Frog condition/ Diseased frog

[Zoologist10]

Hello all. I have two ponds in my garden, both are which very wildlife
friendly and home to lots of frogs and froglets.

Recently I came across a rather bizarre frog, which seems to have some
unusual condition. Its symptons are spinning round when it moves, both
on land and in water. By that I mean, when it goes to move, it doesn't
go in a straight line, but moves round in a circle, and obviously out of
balance.

When swimming, this also occurs- but it often ends up with its head bent
upwards.

When still, there is obviously something wrong with it by the look of
its
eyes- I can't explain what- but you can tell it's not right when you see
its eyes.

Also when still, it tends to end up with its head out of balance.

When on its underside, it struggles to get upright (I read somewhere
that this is a sign that th frog is not well). When it moves it does
often end up on its underside, and appears all over the place, spinning
round.

Currently I have it isolated away from the ponds in case it has an
infectious disease, which I doubt as it is not skin related like that of
red leg.

Does anybody here know what might be wrong with this poor frog?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Dogghound]

The problem sounds asif its affecting its brain and is internal. Has it any damage to its head? Possibly could be a brain tumour, are its eyes cloudy? the tumour may be putting pressure onto the optical nerve causing the strange eyes. Also a slight possibility of a parasite although never herd of it causing this sort of ation.

[naturelover]

thats strange never seen that befor,yes it dose sound like there is something wrong with its brain as dogghound said,in fact he has said it all cant add anymore.

[Cazzie]

Oh dear, poor froggie!

Got no idea tbh, but most likely a brain problem that has already been mentioned or maybe even an inner ear problem - balance/co-ordination out Think you've done the best thing in quaratining it for the time being

Sorry that's not much help but keep us posted on how it's doing - it's interesting if nothing else!

[Zoologist10]

Thank you for replying.

Today I tried feeding the frog a worm- it picked up the vibrations partially- tried to catch it- but failed! It doesn't seem to be able to locate items or prey exactly from the vibrations.

Its eyes are not cloudy- though something appears wrong with its eyes.

I have read a frog's ears are located behind the eyes- so an infection in its eyes, I suppose, could breakthrough to its ears- and potentially cause these problems.

I doubt it though- perhaps it is a brain tumour- though how on earth could a frog develop one of those?

Could a frog ever get cancer like we humans do?

[Dogghound]

Yes animals get cancer too, cranial damage can cause brain tumors. Possibly an ear problem.

[Lance Morgan]

When did you notice this frog. Could it be the result of some developmental problem with its nervous system or if noticed recently an injury to its nervous system?
Either way i doubt it will survive and if left will most likely starve or fall prey to something

[Zoologist10]

It was at least before last Friday- maybe a few days before- I have kept it in captivity for a while- and it is still alive- but it does appear that it will die soon- especially if its condition worsens.

There's no sign of wounds so I doubt it would ahve been a traumatic event that caused- that would likely be a close escape from a predator- therefore wounds would be left- that is not the case.

Perhaps- as your suggested- it has developed a problem with its nervous system- do you know what this could be? Are there any diseases relating to the nervous system that affect frogs?

[Lance Morgan]

Not sure but a very tiny percentage of those that make it to 'froghood' probably have some some teratogenic/developmental defect during a stage of their metomorphosis.

[Zoologist10]

I had a closer look at its eyes today- it appears that its pupils are dilated- compared with the ehalthy frogs- whose pupils seem more horizontal- this one has its pupils dilated so they appear more circular- its eyes also appear slightly larger- maybe due to the dilated pupils- does this help with identifying what's wrong with the frog?

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by Zoologist10

I had a closer look at its eyes today- it appears that its pupils are dilated- compared with the ehalthy frogs- whose pupils seem more horizontal- this one has its pupils dilated so they appear more circular- its eyes also appear slightly larger- maybe due to the dilated pupils- does this help with identifying what's wrong with the frog?

Dilation of the pupil is symptomatic of brain disease/damage