American Toad weird symptoms. New owner, need help

[apr0705]

I like your suggestion, but I dont know if I could exactly do that because the tap water in my area is very contaminated so I have to treat all of it before I use it with the toads, so it would be a bit hard to shower him for that long out of a jug..although I would love to do that. For now I'm just gonna give him warm baths before and after feeding on the feeding days, does that sound like it would be enough?

[apr0705]

Also would you recommend force feeding him any dubias or worms or should I stick to the liquid mixture?

[KP]

Also would you recommend force feeding him any dubias or worms or should I stick to the liquid mixture?

I think you should stay with the Vet's prescription.
Did they schedule a follow-up appointment at your first visit? If so, then you'd want to keep strictly to the prescription until then, for sure.

[apr0705]

Wow you're very lucky with your water situation lol, it's a bit of a different story where i live.
They did not schedule a follow-up appt, though I may call them again just to ask for more advice. I hate having to put him through the force feeding every other night ): i just know he's miserable.

[KP]

Yeah I think you should definitely check-in with the Vet since it's their prescription you're following. I'm surprised they didn't suggest a follow-up appointment for you. Do they have Amphibians and/or Reptiles as a part of their practice or did they just see Terry as a one-off kind of thing?

Yes I see the conditions in my "compound" as I call it as atypically ideal in almost every respect and the water here is probably the single most significant blessing of all.
You should check out my photo albums here and see this playlist on my youtube channel to get an idea of my work propagating Hyla versicolor and Hyla chrysoscelis Frogs and Anaxyrus Toads: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...8f46gZXD7Bq3FD I encourage anyone with any way of doing the same kind of Frog, Toad, and other amphibian propagation on their property to do the same.

[apr0705]

They said they don't get a lot of reptiles in their office. But we did see a certified Exotic vet, I found her on https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661
Very interesting, I will definitely take a look at your work!!

[KP]

Oh good that's the directory site I recommend to people to find a Vet for their Rep's and Amp's.
So back to what I said, I'd say just follow their prescription and be patient. I think you said they told you it could take a while.
Also my experience with domesticated Frogs, Toads, Turtles, Tortoises, Newts, and an Alligator made me realize that they're more responsive to the vibe and care you give them than most people would even imagine. Terry senses your compassion and that'll mitigate the necessarily firm handling it takes to feed him. These little critters do have feelings and they do sense human intent and love. I know my frogs, all of which came into their lives with disabilities that would have made them snacks for predators within the first few hours or days at the longest, each have their own personalities and respond to me in different ways. Having them in a domestic setting and interacting with them upgrades them in ways just as it dulls their instincts in other ways. Hang-in there for Terry.

The other thing I'm wondering is if the Vet can be certain his trouble is a blockage, is there a way to enter the cloaca with something like a tweezer/speculum and pull the blockage out? I'd ask the Vet that question. If they can sedate the patient the cloaca would be more relaxed and that would make that kind of procedure easier. Just wondering. If they can do that it would be a surgery without any cutting or stitching.

[KP]

I like your suggestion, but I dont know if I could exactly do that because the tap water in my area is very contaminated so I have to treat all of it before I use it with the toads, so it would be a bit hard to shower him for that long out of a jug..although I would love to do that. For now I'm just gonna give him warm baths before and after feeding on the feeding days, does that sound like it would be enough?

Oh no, then definitely don't do it out of the tap. I think you could try to get crafty and creative to rig a way to do it with the treated water you can use. Certainly keep doing the warm baths like the Dr. said.
I have a very deep well and the water has no impurities whatsoever, no metal imbalances, and the ph is neutral. Has a little sulfur but I have a large, inline filter system that catches it before it gets into the plumbing.