Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tonight before I turned off the lights in my azureus tank I noticed one of my frogs had a small white spot on the middle of his back. Could this be fungus; if so what could have caused it? I am thinking that maybe there is to much moisture in the tank because of the water fall that I have in it. Also, will this go away on its own or should I bring it to exotics vet at my work to be looked at and maybe get some baytril on that puppy?
Thanks in advance.
ADAM

Hi Adam,

Is the white spot fuzzy? If it is fuzzy then it is probably a fungal infection. If not I have no idea what it is. Treating a frog for an incorrect diagnosis could be as harmful as not treating it all so its important to find out exactly what it is. If you can find a vet in your area that has experience with amphibians you might want to consider taking the frog to him/her as soon as you can. Have a look at www.arav.org to locate one.

At the pet store I work at we have used anti-fungal medications designed for fish to treat fire-bellied newts with success. Maybe soaking the frog in solution of water and one of the many anti-fungal medications or using an eye droper to treat the wound would work out. Frogs don't just rot and start to grow mold if it gets too wet in a terrarium so most likely the frog got a scrape or other wound on its back and it started developing from there. If the frog is in a tank with other frogs I would also recomend isolating it to a new terrarium as soon as you can. I'm probably not the best one to answer this question so others that have more experience please correct anything that I wrote or add onto it. Good luck,
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
3.2 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.1 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys scripta
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

Could it be shedding? While there are fungal infections that will infect frogs, it's unlikely that a fungus is going to grow on a healthy frog's skin. They have protective excretions that prevent this. I doubt that "too wet" is the issue with dart frogs, which require high humidity unless they are in a situation where they are forced to be in stagnant standing water.

I don't think arbitrarily shot-gun treating a dubious looking spot is ever a good idea. Find out what it is first, then treat specifically. It's much too easy to do more harm than good with inappropriate treatment, which may include unnecessary handling and resulting stress.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus pending