Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just finished reading the Bloated Dwarf Frog thread, and now I'm a LOT more worried...
My frog is at least two years old (he was a classroom pet before I "rescued" him, and I don't know how long the prof owned him), and he's always been happy and active. A few months ago, though, I noticed that he was getting really abnormally fat. I feed him dried brine shrimp and Frog Bites, although I've cut back his meals to the point that I'm afraid I'm starving him. Despite that, he looks like he swallowed a quarter. I don't think it can be dropsy, because it has lasted such a long time and his limbs aren't swollen, and I would imagine that if it was some sort of abdominal blockage he'd have died by now. Any thoughts at all?

Is there any way you can post a picture? I would start feeding him, rather than starve him. Try feeding frozen bloodworms or a live food such as chopped earth worm or blackworms.

I'll do what I can to get a picture up - we're a little technology-challenged at my dorm... I had heard that bloodworms were *bad* for frogs, that they messed up their digestive tracts, or something? I was planning on getting a different food, though, so I'll switch to that. (The pellets he eats now said that they might cause "rapid growth," but this is just ridiculous.)

There are alot of rumors out there about blood worms. The truth is that they are fine as long as you vary the frogs diet. Feeding any one type of food for too long will eventually cause problems.

Maybe that's the problem? I've been feeding him pretty much the same pellets for the past two years...

I'd certainly say this diet was a problem, but whether it caused the particular problem with this frog is hard to say:
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary/Hymenochirus.html
Frankly, I'm surprised your frog lasted two years on a diet of just dried pellets. Try some chopped small earthworms or daphnis if it'll still eat.
-----
Mike.
--
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary

Oh, he'll still eat - he really doesn't seem to notice anything is out of the ordinary.
Daphnis? What are those?

"Oh, he'll still eat - he really doesn't seem to notice anything is out of the ordinary. Daphnis? What are those?"
Sorry, typig was off. Daphnia:
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary/frogfood2.html#13
-----
Mike.
--
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary

Got it. Thanks!

I just took a look at your page, and my frog looks a *lot* more like your "mystery frog" than the ADFs.
I really wish I could figure out how to post a picture here...

Those pellets are pretty good but i use them as a supplement. i also use bloodworms alternated with brine shrimp some pellets and a liquid mix thing that has vitamins. I have had this problem with one of my dwarf frogs but it sadly died. that's why i got one today and am getting 2 more on monday. Is there anything else in the tank with the frog and how big is the tank?
And to post a picture you must upload in the pictures gallery then select under the window where it says select image.
I hope you come out of this ok and that your frog does too.
Good luck
Demon

Do you know what the liquid-vitamin stuff is called? I'll try to run out and get him some!
He lives alone in a plastic one-gallon tank, with a big plastic plant, a shell he hides out in, and colored gravel.
Thanks for the concern!

Ok i did my searching and the vitamin enhanced type stuff is called ReptoTreatTM Delica Bloodworms they are made by tetra and cost some money but i use it as a supplement so i use very little of it, they keep indefinitly unless opened then it has to be frozen or refrigerated i forget which one. i used it to try to let my 3 baby dwarfs eat but they and the ones in the store all died, which i thought was odd...anyway i found "The Stuff" in a superpet or petsmart when i was looking for more frogs....good luck and hope you win.
Demon.

Oh this is my snake

Well, I took a picture of my frog today, so as soon as I get it developed I'll put it up and see if anyone can figure out what's wrong with him based on that...
Thanks for the help!
That's a darling snake - what kind is it?

Remember to not use the vitamin supplement too often. I would say no more than once a week.

That snake tis a wild caught (by me) northern brown snake baby. and the vitamin thing is not really a supplement it is a food that I use as a supplement.
Demon

Gotcha. Thanks a bunch!

Okay! Do I have to change his water differently, so that the stuff doesn't build up in his tank, or will that not be a problem?

Um water changes
I haven't done that in a while but my tank is pretty self cleaning, um to be honest i don't know i have never kept my frogs in less than 5 gallons for 2 but that is because i didn't have anything smaller. You have gone out of the bounds of my knowledge so i can no longer be of much help.
Good luck
Demon

Ah well. Thank you anyway!