White's tree frog dragging left back leg

[flybyferns]

Hi,

For those members unaware of Lisa's struggle ( just want to mention this)--- Lisa has provided OUTSTANDING care to these two frogs since she purchased them. This leg issue is developing in her 2nd frog. Like others members here on FF there have been problems! Her other has been under a vets care for quite some time . (members might recall the little frog with the ‘clicking ’ sound. ) She has made an exhausting effort to get him better and is still faced with have to force feed him. These problems came with her frogs. Like others here, she is battling to fix two frogs that were purchased this way !! So BRAVO, Lisa. Like others, without her good care. Gosh knows what the outcome would be - by now.
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Lisa,
Your additional information with the photo, here, is very helpful. Looking at the photo I believe that both back legs are affected. (The L more so than the R) A paralysis looking symptom like this, of the hind legs, can be as a result of more than one reason. He could have and injury ? Watch for little improvements. Can he poop? If so, this is a good sign. Does he ever spread out all the digits (toes) on the other extremities, including the fronts?

An infection can cause this; even impaction? As you know the most common cause is calcium/vitamin D3 deficiency leading to MBD. If these were my fogs I would ask for both to be x-rayed. This may answer questions: is the clicking sound in one frog the result of a stress fractured jaw? And, are the curling toes the result of under calcified bones? If this were to provide an answer you would have an evident goal in treatment! There would be less worry of over supplementation.
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This is how my ---mini-mind-----understands it: ( Lisa, I hope you don’t mind I use your current example of diligent care and challenges as a motivation to post the following information)

Vitamin D3 is needed for the proper absorption of calcium from the frog’s gut during digestion. A deficiency in one or both ( even poorly maintained temps in the enclosure , which aids digestion can be an added factor) can lead to brittle bones or soft spongy bones. This occurs over time as the calcium levels drop in their blood supply. As this happens the calcium level in the bones is sidetracked, if you will , from the bones to the blood to maintain more critically needed levels for other bodily functions. As it continues, it can lead to tiny stress fractures in the spine, the long bones in the legs, the jaw, and spongy digits. It is also noticed when it affects their typical climbing and jumping habits. The amount of damage ( ie xray) can help to determine the amount of recovery that is possible. Hence, my question: have you seen him poop. A frog with a damaged spine will not poop which leads to impaction. We think we make it ‘all better’ when we soak them --- they poop—and we are happy. This , many times, is treating a symptom --not the cause. MBD – in the beginning-- is more than what meets the eye . Proper husbandry is critical as all aspects of “poor” care begin to affect their health on so many levels. It’s a spiral ! ( ie specifically, temps, feeder maintenance, dusting habits, water maintenance- the list goes on)

To prevent this , requires a constant vigil of care. Don’t we know it !! Intense observation day -to-day of the frogs behavior we keep, is vitally important.
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Ie: last night my oldest red eyed tree frog was sitting at the bottom of the enclosure; sitting, hanging out, hunting.-----I observed the usual nightly gathering at the water hole ! I open the door and it startles him a little. He RUNS, I mean runs to the top of the the enclosure- gets there in a flash . If this behavior, overtime, were to begin to disappear I would re-evaluate my current habits of how diligent I've been in maintaining the food supply- FIRST. Our feeders are nothing compared to their varied diets in the wild.
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Quick little review:
-replace all supplements every 3 months ( it’s terrible they come in such lage containers)
-store it in a cool DARK place
-mix up the use of different – respected- products
-keep a written – dusting schedule- which will adds to consistent efforts
-don’t leave crickets in the enclosure! Watch how quickly they can clean themselves off! There is a reason they have been around for 400 million years? They are quite proficient!
-feed right before the lights go out !
-dust crickets with calcium and Vit Ds ( cricket exoskeletons are high in phosphorous) Dusting helps to accomplish a better calcium to phosphorous ratio of which experts say should be 2:1 ( calcium : phosphorous) This ratio is needed for the frogs to use the supplements properly.
-gut loading the crickets w/ calcium sources –gel, veggies – we want them to be ‘fortified’

[U]Small----- high in calcium food list: Use thos left overs ! ( most of these should be on the menu everyday for the humans-walk to the cricket bin !)

(Kale, Turnip Greens, Arugula, Broccoli Rabe , Okra, Oranges, ( even OJ on a cotton ball) Kelp, Spinach, crushed Sesame Seeds, Broccoli)

This is great food: Insectivores : Purrs and Waggs Healthy Pets

Check out the ingredients! Fresh - short shelf life = fresh - whole food source of nutrition for the crickets

Unfortunately, there is very little regulation in the industry about the manufacturer’s claims on the supplement label. This makes our jobs even harder combined with even less funded research needed by our passionate research scientists.

A basic we can understand - concentrate on the food ! We are...........what we eat!