Mysterious Azureus death.

[earthfrog]

Originally Posted by discipleak

Prior to your response I contacted Pisces about chytrid tests. The email offered packs of 50 test kits for sale. Is there an outlet for a smaller number of kits that anyone is aware of? Or is there a place that I could pick up the proper alcohol and test tubes, such as a vets office or a similar facility? This little frogs death has got me pretty stressed out and I cant wait for some answers. Unfortunately its Sunday and not much can be done until tomorrow. Thanks again to everyone for your responses.

John can tell you how to use Everclear---yes, the kind you get from the liquor store---to preserve the frogs. Also, you may be able to buy individual centrifuge-type test tubes from your local vet for a nominal cost---sorry I didn't mention this earlier. Be sure you check w/John as to which kind---I think they should not have a rubber stopper, but a silicone one...

How are your frogs doing currently?

[discipleak]

They seem to be just fine. I have not observed any aggression amongst each other. I observed them all feeding this morning and they all seem to be fat and happy. First thing tomorrow I am going to call around to vet offices and see if I can get ahold of the necessary supplies and hopefully someone local who can do a fecal test. Thanks again for the responses.

[earthfrog]

Originally Posted by discipleak

They seem to be just fine. I have not observed any aggression amongst each other. I observed them all feeding this morning and they all seem to be fat and happy. First thing tomorrow I am going to call around to vet offices and see if I can get ahold of the necessary supplies and hopefully someone local who can do a fecal test. Thanks again for the responses.

Sure thing---let us know how it turns out.

[discipleak]

Months later Ive gotten ahold of a test kit for chytrid. I havent had any more problems with the frogs, so Im inclined to not waste my money. Thought Id follow up and let the few of you who had been helpful and informative. Thanks again.

[Ed]

Knowing if you have chytrid in your collection is not a waste of money... if you have it and you could lose a lot of animals in a very rapid period of time... if the frogs are already infected death can occur within several days post demonstration of symptoms... all it takes is a couple of cool days.

Ed

[discipleak]

Im not too keen on swabbing one of my seemingly healthy frogs. Im kind of afraid to hurt them. Seems like a stressful process. Correct me if Im wrong.

[hexentanz]

Originally Posted by discipleak

Im not too keen on swabbing one of my seemingly healthy frogs. Im kind of afraid to hurt them. Seems like a stressful process. Correct me if Im wrong.

If you ever intend on selling any offspring, as the right thing to do you need to test for chytrid, especially when you have any unexplained deaths within your collection. Heck one should do this in general, selling or not.

I debated with this same issue months ago when I had a frog oddly die. I debated for a short bit and then sent it for a necropsy and it is a good thing I did because it turned out to be chytrid positive.

Months later the situation is now under control.

Swabbing is not harsh.

[Ed]

Originally Posted by discipleak

Im not too keen on swabbing one of my seemingly healthy frogs. Im kind of afraid to hurt them. Seems like a stressful process. Correct me if Im wrong.

Its no where near as stressful as having to catch the up and treat them daily if you start to lose them due to it..
A quick catch up, swab across the feet and drinking patch and back into the cage.
The frogs are not that fragile.

Ed

[discipleak]

Update: Just got word back from Pisces, the frogs do not have chytrid. They are doing well and look fat and healthy. Thanks everyone for the advice and support.

[hexentanz]

Originally Posted by discipleak

Update: Just got word back from Pisces, the frogs do not have chytrid. They are doing well and look fat and healthy. Thanks everyone for the advice and support.

Congratz on the good news!