Prepare a Medicine Cabinet
and gather the supplies needed to take care of a sick frog
Gathering these supplies needs to be done PRIOR to having a sick frog.
Know where and how to contact a qualified Herp Vet PRIOR to having a sick frog.
Sick frogs need special care specific to the species being treated.
An initial and basic set-----up should be prepared in advance and kept on hand at all times.
All medications reviewed in this ‘preparation’ of supplies , in most cases, need the guidance and supervision of a qualified herp vet.
Below is a description of my supplies , kept on hand at all times for red eyed tree frogs ( A callidryas) and black eyed tree frogs ( A moreletii ). All supplies need the common sense modification for smaller and larger species.
Shopping list:
-Distilled water
-De-chlorinated water– Aquatize shown here
Exo Terra : Aquatize / Terrarium Water Conditioner
-Q-tips
-Unflavored pedialyte
( pedi soaks ----- 1:10 --- ( one part pedi to 10 part distilled water)
For example ----- one teaspoon pedi and 10 teaspoons distilled water
A vet may recommend a different soaking solution ?
Great product very easy to mix :
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/electrolyte.php
-Honey
Honey soak instructions here:
Frog Forum - Basic Frog First Aid
-Bleach – for sterilizing ( ie Clorox used for laundry)
Rinse ! Rinse! Rinse!
Anything that has been cleaned in bleach solution should be rinsed in de-chlorinated water
-Un- bleached paper towels (white are ok in a pinch- no printed pattern)
-Powder free -- vinyl gloves - latex gloves should not be used
-Other random supplies
-A soaking container with a lid for soaking /re-hydration/ treatments: (link to instructions below)
A lid is necessary so the frog cannot escape during the time in which you want them to remain in the treatment solution. You can sit there with your hand over the top! However, this just adds to additional stress on the frog. I place the covered soaking/treatment container back into the quarantine enclosure during the soak so the frog can be kept at the proper temperature and left in a quiet spot. My container (instructions below) is just the right height so the tree frog HAS to keep its body in the solution. The liquid should not be above the tree frog’s chin.
Additional instructions “how to make a soaking/treatment” container here:
http://www.frogforum.net/tree-frogs/...leaf-frog.html
The quarantine enclosure:
10 gallon glass pictured here:
-vertically oriented (appreciated by a tree frog - but not necessary)
Supplies for the above quarantine enclosure:
-a soaking dish
(see additional instruction ---link above)
-a simple plant or clipping (pictured here is a pothos maintained just for quarantine)
-a screen lid / this lid has glass covering all but 4 inches of the screen
-a lid/screen lock
-cover three sides of the enclosure with a dark paper (not shown)
-(you could paint it--on the outside--with Martha Stewart all purpose paint ( found at a craft store)
-or simply cover it with a towel- shown here
-continue to maintain proper temp and humidity
-substrate- very damp paper towel /de-chlorinated water/ changed three times a week – when the frog is sleeping. Get all supplies ready ahead of time. Get in and out as quickly as possible. USE GLOVES
Wash your hands before and after handing your frogs!
Don’t even think about using those gloves again
A Frog Forum search will proved an enormous amount of additional information regarding a variety of quarantine set ups
All quarantine supplies ( including the tank) should be initially sterilized, sterilized after the quarantine tank is used and prior to repeat use. A very diluted bleach solution should be used for this and RINSED – thoroughly-(in de-chlorinated water ) to remove any remnants of the bleach solution.
Below are photos of my- recently refilled - tree frog medications prescribed by Dr Frye. The directions given to me, are specific for my ( size) tree frogs- these are prescribed by the frog's weight in grams. Therefore, before contacting Dr Frye via email – weigh your frog as this will save time.
How to get in touch with Dr Fyre
Please see post #1
http://www.frogforum.net/tree-frogs/...-prepared.html
Medications:
<“Metronidizole is an antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and APPETITE STIMULANT.”>
syringe and dropper - provided to remove the metronidizole from the IV bag
<“Silversulfadiazene is a topical antibiotic and antifungal that promotes healing while discouraging scarring. “>
<“Baytril is a strong systemic antibiotic that needs to be mixed carefully. ………. is mixed according to the size of the frog treated. Only a few drops are used daily.”>
<“Panacur is a powdered de-wormer. It is very safe and easy to use “ >
Keep your supplies in a clean container:
Note: Metronidizole needs to be stored in a dark place
Great little food scale:
Wholesale Hot 5kg/1g White Mini kitchen scale food scales factory price, Free shipping, $9.11-14.82/Piece | DHgate
If things should get really bad:
Force feeding supplies:
Soft utensil to use to open a frog’s mouth
I use the tiny green spatula – ( I do not like to use a credit card as it can scratch the delicate tissue around their mouth- I think this is a cupcake decorator)
Alternate force feeding method.
You can also force feed a tree frog during a shed:
Get the feeder ready , stand there- in the dark and wait ! ( YES - wait for hours night after night ) Wait for the frog to open wide ----and drop the feeder in. Down the hatch !!! Works like a charm ! Be ready to protect your frog , as this sometimes startles them, and they might take an uncontrolled leap which increases the risk on an injury.
Other supplies for the Medicine Cabinet
Below: Flukers Calcium rescue- for severe calcium deficiencies
Fluker's Liquid Calcium
Below: “complete nutritional supplement that provides immediate energy and fluid support “
Repta Boost Insectivore/Carnivore
This is the only product listed here I personally keep on hand. I dip crickets into this prior to force feeding. I typically use my “drop in the mouth method” whenever possible as it is less stressful on the frog.
Note: Repashy makes similar products
Repashy Superfoods :: RETAIL SALES :: By Product Type - Repashy Ventures - Distributor Center
Additional information:
Frog Forum - Basic Frog First Aid
http://www.frogforum.net/tree-frogs/...enclosure.html
Please see post # 17 for completed list of questions/instructions
http://www.frogforum.net/general-dis...y-2-cents.html
http://www.frogforum.net/tree-frogs/...eparation.html
The frog doctor
great informative site for several species
Lynn