How to administer tetracycline?

[karrrlii]

Hello all, I have a year old African Clawed Frog and I discovered a small red spot near the top of her mouth yesterday that seemed to increase in size by today. I'm assuming she had a cut that became infected so I was going to treat her with tetracycline. I've read to administer it orally but she won't take it. Is it okay to add a bit to her water and do a water change every day or maybe soak her in a bath of it?

[Mentat]

I would not use tetracycline. If cut is small, a 7 day treatment of Melafix added to water per label directions should help .

[karrrlii]

Really? I had used melafix for my betas a while back and read nothing but bad reviews on it. How much of a water change should I do with it?

[Mentat]

Anytime you start a medical treatment, should do as large as a water change as possible. To prevent shock, recommend match the water temperature and pH. IMO, Melafix works well against many bacterial situations. It's not fast acting, so would not recommend against an aggressive bacterial attack. In that case I prefer using Mardel's Maracyn Plus which is effective against Gram + and - bacteria.

Once start Melafix treatment, you do not need to do water changes for whole week. If you are not running a filter and need to do daily water changes, first do the WC, and then re-dose Melafix treatment. If after 3-5 days of use you do not see any improvement; discontinue treatment and try with Maracyn Plus according to label instructions. Good luck !

[karrrlii]

Thanks I'll try it!

In terms of the tetracycline though, just for future reference, is it okay to add the tetracycline powder to the water itself or is that a no?

[Mentat]

Sorry; but never used tetracycline on frogs and it's been decades since use it on fish.

[karrrlii]

Okay thanks. The melafix seems to be working, though; the red sore on her mouth isn't as intense/vibrant anymore!