Terribilis foot rot?

sharpn2 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 07:30 PM

I discovered a sore on my mint terribilis' foot this morning. I have four others in the viv, and none of them have it. I don't have any vets in the area I'd trust (though from past experience, I now know of several I SHOULDN'T go to), so any advice? I've never had this problem before.

ilovejaden · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 08:13 PM

Pics are worth a lot. post some please.

billschwinn · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 08:13 PM

I think the first thing should be find a vet and try and have a culture done to see what kind of bacteria you are dealing with and have them prescribe an antibiotic that can treat the problem.You probably should count on the cage mates having the same problem.

sharpn2 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billschwinn

I think the first thing should be find a vet and try and have a culture done to see what kind of bacteria you are dealing with and have them prescribe an antibiotic that can treat the problem.You probably should count on the cage mates having the same problem.

I would obviously prefer to work with a vet, but as I said, there aren't any in the area I could trust not to kill the frog, let alone provide real treatment. I've already moved the others out of the viv and into isolation, but that still leaves me with a sick frog I don't know how to treat.

Ed · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 11:33 PM

Bill is correct. In this case you really can't get away from needing a vet. If the lesion is being caused by a mycobacterial infection, you will need to euthanize, depopulate and toss the cage and everything in it. Not only is it not curable, it can be highly contagious to other herps (and is also a potential human pathogen).

The attached picture is an example of a lesion caused by a mycobacterial infection in terriblis. Overly wet and poor draining substrates seems to result in lesions in terriblis.

Some comments,

Ed

sharpn2 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 11:47 PM

I really wasn't trying to get out of going to a vet. I just couldn't find one and so was looking for advice in case I never did. That's no longer an issue, though, as I've finally tracked one down. Nowhere near me, of course, but isn't that the way it always goes?

billschwinn · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 11:53 PM

Good luck at the vet. Let us know how it turns out.

Ed · #8 (**permalink**) 02-08-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharpn2

I really wasn't trying to get out of going to a vet. I just couldn't find one and so was looking for advice in case I never did. That's no longer an issue, though, as I've finally tracked one down. Nowhere near me, of course, but isn't that the way it always goes?

I didn't think you were trying to get out of going to a vet. It is just that in this case you need the vet to determine if the lesion is from a mycobacterium infection.

If it comes back negative, then you should try to increase the drainage in the tank.

Ed

sharpn2 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 07:31 PM

Well, it's not mycobacteria, at least. The vet prescribed the silversulfadiazene ointment--which I'd already ordered from Dr. Frye before the cultures came back--and while I suspect it's likely too late for the frog, it could have been a lot worse.

...though I'm starting to remember why I'd gotten out of terribilis in the first place. I'd forgotten how easily they fall ill. If they weren't such awesome frogs...

Azriel · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 07:39 PM

I'm sorry your frog is sick.

Glad it's not mycobacteria though.

Do you really think terribilis are more prone to illness than other types of dart frogs?