Frog health problem?

[MrToad]

hi, I have had a pond for 20 years that has mainly frogs and a few newts in it.
(No fish or chemicals have ever been put in the pond), only straw to help keep the pond clear of algae. Every year there is the usual spawning frenzy and this year it started about 10 days ago.

Yesterday I noticed two frogs sat beside the pond, rather immobile but showing no signs of injury. They did not move when I went near to them or touched them as they usually do.

On closer observation one of them did have signs of a bit of blood on it. I left them over night and today they are in the same positions but appear to have some sort of life left in them. Also this morning I found another one upside down on the lawn, obviously dead with again a bit of blood near it.

There are still plenty of frogs in the pond, but I wondered if there was a virus going round in the frog community and would I be better moving these ailing frog well away from the pond in case they fall back in and die and infect the other frogs etc.

I would be interested in your views on what I can do to rectify the matter. Thank you

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by MrToad

On closer observation one of them did have signs of a bit of blood on it.

Where was the blood? a cut/injury or was it coming out of is mouth, nose or rectum?

Did you think it was a disease or from an attack?

Originally Posted by MrToad

There are still plenty of frogs in the pond, but I wondered if there was a virus going round in the frog community and would I be better moving these ailing frog well away from the pond in case they fall back in and die and infect the other frogs etc.

I would probably remove dead frogs. Several things could be up with them it could be a bacterial infection (commonly called redleg) this is caused by such becteria like Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, E. coli, and Proteus. Most commonly Aeromonas hydrophyla in frogs. Additionally it could be fungal the chytrid fungus Batrrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been recorded in the UK and could be a problem. Just to confirm they are common frogs not common toads? Can you post some photo's of the frogs.

[Kayleigh]

As said above there are lots of things that kill frogs and toads have a look here for more info..

FAQs: dead frogs / toads

[dampflippers]

Yes, please post a photo if you can.
and yes, might be worth keeping them away from the pond.
If they die I may have a contact who might know what to do with the bodies- he is doing research into the chitrid fungus which Woodman mentioned.
If you send me a PM with your email address, I can pass on your details if he's interested.

What part of the country are you in?

Do they show any kind of dehydration or do they look leathery?

Do they have any reddish patches, probably on underside or legs?

Froglife have a frog mortality survey too:

There is a map of Rana virus (red leg disease) here: http://www.froglife.org/disease/maps.htm

http://www.froglife.org/disease/latest.htm
http://www.froglife.org/disease/report.htm
http://www.froglife.org/disease/

[dampflippers]

Mr Toad- I have sent you a PM (private message)

[dampflippers]

I've sent it again in case you didn't receive it.

[MrToad]

For those of you who requested pictures:
The pictures of the deceased frogs of an as yet unknown virus
Click on the library images button.
Hope this works

[dampflippers]

Here they are:

[dampflippers]

Have you taken any swabs Mr Toad?

[nightshade]

There appear to be limbs missing, so it is more likely to be an attack, the blood is dark red as from deep trauma. Cat?