Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

My parents have been watching over my bullfrog for about a month now. Just today, my dad has told me that the bullfrog seems to be less energetic, leaning to one side, a bit bloated, and hindlegs stuck out. Seems like a typical symptom due to toxins absorbed from the water. The bedding in the tank is gravel overlayed with some of pet store bought moss. The water is rain water dechlorinated. He eats crickets dust with multivitamin powder, but seems to be missing more often these days. And temperatures stay constantly in the 80s (housed outdoors in a tank). Recently, rain fell and flooded the tank...and I'm afraid it's causing some sort of infection due to bacteria in the gravel/moss. There are also various pondweeds that grow in the tank.

What is the best way to resolve this problem? I say a complete tank setup cleansing. Sucks I can't go back home to treat this myself but any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

Johnny

Big problems. Get rid of the gravel. What size is the tank? Even small bullfrogs need something like a 50 gallon tank. It could be the water. Put the frog on plain damp papertowels and cover the tank with background on all sides. Keep the tank warm and inside! in a quiet spot. Get it to the vet ASAP. It could be impaction, it could be red leg, it could be toxicity. The care isn't up to par, so it could be a lot of things. Andy
-----
Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Sorry, Spy, but the number 1 problem was leaving the frog in someone else's care for an extended period of time. I'm not blaming your folks, but they probably haven't the knowledge to care for an amphibian. The health of a pet is ultimately the responsibility of the pet owner! Anyway, see if your folks can move the frog inside where the temps and conditions won't fluctuate so much and a clean, sterile enclosure will help. Having a professional examine it, as SG88 suggested, is the best course of action. If the frog survives, give it to someone knowledgeable who can attend to it on a regular basis or return it to the same place you captured it, (if applicable). Good luck!

Hey,

Thanks for the advice guys. Kinda been telling myself the same things all night but there are circumstances beyond my control. I've had the frog since it was a tadpole back in high school in Jersey (about 6 years ago). We moved to TX and I'm here in Philly now...earliest I can head back would be Thanksgiving or December...=( I'm telling my dad (who is actually willing to get his hands dirty) to remove the substrate and do all Andy suggests. I guess everday changing of paper towels is a must for now.

Oh ya, Andy...I asked you in an earlier post about Dr. Larry White who's a herp specialist in the Houston area? Would you know if he gives advice over the phone?

Not to be dissing on my folks but I don't think I can convince my parents to bring a frog to a vet. They don't even speak english that well and will ultimately blame me for causing such a hassle.

~Johnny (kicking himself repeatedly)

He might give you advice if you need it. Not sure...I havn't dealt with him in a while as the past few times I have needed a vet, he has been out of town. If you want his phone #, I could look it up real fast. Just post a reply. Good luck. Andy
-----
Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Go easy on yourself, Spy. None of us is "Mr. Frog". I've had frogs of one variety or another since I was a kid and I still make decisions that leave my reasoning in question! The point is, is that we learn from our mistakes. You appear to be concerned about this situation and are following it up with action! Kudos to you for your determination! Alot of folks would dismiss it as "just a frog". I have a special affinity for American Bullfrogs and your original post shows that you care about this little guy. I'm hoping he/she pulls through and I wish the both of you (and your folks, too) much luck that this has a happy outcome!