Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Gulf Coast toad pooped out a 4" translucent(pale, colorless) worm. It looked like a tapeworm, but the toad is growing very quickly and seems to be suffering no ill effects. Does anyone know if toads are succeptible to tapeworms, or was it likely some other parasite?
I've had the w/c toad for @ 6 months, and its seemed fine all along. Gone from @ 1 inch to 5 inches.
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

Aurans are extremly suseptable to parasite, and yes even tapeworm. Some of the parasites they have are specific to the species. For example Cane Toads have Parasites in their lungs specific just to them. Keep in mind that not all parasites are bad, some have a beneficial relationship to the host. Although Tapeworm is not benefical to frogs. I would take it to a vet, get a fecal sample tested to make sure its tapeworm and see if there is a medication that can be given to treat the worm.

Hope this helps
Kristen

I agree with Kristen, the frog absolutely requires veterinary care.

Question for Kristen: I am very aware that some parasites will not necessarily have a negative effect on the health of its host. These parasites have a neutral effect. I am unaware of any parasites that have a positive effect on its host. Can you provide any examples?
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

Hey Colchicine
An example of a parasite that is beneficial to the host would be trichonympha. These little animals are found in termites. To put it simply termites cannot digest wood without these parasites in their bodies. Trichonympha has the ability to breakdown and digest wood then "passes" the nurtrients on to the termite host. Without these little guys termites could not survive.

Kristen

trichonympha and termites are an example of mutualism, not parasitism. Both benefit from the relationship.
If the former parasite lives on a host and does no damage, then its called commensalism. (Ball moss on a tree does no harm-it grows on already-dying branches. However, the moss benefits, while the tree does not)
Only if an animal harms its host is it officially a parasite.
(but I get your point)
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

Yeah, that was my understanding of all this, too. This is the primary definition in dictionary.com (I just checked), which obviously contradicts any helpful characteristic:

Biology. An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.

My Biology text takes it further to say that the host is "harmed in the process," which is the definition I've always been familiar with.
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

Wouldn't it be a symbiotic relationship, if beneficial, rather than a parasitic?
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*~Ginevive~*
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