Faking His Death

[TheMaskedMan]

Yea thats sounds like they were dead.... Frogs are delicate, one momment they are fine, turn around for a momment and they are dead. Ive had a few die for no apparent reason.

[Eel Noob]

Interesting to find out how that dark eye would turn out like.

They're even smaller than when I first rescued mines.

[UncleChester]

That's somewhat disturbing. I wonder if it's a voluntary response. "Respawn" is an excellent name for him though

I recently ran across a Green frog, Rana Clamitans, that had near-pitch black eyes (picture is attached). Its body was the darkest I had ever seen though, unlike your little Gray whose appearance is otherwise normal. I have no idea what causes this.

[charlamanda]

Humm! I know i'm repeating myself but, I am familiar with lots of these little fellas. (I slept late today, not feeling so hot so forgive my puncuation and spelling, LOL)
I noticed as little froglets there eyes tend to be black, but only when the light is dim. When Tiny performed this flip and flop, he did die, but i am wondering if there is a neurological problem here. Like narcaleptcy, or more likely, a seizure condition? or another type of stress response? The function that causes our eyes to react to the light and dark is a neurological function and if this little froglet does have a problem it could explain the eyes unable to, in a sense, close or focus because of the pupiliar response not initiating! I really hate to say this, but I truely beleive that this froglet have some kind or a neurological problem(immature or damaged) or some type of mineral or chemical deficiency.
I too have, now 13, Gray Treefroglets I raised from tadpoles and I really hate to see them with problems, I am truely a sucker for the ill, probably because I am too
It maybe a problem that may pass due to a underdeveloped neurological system, a eviromental toxin, or maybe a permanent one that may only worsen and most likely the froglet will....expire.
I hate to even say this, but before I went to nursing school I majored in Mechanical Engineering and Biology, I am very ambishes and I have been in the medical feild as a Medical assistant and xray tech for almost 22 years,I've seen this before in mice and humans and it doesn't end well!
It is alwayspossible, however, that this little fella will be fine and I am sure everyone will hope for that as much as I am. Keep us posted!

[charlamanda]

Oh, I forgot! Where did you find these guys? Is the water poluted, that you know of, or is it in an area that has a lot of run off from a roadway, factory or anything else that could harm the frogs?

If it is an enviromental toxin I am wondering if there is something you could try like, folic acid or something benign for the frog that could either neutralize or detoxify the frog without harming it?
Can anyone suggest something like this for her to try? or can she give the frog any supplements like Ca or Mg or a Pedialyte bath at this stage of developement that won't harm the froglet?
Is there anything she can give the frog for seizures, if thats what it is, like phenobarb, primadone..etc. that is appropriate for a frog or don't vets bother treating a frog with seizure disorders?
*******Since I am only comfortable and knowlegable with humans and other pets (dogs, cats and rabbits) DO NOT try anything I suggested until someone with frog experience or a Vet says it's ok, I don't want to harm your little guy with my lack of experience with them.
Best of luck and hopefully someone will have some answers for you.

[crhoads18]

I played with the brightness and contrast of the first picture, and as you can see he does have pupils. In a bit of a rush now, I'll post more later.

[charlamanda]

That is reassuring, you do have yourself an enigma! This is good news, since, as I am sure your familiar with, when a person has some neurological trauma, head injury, the first thing you check are pupilary response to light, if your froglet is reacting..thats a very good sign. I am still a bit concerned with the flip and flop menuver..has he she still been doing that and how often?
I'll check back later when you can write more, I'd really like to help you get to the bottom of this so you can help your little froglet. Did you name him/her yet?