Suspected Impaction

[jtay]

After a blowfly feast last week little frog (L. aurea) has been spending far too much time in the water, every morning for a good 4 - 5 hours, and all day today. I suspect she may have an impaction or difficulties as blowflies have somewhat of a hard exoskeleton, and I know young frogs have trouble digesting them (she is not that young though).
I believe she has passed some as after her long baths there are flecks of shinny blowfly exoskeleton in the water.
She is still active and alert, humidity in tank is fine, and her sister is acting fine and normal.
I am wondering about this 'warm water bath' I have seen mentioned. Can someone outline the details or me - temp, duration, how often, etc..., and some other remedies for impaction?
Thanks

[Jace]

Hi, Jess. I hope your little frog is doing okay. I can't pass on any advice on impaction, unfortunately...or maybe it's fortunate that I haven't experienced it. Either way, I have tried the warm baths for other reasons and if nothing else, the frog seems to enjoy it. It's hard to describe the temp of the water-definitely not bath water or dishes warm, but above cool. If that makes any sense. I left my frog sit in it for 15 minutes and topped it up as necessary. Hope everything works out for her.

[Ebony]

Hi Jess..Unfortunately I have no experience with impaction also..I do think its a good sign that she has passed some numbers two's already. Im sure someone here will be able to give you advise. I hope she will be OK.

[jtay]

Thanks Jo-Anna and Ebony.
She just did a small but entire poo in the water, perhaps not an impaction? I'm not sure, maybe she will feel better now...
I will try the warm water bath tomorrow.

[Paul Rust]

Jess,
Spending lots of time with it's bum in the water can be a sign of parasites as well. Just a thought. Hope it turns out well.

[charlamanda]

I've had 2 similar situations and both are about my Gray Tree froglets. Sit #1: 5 of the 10 larger froglets where eating so many small/medium crickets, I decided to buy some adult crickets, we actually enjoy their chirping it always sounds like summer. The adults, other than really skeeving me, seemed so large, but without hesitation they gobbled them up. Then I noticed that those 5 were sitting in the water when previously I never saw them there. I watched a few, off and on, for hours and even witnessed some hiccupping. It was my same thought that perhaps the adults exoskeletons where too hard for their digestive tracts, since they are still only a about 3 months old and less than 2". I have seen them poop, but you can definitely see the resemblance to the crickets in their #2's, especially the ovipositors.
****Even though they don't seem to be having any serious problems with the adult crickets I am a bit concerned they may not be getting all the nutritious benefits from them apposed to the smaller/younger crickets when digesting.
***But I would think that the adult crickets provide more calcium in their exoskeletons, if the froglets can digested them.
Situ #2: I have 3 very small froglets I keep in a separate 10 gal tank. They are the same age as the other 10, but are small enough to fit on the tips of my fingers. These 3 are Baby, Hoppy and Shadoobie (who needs a new name). I took them in because they were 1. very small (Shadoobie) and Baby was so severely emaciated 2. Hoppy had a deformed leg and was also very small. They are all doing well, except for Shadoobie who is not as robust as the other 2, but still at a healthy size/weight. When I moved them into the 10 gal I noticed they would sit in their swimming pool...a lot. I didn't have one in the old tank because the friut flies, I kept in there all the time, would stampeed directly to it and drown, so I kept it nice and humid. Now they are spending hours in there and return frequently. I am wondering if the reason for their slow growth and previous emaciation was due to parasites and is the reason for them frequenting the pool. It could also be the difference in humidity, but it doesn't explain the growth issue.
***At their current size would it be too much of a risk or strain to their little bodies for deworming?
and
***What would be the best dewormer and dose for their size? I know I've gotten this info before, but there has been a lot of conflicting advice and I can't figure out the dose for these frogs, since they are soooooo small!
Thanks for the help.

[jtay]

Jess,
Spending lots of time with it's bum in the water can be a sign of parasites as well. Just a thought. Hope it turns out well.

Hi Paul, yeah I have considered that. I should do a fecal to check.