Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought 4 auratus at the Sept 5 raleigh herp show. 3 of the frogs are real fat and healthy, but one frog is pretty skinny and i noticed when i first got him home that he had jumped against side of his enclosure and seemed to go into a seizure. first thing i immediately thought of was calcium deficiency. so i fed them all fruitflies once a day coated with both herptivite and calcium supplement for a week straigh and now have cut it back to herptivite every feeding calcium every other. well i haven't seen another seizure but now he doesn't seem to have very good aim when feeding. when i put fruit flies in he is generally the first one to go on the hunt, but i'd guess that 80-90% of the attacks he makes with his tongue he missed the fly. i always make sure now to keep putting flies in front of him till i see him get at least 5 or 6 and then i figure he will finally get enough from all the flies going around the tank. my question is can i do anything else for him? and does this sound like some sort of neurological problem from a previous vitamin/calcium deficiency and if so is it permanent of will it eventually go away with continued good nutritional supplements?

Do his eyes seem clear? One suggestion would be to isolate him in a separate 1 gallon or 2 gallon critter keeper with damp paper towels on the bottom. Cover the vents with plastic wrap to keep in the humidity and give him a small deli-cup on it's side with a bit of water in it and a plant leaf or two in this that he can hide under. Do your regular spraying with spring water and keep food around him all the time. Then just watch him.

Vitamin dusting for darts has not yet been totally perfected. Some reptile dusts contain too much vitamin A for amphibians and aren't really balanced for amphibian needs. You might try some T Rex tree frog dust, which is what I use now. There are apparently better ones specifically for darts, coming out soon.

You could consult a herp vet if there is one in your vicinity. You can look this up on ARAV.com.

The problem could be so many things, from impaired eyesight to a neurological problem or past injury. It doesn't sound like any sort of infectious process.

I'm never sure whether isolating an apparently "under-achieving" frog is more stressful to it than just letting him adapt. Some frogs, especially among the auratus, are simply more shy and clumsy than others and are easily intimidated. I've had some skinny underachievers come out fine in the end, simply by leaving them alone. I tend not to isolate, myself, unless it is something that may obviously infect the other frogs. There are many people who isolate at the first sign of any problem. My way has worked out---so far.

Your frog is eating, and out there doing it and at least catching a few. That's a plus.

I realize these are just options, not solutions, and definitely not a diagnosis. Keep us informed.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

some young frogs just suck at catching flies, its like their tongues arent sticky. just keep an eye on him and make sure that he is eating. It may seem like odd advice but dont give him coated flies, they are harder to get down if he has a saliva problem because he keeps getting a mouth full of powder instead of a fly. give him his own little stash of plain flies to make sure he at least has something in his system then after he has boosted his confidence give him more powdered ones. there is no point in giving vitamins if he cannot eat, fatten him up with normal flies first.

thanks both of you for the advice... i'll try suggestions from both of you. i'm new to PDFs, but i learn quick.