From a previous post I made on caudata.org that includes a reference

snip "I would suggest being very careful with the melafix as this is an extract from the melaleuca tree and has been shown to be toxic to mammals and is readily absorbed through the skin (see Villar D, Knight MJ, Hansen SR, Buck WB. Toxicity of melaleuca oil and related essential oils applied topically on dogs and cats. Vet Human Toxicol. 1994;36(2):139-142.



Abstract: "Cases of melaleuca oil toxiosis have been reported by veterinarians to the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) when the oil was appled dermally to dogs and cats. In most cases, the oil was used to treat dermatologic conditions at inappropriate high doses. The typical signs observed were depression, weakness, incoordination and muscle tremors. The active ingredients of commercial melaleuca oil are predominantly cyclic terpenes. Treatment of clinical signs and supportive care has been sufficient to achieve recovery without sequelae within 2-3 days."



"Toxicity: The most common clinical signs reported to the Animal Poison Control Center by veterinarians with adverse reactions in dogs and cats after dermal exposure of melaleuca oil include ataxia, incoordination, weakness, tremors, behavioral disorders and depression. The acute toxcicity (rabbit dermal LD 50 and rat oral LC 50) for the major terpenic compounds (linalool, ocimene, alpha-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, terpinolene, camphene) ranges between 2 and 5 g/kg body weight, which is considered a moderately toxic range. From a toxicologic standpoint melaleuca oil can be compared to oil of turpentine, which is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and skin." endsnip



Melaleuca oil is derived from three different types of trees and has been shown to be variable in its concentration as well as its makeup over the course of a year.

In addition, amphibian skin is very porus to a lot of different items, much more so then that of mammals or birds, so if you have a chemical that is readily absorbed via the skin in mammals it will be much more readily absorbed in amphibians (much like how scaleless fish are known to be much more sensitive to some medications.....)



It will take time for documented references in amphibians to come out as the vast majority of people that keep amphibians do not seek appropriate medical care nor do they get necropsies performed to see if the reason the animal died.



As for the liver, yes livers can regrow over time, however if there is sufficient tissue death the animal can die and in aquatic amphibians, disruption of the liver can be a major source of "bloat"...



Ed

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