Please help - Pond living bullfrog is not doing well!

[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.