toad's underside is reddish?

[Stolzieren]

I have a male american toad, he's young and I have noticed today that his underside, close to his back legs is a bit red, it's not his entire belly but a bit lower than that. is this some sort of issue I should worry about?

[crazy]

Monitor the toad, I would also clean out the aquarium you have it in thoroughly, I usually fill mine with water and put a little vinegar, scrub it down with a sponge or rag or something like this JW Pet Acrylic & Glass Algae Scrubbers: Aquarium Maintenance you can find them at a pet store, or places like walmart, and let it sit for about 24 to 48 hours, but make sure there is no smell of vinegar left before you drain the aquarium as it would mean the vinegar hasn't diluted completely. What this does is that it kills any germs or bacteria in the aquarium as vinegar is acidic. Do this with anything you have in that aquarium as well. Can not use any type of chemicals like bleach or soap as they leave residue and can harm the toad and do not use anything that has touched any type of chemical or soap. Finally, as I said before monitor the toad and watch for ulcers or sores as well. I say this because redness of the skin especially on the hind legs could mean the toad somehow caught the ranavirus, or simply could be a rash. I am not saying the toad has ranavirus but it would still be a good thing to clean out the aquarium it is in as ranavirus is highly deadly to the poor things. Here is a site with some info on ranavirus Froglife it sucks to see a good frog or toad die because of this dam disease.... Is there any chance of getting an above shot and under shot of the toad?

[Stolzieren]

thank you for the advice! I read up about red leg as well and it suggested to move him into a separate, clean aquarium with wet paper towels for a day or so, I have done that and I tried to get pictures of the redness also (if these are bad let me know and I can try to get some better pictures)
my toad doesn't seem to be lethargic or acting any differently than usual, he eats fine too

[kueluck]

If you use eco earth as your substrate and he stays burrowed in it, it's most likely from that. My toads have a pink tinge to them also when they stay burrowed for a long period of time. Since when they burrow down they use their back legs and butt to scooch down into place that area rubs into the eco earth more.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

I also have noticed that eco-earth will stain my hands when I am rehydrating a brick of it.
looking at the pictures the redness is minor. so after a few days in the paper towel substrate will tell all.

[crazy]

If you use eco earth as your substrate and he stays burrowed in it, it's most likely from that. My toads have a pink tinge to them also when they stay burrowed for a long period of time. Since when they burrow down they use their back legs and butt to scooch down into place that area rubs into the eco earth more.

True. I have seen toads legs becoming red like that, it went away after a few days. I think if they sit on cool ground for awhile their legs can turn red like that as well.

I also have noticed that eco-earth will stain my hands when I am rehydrating a brick of it.
looking at the pictures the redness is minor. so after a few days in the paper towel substrate will tell all.

Do you use the zoo med eco earth? I have never noticed that it can stain my hands; although I do get a lot of dirt on them when breaking up the brick when it hydrates. My toads tend to be covered in the stuff after burrowing.

[Stolzieren]

thank you everyone for the input! I do use eco earth, and it makes sense he would get a little red from that.
he was also spending some time outside in the grass and he was digging in the clover so I suppose that could have done it as well?
he has been in the wet paper towel substrate for a couple days now and the redness has gone down a bit! I feel a bit silly for worrying over this if it turns out it was just his substrate, but I'd rather be safe than sorry

[crazy]

thank you everyone for the input! I do use eco earth, and it makes sense he would get a little red from that.
he was also spending some time outside in the grass and he was digging in the clover so I suppose that could have done it as well?
he has been in the wet paper towel substrate for a couple days now and the redness has gone down a bit! I feel a bit silly for worrying over this if it turns out it was just his substrate, but I'd rather be safe than sorry

Its good that the redness has gone down a bit.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

Don't worry it's just part of being a good keeper.

[Stolzieren]

good news, his underside is just a bit pink now, he's getting rather tired of the smaller terrarium so hopefully soon the vinegar smell will get out of it so I can set it back up for him.
also is it a bad thing that I take him outside for some air and exercise? otherwise he seems content just sitting around in his burrow all day but I like to take him out and sit in the shade with him for just a bit when the days are warm enough.

[kueluck]

I take my toads out into the yard for a "run" when the weather is nice. Just keep a close eye on him so nothin' makes him a meal.

[Stolzieren]

ah I'm so glad it's okay to bring him outside! I never take my eyes off of him hehe
the dogs seem fine with him but I still keep close watch anyways