He made it...

[spooky]

Sorry to start yet another thread, but I'm happy to report that Toad made it through his operation. He has 3 stitches which should dissolve, if not then have to go back in 2 weeks to have them removed.
I now face the seemingly difficult task of administering antibiotics orally.... Any tips???? Vet has given me a syringe and a needle with the point cut off.

[John]

Shouldn't be too hard on a big frog like that. Just hold him firm and try to ease the nib of the syringe between his jaws (try in the middle - it should be easier).

[1beataway]

Pretends he's a baby and shove it down his throat!

At work, whenever I give oral meds to reptiles and amphibians, I just make sure to take my time and be gentle, so I won't hurt the mouth. I've seen some coworkers be way too hard, and it'll cause discoloration or like mouth rot.

[Ebony]

Thats great.

[Kurt]

I use the sharp end these dental floss thingies. They sort of look like a wrench with a piece of floss stretched between it at one end and a sharp, point at the other.

[spooky]

Thanks for the tips!! I managed to dose him this morning, and it wasn't too difficult! I feel sad for the poor thing though. Here's hoping he makes a swift recovery! Also, any idea how long it'll take him to start eating? His op was 24hrs ago and he's not eaten yet

[John]

Can't say I blame him. How long is the course of antibiotics?

[spooky]

He's to have 0.01ml of baytril (?) once a day for 2 weeks. He's looking really sad at the moment, doesn't seem to wanna move. Still early days though I guess. Day before the op he was full of beans, the anaesthetic has taken a lot out of him.

[wildfire]

Glad toad made it. When my frog had surgery, my vet said 48hrs before he could eat.
Kurt great idea on opening a frogs mouth. I am going to have to try that one.

[John]

If he doesn't perk up in a couple of days, you may want to consider force-feeding him.

[1beataway]

I hate the smell of Baytril. They use it to treat so many things in reptiles, amphibians, birds, and small furry creatures.

[spooky]

I think it smells quite nice
Great news though!! I got woken up in the night by the crickets chirping, so went to move them into a cupboard somewhere. I also had a quick peek at the frog tanks and saw that both frogs were wide awake. I decided to try and feed the sick one, and offered him a (dusted) meal worm. He snatched it greedily out of my hand. I was sooooo happy! I gave another 2 and left it at that as I wasn't sure would be a safe amount after 2 weeks of not eating (I know with mammals you should start giving small amounts often rather than one big meal straight away). He had another one after I gave him his baytril this morning. I'm so unbelievably over the moon as I really thought I was going to lose him at one point.

[Ebony]

That's so excellent, well done.

[spooky]

Thank you! Was definatly worth the £74 vet bill! My other half doesn't think so... He said I should have just chucked Toad over the garden fence and got a new frog, as they only cost £33

[Ebony]

Oh no, He really does not get it. My partner is only just starting to get my froggy fetish now and it's been over five years of frogs (mind you, I think he might think that if it came down to the crunch... i might/would pick the frogs lol) so hopefully time will mend that for you too.

[spooky]

He really is clueless!! Haha. But then again, I don't get his love for Football

[Kerry1968]

I'm so pleased to hear your frog is through the operation and eating, it sounds like lil toad is going to be fine.

[spooky]

Cheers Kerry!!! Next step is moving him back into the big terrarium I can't wait!!

[Tropicok]

Well done! It is such a happy and divine feeling to bring one's critter back to good health.

[spooky]

It's a brilliant feeling!! I've never before had to deal with a sick amphibian, and wasn't feeling too confident. But I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. Ooh, and he ate a cricket today

Little things......... hehe