dead frogs

[ponder]

Why have so many frogs died in my pond?
They seem to be bloated, with large white or transparent swellings on their sides.
Anything to do with the severe and prolonged cold spell in the winter?
Any ideas to prevent this again?

[Hedge Witch]

It is possible that have died from disease
As I understand it frogs in this country suffer from one of two illnesses.

1.Ranavirus is a non-native disease, first discovered in the UK by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in 1995, the origins of which are unknown. ZSL studies have shown the virus to be closely related to those found in North American amphibians. One possibility, yet to be fully investigated, is that the virus was introduced with imports of North American bullfrogs or freshwater fish. The disease is harmless to humans.
2.Amphibian chytrid is a non-native fungal disease that infects the skin of amphibians, a vital organ through which many drink and breathe. It was identified in 1998 by an international team of scientists led by ZSL. It is believed to have originated in Africa, with the export of African clawed frogs around the world for human pregnancy testing and lab studies spreading the disease worldwide.

On a small scale, the fungal infection can be treated. I don't know of a treatment for the virus.

I should add another quote, which is pertinent:

Members of the public who have come across unusual amphibian deaths in their gardens are urged to submit their information on the Froglife website: www.froglife.org. This information will then be used by ZSL in its research on diseases affecting UK amphibians.

[Malcolm Banks]

Sadly, there is no treatment for the virus and since there is a waterborne route of tranmssion, if ranavirus is the cause of the disease all the frogs (and toads) that access the pond may perish. On the optimistic side, the clinical signs (such as they are given) do not sound typical of ranavirus infection.
M

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Malcolm Banks

Sadly, there is no treatment for the virus and since there is a waterborne route of tranmssion, if ranavirus is the cause of the disease all the frogs (and toads) that access the pond may perish. On the optimistic side, the clinical signs (such as they are given) do not sound typical of ranavirus infection.
M

....Are you sure that toads also suffer from ranavirus?

A friend tells me that a few years ago frogs in his pond had 'red leg' but that the toads were fine.

[Littlesparrow]

Have your frogs died just recently Ponder? I would have thought most of the bad weather was over now, as far as freezing ponds were concerned.If the dead frogs have been there a while they could have fouled the water, which may need replacing with water from a water butt.

[nightshade]

It is possible that the marks are skin sloughing from over vigorous mating

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

Have your frogs died just recently Ponder? I would have thought most of the bad weather was over now, as far as freezing ponds were concerned.If the dead frogs have been there a while they could have fouled the water, which may need replacing with water from a water butt.

This thread was 2009 the OP has not been back since..

[Red Robin]

^^^^
Sorry, that's my fault - I was searching WAB for info on Ranavirus and posted in this old thread.

[Littlesparrow]

Oh I didn't spot that one.