sick Simon

[Mentat]

Hello and welcome to FF Gab! Sorry your frog is sick or maybe just lonely . Can't open pic files. Maybe you can try using a web site like Photobucket to upload your pics and then paste the provided code into your post.

Agree with Michael previous comment about not medicating a frog that does not show specific disease symptoms. Does frog looks bloated compared to recent weeks? Any color changes etc.? Please answer these questions here to get a better idea of situation in tank. Also, do the fish show any signs of disease? Thank you !

Trouble in the Frog Enclosure”

The following information will be very helpful if provided when requesting assistance with either your frog or enclosure. To help with your questions, please utilize the below list and post the information in the proper forum area to get advice from FF members that keep the same frog. This will allow for little confusion and a faster more informed response.


1. Tank Size and volume of water in it (full, 1/2 filled, etc.)?

2. Number of inhabitants including all frogs and any fish?

3. Water source and any conditioner treatments?

4. Water Temperature and how is it heated (if so)?

5. Water chemistry levels: pH; Ammonia (NH3); Nitrites (NO2); Nitrates (NO3)? Note that if you do not have test kits, most aquariums/pet shops will do complimentary tests if you take a clean water sample.

6. Describe any filter system including model and media?[/COLOR]

7. Substrate type?

8. Tank set-up (plants (live or artificial), driftwood, hide outs and other decor? - How were things prepared prior to being put into the tank?

9. Main frog staple food and any treats? How often you feed?

10. CA, vitamins, and any other additives used (how often)?

11. Lighting set-up and hours it's used?

12. When is the last time frog ate?

13. Have you found poop lately?

14. A picture would be helpful including frog and tank (any including cell phone pics are fine).

15. How old is the frog?

16. How long have you owned him/her?

17. Is the frog wild caught or captive bred?

18. Any medications in the water (treatment dosis and for how long)?

19. Any salt in water (how much)?

20. Is the tank kept in a high or low traffic area?

21. Describe tank maintenance to include water changes, cleaning, media changes, etc.).


By Lynn(flybyferns), GrifTheGreat, and aquatic questions added by Carlos(Mentat)

[gab]

I'm working on getting pictures. They're on photobucket, but I'm not sure how to post them. Anyway, I think I answered most of the questions in my previous posts. To clarify, she's been in her tank for 4 years, and currently lives wiht about 5 minnows she didn't eat. 55 gallon tank filled almost to the top, Aquaclear 110 power filter plus homeade canister filter, no media really-just sponges and the biosphere ceramic balls for bacteria. I did have carbon and zeolite before medicating, though, but haven't replaced yet. Temperature runs 78-80 this time of year, no water quality issues, no substrate or conditioners (I have well water). I do use Koizyme, though. UV lights run at two hour intervals during the daytime, tank is in a low traffic area. Last time she ate was 4 pieces of Reptomin July 21 and then 1 fly on July 29.
I can't seem to get the pictures to come through. Please help. I'll keep trying.

[gab]

[gab]

I only seem to be able to get one picture to come through at a time, if you can even access them. I'll try another one.

[rodsboys]

I would say a case of bloat, but your frog is only oversized on the body, is there a chance it ate something it could not process and has become impacted? Definitely not gravel ...

[gab]

I don't think she ate something she couldn't process, but I guess you never know. I didn't really think it was bloat either since only her belly is big. If she is impacted, is there anything I can do? It also seemed odd to me that whatever it is, came up a few weeks after her tankmate died, but it could just be coincidence.

[mpmistr]

Yeah I would agree this frog does have abdominal bloating. I can't say if this is due to having an intestinal blockage or bacterial infection. If the frog is buoyant and having trouble staying submerged, I would wager it's a bacterial infection. Is there ANYTHING in the tank he could have swallowed? If it's not a blockage, it's bloat which can be rather serious.

I am not certain if your frog has hard bloat or soft bloat, hopefully it's soft bloat and will respond to treatment.

I would treat this frog and also test your water for ammonia and nitrite and make sure your nitrate is within a tolerable range (20ppm or lower). Something being wrong with the frog's environment is usually the root cause of the bacterial infection that causes bloat.

From Xenopus Express:
There are two types of bloat. First is a hard bloated frog that appears all of the sudden at the top of your tank. This frog should be immediately removed and quarantined. This is caused by a internal bacterial infection and sadly almost always fatal. Hobbyists can obtain Maracyn II® and Maracyn Plus® which are used for Bloat. These can be used in conjunction with salt.

Second is a "Soft squishy frog bloat" Like a the Michelin Man pictured to the left. This is caused by an abnormal accumulation of serious bodily fluids due to improper body metabolism. Many times damaged kidneys or liver no longer function properly causing edema. An expert can puncture to release fluids. Frogs can live for a very long time in this state.
Salt bath is recommended for this type of bloat.

Additional Info:
Bloating Disease - common affliction of African Clawed and African Dwarf clawed frogs. Bloating Disease as it is often referred to is when large amounts of fluids collect in the abdomen, legs and chin of the frog giving the frog the appearance of a blown up latex rubber glove. The frog can live with this condition for a short period of time but soon the frog will stop eating and become buoyant due to the pressure of the fluids on the internal organs. From my research I have discovered that it appears to be caused by the infection of a certain type of bacteria (still looking into exactly which type) which seems to affect the lymph ducts which drain the bodies fluids properly, the bacteria seems to block or stop function and ability of these ducts which leads to the accumulation of large amounts of fluid. This fluid can naturally be broken down by the frogs body if proper conditions or medication is administered. Aquarium salt and Anti-Internal Bacterial tropical fish remedy has appeared to be successful. Some accounts have shown that a pure diet of bloodworm can often lead to BD, especially in ADFs. This is perhaps because the bacteria which causes BD may be present in the digestive tract or epidermis of the bloodworms. To read another article about this by clicking here or here for dwarf frogs bloat