Illness question about African Dwarf Frog.

[Ducky]

How do I handle a hospital tank if I lack a heater or thermometer for it? The temperature here, outside anyways, is 55F. The tank would probably get too cold for him. I've never had this before and I am fairly inexperienced. My concern is that he may get better where he is, but the combined stress and temperature change could finish him off if I try and put him somewhere else. The last (and only) time I ever had a frog with issues, moving him caused him to die pretty quickly.

He ate yesterday (I think), and he has been spending more time in his usual spot on the bottom. Trying to dig under the Java ferns like he always does. If his behavior is getting more back to normal, even if it's only slightly, is that a good sign, or just a coincidence, and it means something else?

Also, how contagious could he be if there's salt in the water?

[tgampper]

My concern is the other frogs becoming infected. If it is a serious bacterial or fungal infection, then it will spread quickly to the other frogs. In this case, I would take the risk in moving the frog to a hospital tank and providing treatment. If it is a bacterial infection, you can try using tetracycline used for tropical fish.

[Ducky]

Does Maracyn 2 do anything to help? I have a packet of that sitting around.

I have noticed his eyes look OK (not as brightly colored as the others, but not cloudy), and his behavior becoming more normal. He also seems to be swimming more quickly. Yesterday he was taking his time to go up and down for air, now he's going at the same speed as the others. Does saltwater really make that much of a difference?

On closer inspection, it looks like his pigment might just be getting really light, like he's turning albino or piebald. He has really clear, dark spots on some of the discolored areas, so it's not growing on top of his skin. He doesn't have anything actually growing on him as far as I can tell. His skin quality looks normal, he's just turning a different color and his spots are fading away. He was always darker than the other frogs, but now he's almost as light as Homer (the palest). I wonder if he's even sick... I assumed he was because of his unusual behavior the other day (constantly sleeping at the surface of the water).

I'm really confused now! It's kind of the same color as when they bash their noses and the tip gets a different color. Could it be from a fight?

[Ducky]

Alright, scratch that last post... I am starting to think it's definitely a fungal infection.

Some people have said Maroxy is best for that. It's Easter and everywhere is closed. Does Maracyn 2 do anything?

[artes]

Do you have any Melafix? It would be better than nothing.

[Ducky]

Nope, just Maracyn 2. I did put salt in the water the other day, and his behavior improved. He's a lot less lethargic. Will he still be contagious if there's salt in the water? Will it help make him better? I've read somewhere it can, but I can't seem to find any concise answers.

[artes]

Salt will help. Melafix is sold at Wal-Mart, and they are open today, if you can get out for it. I honestly don't know if Maracyn will do anything. The reason I suggested Melafix is because its kind of a weaker medicine, so it shouldn't hurt him further (as long as you dose properly), whereas Maracyn is kind of strong, so if it doesn't work it wouldn't be good for him.