We have multiple American bullfrogs that keep developing lesions. Directly following their arrival from Carolina Bio Lab Supply in September, their feet became swollen and red so we began dosing the water with 26.6ml of stress coat every water change (twice a week). Their feet got better but then in December, they developed lesions on their legs and back, which start as what look like black blisters or slight discolorations. The bullfrogs were housed with a wild caught leopard frog that died and may have brought something into the system. We have tried a number of treatments recommended to us by our veterinarian including: food injected 0.1mL Enrofloxacin (5mg/mL) for about 2 weeks in conjunction with topical silvadene to wounds, 0.07mL Enrofloxacin (22.7mg/mL concentration) applied transdermally to their back (never on top of wounds) for 2 weeks. Neither treatment seemed to improve the wounds and silvadene actually seemed to irritate it more because of the application process.



They are housed in a 250 gallon aquarium with about 50 gallons of water (in aquarium and sump). Ambient air temperature is 75-80*F, humidity 80-88%, water temperature 72-75*F, pH 8.8-8.9, ammonia 0, and nitrite 0.01-0.02mg/mL. There are 3 Repti-glo 5.0 UVB bulbs, 3 Repti-glo 2.0 UVB bulbs, and 2 Repti-glo 25 watt heat bulbs mounted 20” above the frogs with plexiglass below them. The exhibit was created using a layer of bricks on the bottom, a layer of pea gravel, then a layer of freshwater Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate. There are three long planters with drain holes in the bottom, a layer of pea gravel, a layer of Eco-Complete, and then a layer of Organic Soil (we planned to have live plants but they didn’t work out). The decorative rock is flagstone. We have a sock filter, blue pre-filter, bioballs, and a pump sponge to help filtration. There is also a rain-bar made from irrigation dripline. Both of these pumps are sitting directly in the sump. We use tapwater that is run through a mechanical pleated filter, and then a carbon filter to fill the tank after water changes. Two TetraFauna ReptoGuard Sulfa-Blocks are placed in the sump about once a month (they advertise they last 45-60 days however they disintegrate a lot quicker in our tank).



Attached are photos of the aquarium and the frogs. The password for photos is "bullfrog". Any ideas on what could be causing this would be greatly appreciated!!


Photos of Bullfrogs & Exhibit

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