Sick red-eyed tree frog?

[sepgundamrg]

I would increase the day temperature to 85 and keep the night temp at 75 degrees. In nature it is not unusual to see Red Eyed Tree Frogs BASKING--yes basking--in the sun. Sick frogs seek warmer temperatures (inducing a "fever") which triggers the frogs natural immune response. To induce fever, raise tank temperature to 90-95 degrees for eight hours, carefully monitoring your frog for stress. Give him the next day off, reducing the tank temperature to 85 degrees and repeat the fever on the third day, again, monitoring the frog to ensure he is tolerating the fever. Give him the 4th day off fever and induce fever again on the 5th day. Then maintain the 85 degree day temp and 75 degree night temp, and see how he does. Good luck.

How should I go about raising the temp?

[Marilyn]

How should I go about raising the temp?

Use a red heat lamp. Direct it at the outside glass of the tank opposite the tank thermometer. Carefully monitor until the thermometer reads 95. Check regularly. If you are unable to get the tank temp up to 95 place a piece of foil over half of the screen top or move the lamp slightly closer. Be careful not to create any hot spots on the glass. Red Eyes are notorious for getting too close to hot lamps and lights and cooking themselves. If the Red Eye seems slightly better by day 5, wait a week and repeat the process. Be sure to induce fever only when you will be home to monitor the entire 8-hr fever process, and check on your frog at regular intervals looking for any signs of distress.

[sepgundamrg]

Use a red heat lamp. Direct it at the outside glass of the tank opposite the tank thermometer. Carefully monitor until the thermometer reads 95. Check regularly. If you are unable to get the tank temp up to 95 place a piece of foil over half of the screen top or move the lamp slightly closer. Be careful not to create any hot spots on the glass. Red Eyes are notorious for getting too close to hot lamps and lights and cooking themselves. If the Red Eye seems slightly better by day 5, wait a week and repeat the process. Be sure to induce fever only when you will be home to monitor the entire 8-hr fever process, and check on your frog at regular intervals looking for any signs of distress.

Any other suggestions to raise temp? unfortunately vet car payment and insurance come out of this super small check, so I will be completely wiped. Or do you suggest skipping the vet and trying this for 2 weeks?

[Kurt]

I would suggest the vet first. I have never heard of red-eyes basking, as they are an extremely nocturnal species.

[Marilyn]

I would suggest the vet first. I have never heard of red-eyes basking, as they are an extremely nocturnal species.

It goes without saying that the vet is the BEST option. Most of us want to try something else first, which is why this forum is so helpful and useful. Many captive amphibians are not kept warm enough during the day--and, yes, the temp should be lower at night. Sick nocturnal frog species have been known to bask in the sun during the day. This induces fever which activates the immune response.

[Marilyn]

The medical community is very much aware of the benefits of the human body's ability to create a fever to fight off infections and viruses. Cold-blooded amphibians do not possess this ability and therefore sick amphibians depend upon the sun's hot rays to do this for them.

[sepgundamrg]

I should be calling the vet tomorrow to see how much a visit will cost, if it isn't too much I will take them in.

I should also add that he is looking perfectly fine now. All the discoloration is gone and he is back to a healthy weight.