Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I usually don't go onto this forum...because I have a great Vet friend of mine that has been helping me out with my frogs, but so far I have spent about $450 to keep them well. I'm willing to do whatever I can, but my funds are definitely running low, and I am in debt from these bills. Anyways...I own 4 Whites TreeFrogs. 3 of them are i a 40 gallon high w/ plenty of snake plants for them to climb, a resting net, and branches for them to climb on. I also have 2 water dishes in there, one big enough to fit 2, the other big enough to fit 1, just in case they all decide to soak at the same time. Because of the plants and personal preference, I have been using a dirt that I purchase at PetCo called EcoEarth. It comes extremely compact and dry, then I soak it in Spring Water I buy at Wal-Mart to get it wet, and cover the bottom of the cage with it. I change it once every 2-3 months just to assure there are no cricket eggs from the feces or bugs inside...and wipe down the edges w/ hydrogen peroxide and water (then re-rinsed w/ water and wiped dry.) My question is: what are the little bugs inside of my cage? I'm very frustrated because I remove the feces, and I don't even feed the frogs in the same cage as they live in, exactly for the fact that I don't want bugs or cricket eggs inside. They are like litte dust mites or something. They're about the size of a grain of sand, and I just recently treated all of my frogs for worms/parasites from an infestation they ingested in their meal. The frogs are as healthy as can be...beautiful skin, appetites still great, and there are no visible skin lesions. The feces are solid, and contain only undigestable cricket parts and cricket eggs from eaing the females ( I talked to the vet about this one.) Now, the cage is not full of these little bugs, I only see 4 or 5o them crawling around in the dirt every once in a while, and occassionally on fresh frog poop, but never inside of it, or on the dry stuff. I did, however, notice a few of them crawling on poor little Beamer. I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that these are just stupid little dust mites looking for something to drink and eat. They're a real light tan in color, but again are about the size of a grain of sand...a really small grain. I have questioned this forum in the past...probably years ago about this...but do not remember if I as dealing with the same thing. Also...to those of you who believe in prayer...which you all should! Please pray for my latest addition to the family, Audi. I just purhased her today from PetCo, and she isn't looking all that well. When I initially purchased her, I looked at all my options previous to buying, and when taken out of her cage, she hopped onto my hand immediately, and had the most beautiful big eyes, so I wanted her. I saw no visible ailments or lesions, but upon looking at her more closely after bringing her home, I noticed her left leg was significantly larger than her right. Again, I have a vet that I am extremely please w/in the results I had from treating my other frogs, and again turned to him. As I suspected, it is either a poor lymphatic return, or MBD. I currently have him on an anti-biotic in case it is the poor lymphatic return, also have him on some de-wormer in case he is also infested, and am dusting his crickets w/ herpcare. I will be dusting at every feeding, very light dusting mind you, so I am sure not to over do it, so if it is MBD, the nutritional intake should fix itself. Though I have read that once a frog has MBD, it is curable, but the disfiguration may never go away. I will love her regardless. Her skin condition also does not look to be the greatest...but I will take care of her a lot better that PetCo can. I am also going to see if I can get my money back on the purchase to help pay for the medicine...there is a 15 day health guarantee on her. It's not a life guarantee...so they can't pull the "well it's not dead" thing on me, it's a health guaratee. She was kept in a cage w/ feces over many parts of the ground, and with about 5 other frogs, 4 of which were also Whites, the other a Cuban. I will be writing a letter to the store, letting them know how upset I am w/ he conditions they keep the frogs. I don't understand why they can't at least clean out the poop, or put them in a bigger section of the set-up. Anyways...since I've told you all my life story, again I appreciate any input, advise, or prayers that you can offer me. Thanks ahead of time!

Hoping to save the world one frog at a time!

i did not read your hole post, only up to the insect part.

those insects are most likely collembolas or springtails, they eat decomposing plant material, frog feces, and the substrate. they will not harm your frog in any way, so dont be worried.

i am kinda busy right now, so i will read the rest of your post later!!

luke z
-----
http://luke_zecevic.tripod.com/frogsofaustralia

Someone else has been having the same problem, his bugs were some sort of beetles that hatched(they go through a larval stage like mealworms) and they killed a few of his frogs. I would suggest calling the company and complaining and getting a refund. And clean out your tank and get fresh substrate.

i fully read your post and i am pretty sure that they are collembolas, do they crawl over the frogs faeces much? collembolas/springtails range from .2 mm to 1cm , and as i said they will not harm your frog. i think the leg prob has nothing to do with the bugs, it is a seperate issue.

luke z
-----
http://luke_zecevic.tripod.com/frogsofaustralia

Oh I highly agree that the problem with Audi's leg is not the bugs at all. I just purchased her yesterday, and she was brought home with that problem. I think it's malnutrition and lack of space and a clean environment. I currently have her on medication that my Vet prescribed. Luckily, he gives them to me cheap seeing as I'm treating such a small animal. Unforuntately, I can't say the same about going to appointments, and find those to be the most costly. I will only make an appointment if the medications do not not help him. This is only the 2nd day on medications...and when I was giving Bentley her medicine, she was improving dramatically after the 5th day, so we will see how the medication goes. I just feel so badly for the frog...its leg is swollen so big it's hard, and it can't be comfortable! It still uses the leg, but probably as minimally as it has to. The leg is probably about twice the size it normally should be. Wish I had a digital camera...I would take pictures and download them. I also called the petstore...they told me the only thing they could do is have me give them the frog back, they'll take it to their Vet, and then give it back to me when it's healed...but they let it sit in that condition for a long time...would have taken a few days for it to get that swollen, and weeks for it's condition to result in that. I don't trust them, and prefer my Vet whom I know and trust, and have success with my other frogs in. Just continue to pray that they get better...5 more days of medications. I should start seeing some sort of improvement by Friday. Thanks...

Best of luck with the ill froggie and I agree that your unwanted critters are likely plant related. As far as the swollen leg, also be aware that one of the causes for this could be Redleg. A swollen leg was the first noticable symptom for one of my WTF's which led to the diagnosis - not at all saying that's what it is, just that it is a possibility. I'll post a link to my page on redleg if you'd like to check it out. And do keep us posted as to how your froggies do.
www.froggie.info - Redleg Page

-----
Happy Frogging!!!

~Becki~