Concerning Behaviour in both of my American Bullfrogs

[Gnag the nameless]

Well, Gnag had a smaller but less rough seizure/fainting yesterday, from eating a Male Cricket (They have more prominent wings than females). So, that probably disproves my Allergy theory. However, it was one of the better of all his Faintings/Seizures. He struggled to get the Cricket out of his mouth, took in air, but remained conscious and then went back to normal. He also pooped, which is good, but when I came to it it was crumbled up. However, I'm not worried about that since when Bumpy was in a Hospital Tank a year ago he'd poop, but then kick back and cause the feces to shatter, so I'm thinking the same goes for Gnag.

That's not all though. Second thing is that he's developed a small bump with a whitish-spot on the top of it on his side . I'm thinking it's from the bacteria bloom, as it's extremely difficult to keep the Hospital tank spotless, but I'm not sure. Cleaned his water today though, and I'll consult my Vet about it tomorrow. Also, his tetany remains, though I fed him some crickets gutloaded with Spinach a few days back. Will pick up the old Dusting soon, whenever it's around.

[Gnag the nameless]

I think I'm going to have to put Gnag down

[Gnag the nameless]

Last night was really bad Gnag had his worst seizure yet, and seemed to lack the ability to use his limbs for some time, as well as being incredibly weak. Honestly, I thought he was going to die right then and there. But, he made it through the morning, and I consulted the Vet today. Me and him have come up with several possibilities and several things I need to do.

1. Spastic Tetany or MBD

I'm giving him baths of 5% Calcium Gluconate, 95% Lukewarm Spring Water daily. Just gave him his first one. If it's Spastic Tetany or MBD, this will help cure it. I'm placing my bets on this one as why else would Bumpy, who shares the diet Gnag has, Seizure twice and have Tetany as well (He had it several weeks back).

2. Ear Infection

To figure out whether it's an Ear Infection, I've got to set across a plastic sheet on my carpet and let him hop around. If he 'seizures' then, it's an Ear Infection. Also (And I know this sounds cruel but I'll only do it for a few seconds and only once) I've got to place him in a bucket and shake him around some. If he acts nauseous, another sign of Ear Infection.

If it's that, we'll treat it via antibiotics.

3. Neurological Problem

Unfortunately, if it's Neurological there's not a lot we can do without performing surgery which is an aggressive thing to do in itself, as well as bloodwork which can be extremely painful for a frog and is not something I want to do. If it's Epilepsy, I'll likely have to live with it though I doubt it due to it's random occurrence.

4. A Virus?

Though we discussed the possibility, if it's some form of Virus I'm not sure what we'd do. Also, that begs the question as to why it's not affected Bumpy as severely as it has Gnag.

5. Vitamin A deficiency

I know the Vet mentioned it barely but it's a possibility.

[Heatheranne]

I'm so sorry to hear . I would not shake the little guy around though. He's dealing with enough stress right now. If the other treatments fail, you'll know.

[Heatheranne]

Any updates?

[Gnag the nameless]

Sorry for lack of posting, been very busy with my School Final Exams

Well, Gnag's tetany has disappeared with the daily 5% Calcium Gluconate baths, and he's not seizured since. He's also sitting normally now and beginning to act more like himself, except he seems more wary of me now, likely due to me giving him the baths. However, he's still bobbing his down head every few seconds, which has me concerned that it's an ear infection we've been facing all along, or the stress of being in a Hospital tank and the Spastic Tetany may have brought on an ear infection.

I've conducted some much more gentle tests instead of the ones I mentioned before, such as tapping the glass, and the head bobbing seems to increase when I do that. Also, he seems distressed by noise and when he calls he cuts himself off a bit near the end of each croak. Unfortunately, this seems to suggest he has an ear infection, as he's not entirely acting like his normal self yet. If it is that, it'd possibly explain the 'seizures' because the noise as he kicks back to eat a cricket in his regular tank, shifting the small pond stones, would have sparked nausea in him, causing the seizures or dizzyness. Despite this, it still doesn't really explain why he had one randomly returning to his moss platform after eating a lot of crickets, or why Bumpy seizured twice as well yet is fine now that his tetany is gone, unless the seizures are being caused by both the Spastic Tetany and an ear infection. At this point, I'm not really sure.

Just thought about this, but the Ear Infection might explain why Gnag seizured even after eating Calcium Dusted Crickets earlier on. On the other hand, it doesn't explain why Gnag's tetany revived only several days after being fed Calcium Dusted Crickets.

I'm going to try and feed him a large quantity of crickets either tonight or tomorrow (Likely the latter,) and if he eats those, place him back in his regular tank and try the same. This'll help discern whether it's Spastic Tetany, an Ear Infection, or both.

And, I definitely agree on the shaking around. It's horrible even thinking about having to do it I've got some less stressing ways planned to figure out if he's got an ear infection or not.

[Gnag the nameless]

Okay, updates on Gnag.

He's been looking better up until last two days, placed him back in his regular tank about four days ago.

I stopped Calcium Gluconate treatment for two days, yesterday and day before that, and last night Gnag seizured Also, he's been acting extremely spastic and terrified of me, which is incredibly unusual for him. During treatment, he did not eat much but he did eat and was not overly spastic, so I'm resuming treatment today, feeding tomorrow. I'm hoping that that's a clue to what the problem is. Right now, got him in 5% Calcium Gluconate bath and he's seemed to calm down, which I'm not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing.

I'm planning to revisit Vet sometime soon, so I will consult him on his opinion. If possible, we will give Gnag antibiotics for Ear Infection and see if that affects his condition.

[Heatheranne]

Wow! Poor little one. I'd love to hear what the vet says. Perhaps there is a second deficiency?

I'm so sorry you and Gnag are going through this.

I will continue to follow along. I hope this resolves soon for you.

Hugs!

[Gnag the nameless]

Rest in Peace, Gnag.

I found him this morning in his cave. He's gone. I suspect he had a really bad seizure, or died from other causes because he's always been able to leave his cave if he wanted to and his post-mortem examination doesn't seem to suggest drowning.

He was a fighter. I'm betting this was a neurological condition, not Spastic Tetany or an Ear Infection. So, there's nothing we could have done. But, at least he passed in his home, and is no longer suffering.

[Bombina Bob]

So sorry about Gnag Caspian You did your best and that was the only thing you could have done

[Heatheranne]

Sorry to hear about Gnag. He is in a peaceful place now. You're a great frog parent! Now he will remain in your best memories. Hugs!