Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two Bufo spinulosus sold to me as Chilean Christmas Toads. After speaking with several others who have kept them I was told much the same thing. "I wasn't able to keep mine alive after 2 or 3 months"... Well I am coming up on 5 months now in October.

ANYWAY, one of them came out just before lights out, hanging out at the entrance of their cave that I have built them. (A curved piece of drift wood turns upside down and partly burried under the bed a beast making them a sweet little undeground cave to tuck away on. They love it!!!

Well the one was sitting at the cave opening and looked to be panting, mouth open and all. And it's face, mostly around the nose and eyes was very moist like it's nose is runny and its eyes are watering.

Any idea what this could be?

I have them in a temp tank which is only 10 gallons. (we are going to construct a larger enclosure for them once we move into our new house) they are on Bed A Beast with some live moss covering just an area here or there. A water dish large enough to fit both of them at the same time, water is changed every day if not twice a day. (they like to use it as their potty) Temps are mid 70s day and high 60s low 70s in the evening. (they prefer cooler temps coming from the mountains of Chile) And finally, I feed them about 4 large crix (just befor they chirp) every other day (had to cut back, they were getting kinda chunky hee hee) and I dust every 3rd or 4th feeding.

What can I do while I try to locate a herp vet around here? Dang money is tight because of buying the house. Of course this couldn't happen in two weeks... AFTER we are in the new house and bills are back to norm again.

Any help would be great please!!!
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Heather

It sounds like your critters have a bacterial upper respiritory infection. I've seen amphibs get them from irritants in their bedding/furniture. In the past, when I had a herp with one of these, I raised their temp to the upper part of their range and kept them well hydrated. I've seen vets give antibiotics to larger herps for these, but I don't know if that will help your little guys. I hope it's not too late for them. I don't know much about Christmas toads. If their mortality rate is as high as you say, you can bet I will put them at the top of my rehab research list. Good luck. I hope they get better. In the mean time, I'll be digging for as much data on them as I can find.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I have a "friend" in Chile that I'm going to email. He's a herptologist there and he may have some ideas as well.

I'm almost wondering it perhaps it got just a little too warm in the tank. I haven't had the AC as low as usual today bcause of the wonderful cool breeze outside. So right now I'm testing out a back of ice strapped to the inside of the lid to bring down the temps.

She is back out and hunting crix and het face doesn't looks quite so "gooy" right now. So I'm going to keep an eye on her and see if it was a temperature thing.

Thanks again!
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Heather

I'm sorry, I almost forgot. I usually put them in a sterile environment until they get better. You know, the whole paper, subtrate, plastic hide bit. Stuff that I can change/wash easily.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.