Calcium Lack Paralysis or Back Injury???

[Heatheranne]

Hi all. I have read through all of the posts and comments.

I see a few health ailments going on here. The frog is both obese and edematous. There can be several different issues to tend to. Please bare with me as I assess each one and try to help.

Please remember, this is only to help. However the frog was cared for prior has not been good for this frog. I do not know the frogs previous owner, but I have worked closely with a herp vet over the last 4 years and also some very knowledgeable breeders. Please keep in mind, at this point it does not matter. All that matters now is that we help to get your frog healthy.

I'll number so it's easy to follow:

1. The frog is obese at an unhealthy level. He will soon progress into lymph heart failure, kidney failure and lipid keratpoathy in which he will also loose his eye sight.

To correct this situation I would not feed him super worms, waxworms, or mealworms. The chitin in their segments are like popcorn shells and cannot breakdown, leading to intestinal impaction, prolapse, and intestinal infections. Waxworms and super worms are like eating McDonald's every day. No nutritive value.

Healthy food choices are night crawler pieces of proper size. They are also soft and easy to digest . They are a good source of protein.

2. The trauma to the frog could have caused some circulation compromise. Monitor his limbs for movement, swelling, and discoloration.

3. Edema (swelling): ugh! This poor fella. He is so obese it's difficult to determine how much is edema. Edema occurs when the frog has improper electrolyte balance, trauma, or kidney failure. Lack of protein can also cause fluid shifts. Lack of nutrition and supplements can be corrected.

4. All captive bred frogs need supplements. This has been studied over and over. Captive bred diets are limited compared to that in the wild. Insects feast on healthy green plants that supply vitamins and calcium. The sun provides them with the vitamin D3 they need to properly absorb the calcium ingested. In captivity we must provide this for them.

Calcium with vitamin D3 should be lightly dusted on their food every other feeding.

Symptoms of lack of calcium in the body: numbness, tingling, twitching, tremors, lack of muscle control, weakness, paralysis and seizures, lack of intestinal motility, heart dysrhythmias. It limits all types of muscle functions including skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscle/visceral. This is because without calcium the impulses to move them are not functional.

Multivitamins for amphibians are also required. We all need small amounts of minerals and vitamins for vital body functions, such as potassium, magnesium, sodium and others. Amphibian MVI's are made specifically for them in proper concentrations. Repashy brand is the best one out there at the present time. Id recommend you use it as a light dusting once a week. Do not over do at this time as I am highly suspicious that this frog is possible having lymph and kidney issues. We don't want to overdose him either.

Pedialyte soaks: they are very helpful in redistributing proper electrolytes in sick and unhealthy amphibians. We are lucky in that they are like little sponges or blood vessels and can absorb through their skin. This is a temporary fix. The goal is to regain his health through proper nutrition.

5. Diet: this is a tough thing. We don't want to starve him but need to make healthier choices. Starving him will cause muscle wasting and more swelling. The goal is to feed better and just a bit less at a time.

Good gracious, I've written so much I need to read back through . I'll add more in just a few minutes.