Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey herp experts out there,

I've been keeping and growing frogs since I was 10, but only recently did one of my bullfrogs start having troubles. It grew from a tadpole and is about 4 inches now after 4 years in captivity. Recently I transported it into a new tank complete with gravel on the bottom and terrarium moss I bought from a pet store. I've fed it June bugs, grasshoppers and crickets so far and noticed that it started getting bloated. However, bowel movements are normal (everyday) and no blood signs or runny feces etc. The problem is he's recently always hunched over and compacting his body. His left eye is cloudy but the right one is fine. It looks like an infection and I don't want it to spread any further.

My old tank was messier...it came complete with natural dirt, plants, and I hardly clean it except to change the water. I would think this new tank would be cleaner and he'd be more healthy. The tank's inside the house with the AC on all day but I have a clean water dish and I spray mist every now and then. Can somebody tell me what is wrong? Is it the store-bought moss? Was it the junebugs? Is he just molting? Should I apply Betadine solution? Somebody please help. Thanks a lot.

I would take it to the vet. Get rid of the gravel first as well. Only problems can result from large frogs on gravel. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. But what is wrong with gravel? It's all underneath the thick layer of moss...he couldn't have ingested any. I still don't understand the cloudy ONE eye though. His appetite is still fine. Are there any home remedies I can try on him first? Thanks.

I believe sometimes bloating has to do with water conditions. What sort of what do you use? If the frog is eating that in itself is a good sign. The eye could possibly point to a bacterial infection or abcess. I would get it to a vet in either case. Gravel is also pretty messy and hard to totally clean...IMO it is worthless. But if you like it and you are sure the frog can not ingest it, then go ahead. Good luck to you. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Hey, thanks again for the quick reply. I forgot to mention when the frog is in water, only one of his eyes is protruding out--the other one is covered up by his lens (as if he was swallowing). In addition, he's not sitting up when he's immersed but rather kind of spread out with his forearms to his sides, which doesn't seem like a good sign. Any more ideas what's causing this? He doesn't seem bloated in water, but when he's out he's crouched inwards like in a defensive posture.

I would take him to a vet but I need time to find one around my area so I'd like to see if there is anything I can do for him in the meantime...

Thanks!

Point blank: The animal is sick and suffering, and REQUIRES veterinary care. There are no home remedies to solve as serious problems as these.

On top of what Andy said, there are problems: wild caught foods are a source of parasites and toxins. The bloat can easily be a sign of kidney failure. You also make no mention of water quality... you must test for pH and ammonia!! The posture you described is similar to one in which the animal is trying to minimize is exposure to high ammonia levels in the water.

I urgue you to go now WHILE it is still eating, as I can promise you it will not continue. Please do us a favor and report back on the vet's findings.
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*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

Alright, I'll have to find a vet around the Houston Area. Andy, are you the same guy who recommended Dr. Larry White? Hopefully, he'll know what can be done.

As for water, if that is the problem I'm surprised that water supply here (Sugar Land, TX)is that bad. I used to live in north Jersey and had my pets raised in tap water no problem. Never had to buy kits or tests. And wild-caught insects were a relish. Seems like a bad idea now. Thanks again for all your help. I'll let you guys know what the vets said.

Dr. White is a great vet! Best there is! I take my frogs to him and we actually had one of our pets (at the wildlife rehab center) taken to him today. He should be able to help you. Didn't realize you were here in Houston. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

surprised that water supply here (Sugar Land, TX)is that bad.

This statement tells me you don't have a good understanding of water chemistry. For a bullfrog, the water should be dechlorinated, filtered with a canister filter, and tested weekly for ammonia. The next three links should help out a lot.

http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-chem.html

Meant for turtle, but applicable...
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/filtration.htm

http://www.seachem.com/en_products/product_pages/001_ammonia_alrt.html
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*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

Hmm..rain water seemed to help, and so did bringing him out of the room and placing him outside. His eye is less cloudy and he's sitting up now.

The only reason I mentioned the water supply is because I raised a rana clamitans for 14 years back in Jersey on regular tap water and had no problems. Neither did the Philly water supply affect him much when I brought him to college with me at Upenn.

I apologize for my ignorance in water mastery and thanks for the links. Now I will go rack up on kits and tests since the water here is so toxic.

Yay, he's totally fine now....sitting up, appetite fine, cloudiness gone. I think moving him outside did it for him. But if he gets sick again, I'll know the vet to go to...

Good thing too, or else I'd have to give him up to someone who's so much more knowledgeable than the rest of us. =P

Thanks everyone.