Tree frog shivering = lack of calcium?

[daziladi]

I so hope so Kurt, thanks! This morning he moved to the top of the log, back down again and then went 1/2 way into his hiding spot so that was on the plus side. His heartbeat is regular, the movement he makes below his chin is regular too (breathing?) and I don't see any muscle spasms. He stayed still and slept all day after that. Just checked a few minutes ago and he's making his way to his water dish, slowly. He's definitely still sluggish so I'll breath another hooray when he has more energy and catches a cricket.

The vet told me to get UVA, UVB bulbs and a heating mat but the forums here say not to. From the discussions I've determined that the heat should come from above the mesh lid, but which type of bulb should I get? Since I took out the substrate and replaced it with paper towels for his healing the humidity dipped too low, read on another frog board that adding a fish tank pump tube to a glass of water would increase it. I filled the glass with smooth rocks so he won't get stuck in there... seems to be working as long as I mist 4-5 times a day too. Chester's coming along, will just take time and some old-fashioned froggie-luck. Keeping an amphibian is like having children again!

[Kurt]

Well you can put a large glass jar with an aquarium heater and water in it. This would provide heat and humidity. UVB bulbs are generally fluorescent so they shouldn't heat the tank up. Generally the consensus is that they don't need it, and I agree with that, but it couldn't hurt to use it.

And you're welcome. Just want to make sure I didn't forget to say that.

[daziladi]

Great idea Kurt, I'm going that route along with a very simple liner for the bottom until I decide on a permanent setup for him that won't create this sort of illness. I never could get the balance of water to heat to humidity right and I'm sure that's why he got sick. Update: his color is wonderful and he's all over the tank during his waking hours. He actually sat on his log in an upright, non-resting position so that's a first too. I haven't seen him catch a cricket yet, and he's avoided climbing so hopefully that will come back soon too. Will let you know when all is back to normal, hopefully sooner rather than later but I'm just glad he made it. Will post a photo soon too!