Please help - Pond living bullfrog is not doing well!

[muth3rluvx2]

Hello everyone. I've just joined out of desperation...

I have a bullfrog that has lived in my little pond at home since he was a tadpole. When he woke up this year, I noted that there's something that appears to be sticking out of his side where his "knee" meets his body when his feet are under him. It's white, filmy-ish, gooey and now there appears to be a pinkish red core to it. It doesn't look like anything on the surface, but I really can't tell - it looks like it's coming out of his body!

Tonight, we noticed something new.. on the other side, towards his underbelly, there's a straight white line (head to rear) that almost looks like cartiledge getting ready to just ... poke through his skin (it looks like it's kind of sharp on the head-side end - almost like a rib).

He is not a pet - he is a wild frog that we happen to have "raised". I'm very hesitant to try to catch him for fear of exacerbating his illness/injuries.. not to mention, I don't even know what I'd do with him if I did! I'm not sure where or to whom I'd take him.

Can anyone here help? Not only am I exceptionally worried about Mr. Frog (my children have watched him grow for the last 3 summers as well) but I'm also concerned that maybe whatever is wrong could be cross contagious to my fish (ie: fungal).

*sighs* He's been like this for at least a week. It doesn't seem to be getting any better, whatever it is.

Thanks.

[Kurt]

Could you post some clear pictures? Also where are you located?

[muth3rluvx2]

Kurt,

I don't know how clear these are - but they're the best I can get and he was actually in a great position.

[muth3rluvx2]

I got a couple more - it's 9 pm and the flash washes out anything closer - and eventually scares him.

[Kurt]

Ok I am only guessing here, but I think this is some sort of injury and it has been infected. Are there any wildlife centers/hospitals, education centers in your area? I know we have a decent one here in Eastern Massachusetts. You may be able to take him to one of them to get him fixed up.

[muth3rluvx2]

The only thing I can think of is the zoo... being in the midwest, we just don't have alot of specialists for this like this around. All my standard vets are clueless about frogs.

You look like (from your signature block) you're pretty knowledgable and I know you said you were just guessing - and to give this some relativity, my guess would hit on a 1-10 scale at about a 1 for accuracy - when *you* guess, it's probably ALOT more accurate - where might you say your guess falls on a 1-10 scale?

(another example - my son had appendicitis and was very sick for a few days at his dads before he came home and I "guessed" what was wrong - w/o being a doctor and having the right equipment to *know*, that's all I could do - but I knew I was right even though I couldn't say I was right ... see what I mean? lol)

I didn't even think of infection, to be honest. I was thinking either a) fungus (which he may have now as a result of all this - there's some white patches on his skin now) or b) an injury that was causing his insides to poke out. Ew. Poor froggie!

I guess I'll call the zoo and see what they suggest.

[John]

It's hard to tell from the photos but I would have to agree with Kurt. It looks like a physical injury. That frog also doesn't look the best in terms of general appearance/health. I don't have better advice for you than he has already given - a vet or a zoo if you feel obligated to have him looked at. Many vets will see native wildlife for little or no cost.

[muth3rluvx2]

John,

Thank you so much for backing up Kurt's prognoses. Have one expert confirm another is enough for me. He doesn't look healthy, does he? I keep telling my boyfriend that he looks too skinny and he's suggested it's just the way he's "sitting"... I did a small water change yesterday and I'll do another later this week - I called the zoo but I haven't actually talked to anyone yet.

I really really appreciate you guys' help! I'm not sure how or what injured him, but I'm going to keep trying to find someone to get him better - even if it means donating him somewhere! Its more important that he's healthy and lives as long as he would if he weren't sick!

[Kurt]

A zoo should have a vet that can handle this.

[muth3rluvx2]

Kurt,

No go. :-(
I've emailed the local herp society and am trying to contact several exotic pet anythings. I don't particularly want to pay for a vet.. so we'll see what happens.

[Paul Rust]

Try a vet, like John said, most will treat wild animals for free. That frog is very malnutritioned and doesn't look like it has long to go. It needs to be taken in and treated, disinfected and fed well with supplements. Best of luck!

[MasterHoyt]

I agree, have a vet take a look at him. Even if you can't pay, just bring him in and ask about cost and say that you are just trying to help the frog. Try catching it with a net. Do you have a vet school in your state? It would help to know what state you are in.

An infection can be fungal, viral, bacterial, or a protozoa.

If nothing else, I would catch him and put him in an aquarium. I really don't think he's going to get better, if he's been going down hill on his own.

Small crickets might be a good start for him. Dechlorinate any water that you use.

Good luck, please keep us update!

Sincerely,
MasterHoyt