused all 22 pages of this forum and read that honey might help, so I've just added some of that to his water as well. His energy level seems to be ok, and I believe he has eaten. I've got him in a smaller quarantine tank. I read that someone actually tried lancing her FBT and draining the fluid from its abdomen, followed by antibiotic baths, which worked. I fear doing this myself, though, as there was little detail as to how she went about it exactly and it sounds very dangerous.

I've been to 5 different pet stores, checking all the shelves for something that sounded helpful but came up empty. Despite his bloat, he seems otherwise healthy. That may sound odd, but I mean he looks good, his eyes are not cloudy, he doesn't limp or act lethargic or weak, seems active and seems to be eating. I just fear his condition will worsen and I'm at a loss for what to do next.

Any suggestions are very welcome.

[GrifTheGreat]

Hello, all. My FBT swelled up a few days ago. This has happened before and gone away, though not to the extent it is now. It's gotten worse and I compare his appearance to a ping pong ball with legs! I've been feverishly searching the interwebs and read hundreds of pages on it and from what I've found, it sounds like dropsy. The trouble is, all these sites fail to mention what to do about it, other than take to an exotics vet, which isn't an option for me. I don't want to just watch him die, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I picked up some maracyn 2 today, which is for treating dropsy in fish. I read on one forum that it was used with some success, but I'm looking for more ideas. I perused all 22 pages of this forum and read that honey might help, so I've just added some of that to his water as well. His energy level seems to be ok, and I believe he has eaten. I've got him in a smaller quarantine tank. I read that someone actually tried lancing her FBT and draining the fluid from its abdomen, followed by antibiotic baths, which worked. I fear doing this myself, though, as there was little detail as to how she went about it exactly and it sounds very dangerous.

I've been to 5 different pet stores, checking all the shelves for something that sounded helpful but came up empty. Despite his bloat, he seems otherwise healthy. That may sound odd, but I mean he looks good, his eyes are not cloudy, he doesn't limp or act lethargic or weak, seems active and seems to be eating. I just fear his condition will worsen and I'm at a loss for what to do next.

Any suggestions are very welcome.

Are you certain its dropsy? Dropsy would need a vets attension.

Does the bloat feel like fluid or air? Is it hard or soft?

[Rorschach]

Are you certain its dropsy? Dropsy would need a vets attension.

Does the bloat feel like fluid or air? Is it hard or soft?

I'm not a vet, but from all the sites I've read, that's what I'd guess. I wouldn't say his belly is hard. It feels more like it's full of fluid than air. Firmer than air would be, I think. It's the only FBT I've ever had, so I am completely inexperienced, but I've had him for over a year and a half with no issue. I got him from a friends sister who no longer wanted him and she didn't have any problems either. I didn't even know this sort of thing could happen.

What would a vet do to treat dropsy? I have a hard time believing there's nothing I can do myself. I'll call my regular vet in the morning to see if he treats frogs and will do so without breaking my bank.

[GrifTheGreat]

I'm not a vet, but from all the sites I've read, that's what I'd guess. I wouldn't say his belly is hard. It feels more like it's full of fluid than air. Firmer than air would be, I think. It's the only FBT I've ever had, so I am completely inexperienced, but I've had him for over a year and a half with no issue. I got him from a friends sister who no longer wanted him and she didn't have any problems either. I 8didn't even know this sort of thing could happen.

What would a vet do to treat dropsy? I have a hard time believing there's nothing I can do myself. I'll call my regular vet in the morning to see if he treats frogs and will do so without breaking my bank.

A vet could possibly drain the fluid. Something that isn't in your ability to do safely.

I could suggest giving him a shallow bath of de-chlorinated water and Epsom Salt. The mixture should be one teaspoon of Epsom salt per 1 gallon of de-chlorinated water.

What kind of water do you use and do you have a filter and circulation pump in the Toads water source? Do you regularly make water changes?
I'm not sure if the bath will work for Dropsy.

[GrifTheGreat]

If you attemp the Epsom salt bath make sure the water is shallow enough for the frog to sit in comfortably and not havebto swim. Also be sure the water is luke warm. Soak for 20 minutes per day until the bloating is gone.

I would still consult a vet.

I have to go. Have to work early in the morning. Do keep me posted.

[Rorschach]

I use tap water treated with aqua safe for reptiles & amphibians. It's a half land/half water 55 gallon tank, but there's maybe 15 gallons of water in it. I have a small in-tank filter with a bio-scrubber thing and a waterfall that contains 2 filter cartridges. I remove/add water periodically and change filters, but obviously not often enough. I also recently learned that my timer wasn't working and the light had been staying on all the time, which led to a lot of algae growth, which I'm sure didn't help.

His quarantine tank is set up with a rock-bowl that's shallow containing water treated with honey and the maracyn 2. I will try the epsom bath tomorrow as I, too, have to get to sleep for work in the morning. I'll also call my vet.

Thanks very much for responding. I really appreciate it. Hope my poor little guy pulls through.

[XDragonFrogX]

So glad to hear he is doing well thank you for the update

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