[Digifrog]

Nematode Infection (capillarid dermatitis)


Symptoms: Gray, rough, flaky skin, usually starting on the thighs. Excessive sloughing of skin. Rapid weight loss. If you did a skin scraping or necropsy, you would see nematode presence. The culprits are 2-4 mm, most commonly of the genus Rhabdias. This can be a life threatening disease and is highly contagious among stressed animals. It is very treatable if caught early on.

Treatment: Most effective if administered right away. We use Thiabendazole at 0.1g/L frog water. Treat the frog overnight. Change the water first thing the following day. Repeat. Keep the frog separate from the colony for several weeks to make sure she has fully recovered. The treatment is irritating to their skin so be sure to have a very tight lid on the container. You can also use Ivermectin, from PRO-VET (800) 435-6902. The dose is 0.2 micrograms per gram body weight (about 8 micrograms per male and 18 micrograms per female).



Red Leg


Symptoms: "Red Leg" is the common name for a bacterial septicemia that causes high morbidity and mortality in frogs. Commonly implicated pathogens include: Aeromonas hydrophila, Proteus hydrophilus, and Pseudomonas hydrophilus. The causative agents are normal water flora that are opportunistic when animals have been stressed. By the time clinical symptoms occur, the condition is most often terminal. Mortality can be particularly high in newly acquired frogs. Sudden death, 2-4 days following infection onset, is quite common. In less acute cases, frogs are lethargic and refuse to eat. Cutaneous hemorrhages, especially on the skin of the legs and feet, subcutaneous edema, and trembling, initially in the limbs is common. Ulcerations may also be present. Infected Xenopus commonly show skin discolorations and heavy mucous secretion. Neurological disorder, ocular lesions and general edema may be present.

Treatment: It is only treatable if you catch this early on, otherwise you will lose the whole tank of frogs. Increase the salt concentration to 100 mM and add 100 micrograms per ml oxytetracycline to the water for a week. Try injected antibiotics (Tetracycline oral: 1mg/5g body weight for 5 days). Change the water every day. Isolate infected animals and all animals it had contact with. Keep a very careful eye on the rest of your colony.



Fungal Infections


Symptoms: Frogs can become prey to several types of Fungus, especially in unclean tanks and when subjected to stress. The fungus may appear as: white cotton, wool like, thin stringy material emanating from a wound or reddened area of skin. Chromomycosis is caused by various pigmented fungi, while phycomycosis results from infection with Mucor or other nonpigmented fungi. Saprolegnia and other aquatic fungal infections may develop on wounds or on bacterial ulcers. Granulomas or abscesses may be found in any organ. Skin ulcers and nodules are also common.

Treatment: Fungus can be treated as long as there is not too much of it. Superficial lesions can be treated with topical antiseptics or fungicides. I suggest you try Anti-Fungal Tropical fish treatment or a product called Mar-Oxy which is sold in pet stores with fish supplies. Systemic infections may require sulfadiazine or imidazoles, but the underlying cause of the disease must be considered. Infection tends to recur once therapy is completed.