sick Simon

[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

[gab]

Thanks for the input. I just checked her water again and all is well. No nitrates, nitrates, or ammonia. She is not having trouble staying submerged, she is just hanging out at the top of the tank more than at the bottom. She doesn't really fit into either bloat category-she's not stuck floating at the top nor is she squishy. I did try Maracyn II and salt a while back to no avail.
The only thing I can think of she may possibly have eaten that she couldn't process is if a piece of zeolite or carbon from the media bag in the filter ended up in the tank. I have found pieces on the bottom of the tank in the past. I wouldn't think one of her minnows would cause her trouble unless a bone got stuck somewhere. She's eaten many before. If she is impacted, is there anything I can do for her? There are no vets around anymore that I can take her to, besides, I've never had much luck with a vet helping my frogs in the past.
To be more precise about her eating habits (in case it helps), she ate fine until the last week of June. Then for about two weeks she ate about half of her normal food, then about a quarter normal ration for about a week, then nothing at all for 8 days. On July 21 (yes, I try to take notes if any of my pets are out of sorts), she ate four pieces of food (two Reptomin sticks and two small pieces of earthworm), then nothing until July 29 when she ate 1 fly. That was the last time she ate anything at all. I don't know how she is even still alive at this point. If anyone has any other ideas or anything else I can try, please let me know. She is my last frog and I would hate to lose her.

[gab]

Does anyone have any other ideas? She seems to be floating around the top of the tank more and more. Once in a while, she'll sit on the bottom for just a few minutes. I bought her some crickets and wax worms to try to entice her, but she wasn't interested. With no food for a month now, I don't think she will last much longer.

[mpmistr]

Honestly man I would treat this frog with Maracyn and Epsom salt baths.

Use a separate container, like tupperware. Add 1 teaspoon of Epsom Salt to every gallon of water that is in your bath container. Make sure the temperature is the same and let the frog soak in there for 1 hour a day.

[gab]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried Maracyn and epsom baths, but not together. I did the epsom soaks in a bucket for an hour per day for 10 days, then I was advised to stop all meds. At this point, I think I'll try again and do them together this time. If I could figure out how to force feed her, I think I'd try that too. I can't seem to get her to open her mouth and I don't want to injure her trying. Keep the ideas coming, I appreciate every one of them.

[mpmistr]

Well I advised to stop the meds only because I didn't know what was wrong with the frog. He certainly does look bloated and floating plus no appetite is not a great sign.

It could be an intestinal blockage too though, have you noticed any poop at all?

[gab]

I wasn't complaining because you said to stop the meds. I realize it's best to use the right med, but with these guys, if hard to know what to do.
No, I haven't seen any poop, although I rarely saw much even when I had the two healthy frogs in the tank. I think the fish in there probably broke any up and then it was taken away by the filter. But, if it is a blockage, is there anything I can do? I'm going to the pet store tonight after work if they may have something I can use. I'll check back after work this evening. Thanks.