Help needed

[kenderdine]

I found a nearly-dead frog/toad in my garden this morning, and need help and advice to try and revive and save it.

We are in mid Winter here is SA, and have had an exceptionally cold Winter so far. The temperatures have been as low as -1 C and up to 18 C at midday.

This frog/toad has a dark brown mottled skin, it is very thin and looks dehydrated. It was frozen cold when I picked it up, but as my hand warmed it, I could feel it breathing. It is about 3 inches long. My guess is that it is a Guttural Toad, as it was found very close to the site where I heard a G. Toad call during the Summer. I will attempt to attach a photo.

At the moment, I have it wrapped up in a box, and the temp. is about 20 C. It does not move, its eyes are shut, but it is still breathing. I am worried about making it too warm - should it be hibernating? Please advise me on temperature and food. I have a small fish tank I can keep it in - what sort of material should I provide for it to burrow under?

Any help will be much appreciated.

[Paul Rust]

We are going to need that photo to identify it before any advice can be given.

[Ebony]

Hi there kenderdine, Yes as Paul has said a photo would be good. It most likely was in a hibernating state, but if it is skinny as you say then it maybe unwell. Was the frog out in the open when you found it?

[kenderdine]

Thanks for the replies. Yes the frog was lying right out in the open.

I have two photos in photobucket, but cant remember how to download them to Frog forum - sorry!

[kenderdine]

[kenderdine]

[kenderdine]

Photos at last - can anyone identify this frog? Thanks.

[Kurt]

Its a Bufonid or toad. I do not know what species exactly. Maybe fellow South African, Darryn "Buck" Rogers can ID it for you.

[kenderdine]

Just a final update. Sadly my toad has died - I shall miss him calling in the Summer months - I had become very attached to him.

I was a bit disappointed that I did not receive any immediate emergency help while we were deciding what species he was. Frog Forum is much slower to respond than my Oscar Fish Forum - but I am sure you guys did your best.

[Ebony]

Im so sorry your frog died. I wish we had been able to help you.

[Kurt]

Just a final update. Sadly my toad has died - I shall miss him calling in the Summer months - I had become very attached to him.

I was a bit disappointed that I did not receive any immediate emergency help while we were deciding what species he was. Frog Forum is much slower to respond than my Oscar Fish Forum - but I am sure you guys did your best.

Sorry about your loss. Yes, we did our best, but for us to help you with your given situation the right member has to see you post in time and thats a hit or miss situation. Your first priority should have been to find a frog savy vet. Sometimes we can help you find one, sometimes not. Asking for medical advice on a forum is not the best way of going about things, as most of are not veterinarians. We maybe able to help you with some things, but when it comes to illnesses we can only help cure your frog maybe 25% of the time. If the frog is in advanced stages of an illness, that percentile drops to almost zero. We can help you with proper husbandry, diet, species identification/natural history, and simple medical issues, but thats about it. Again I am sorry for your loss.

[kenderdine]

Thank you for the replies.