[Ed]

There have been a couple of anecdotal cases in which the frog had an impacted bowel and the issues with the hind legs was reported along with a resolution when a bowel movement was completed. It was theorized that there was pressure placed on the nerves resulting in a temporary paralysis.

Ed

 

[earthfrog]

I think it is relevant also to note whether the frog has stiff limbs that cannot extend (possibly pointing to thermal damage) or simply has limbs that are completely limp or hanging loosely behind it, which may indicate more of a nervous system dysfunction or paralysis from dislocation or bowel impaction. This is just my best guess from dealing with a galac I acquired which was noticeably damaged from becoming overheated during transport.

 

[macasus]

i got an auratus with what looks like a broken back leg

 

[james67]

i have a mint terribilis that is showing these symptoms now.

some background info;

the frog is a sub adult, nearing 1 year and has previously acted in what i would consider to be a normal and healthy way.
it was housed with one sibling until a few weeks ago when i moved. at that time i acquired 5 more juveniles and gave the sibling to my former roommate.
after the move (where all frogs from my collection were caught, packaged and placed in a cooler, and delivered in the security of my automobile) the original frog (the one in question) was placed back into its original enclosure.
the 5 juveniles were also added to the enclosure.
at this time i fed heavily in order to ascertain whether aggression would be an issue (since the frog in question had been a violent feeder, attacking any prey items that it encountered) no aggression was noted.
all of my frogs are fed on a rotation of repcal and repashy calcium plus (herpetivite is also used on occasion)
temps have been stable and between 65 and 75 for the entire life of the animal.

now to the symptoms:
within 48 hours of placing the frog (and the 5 new juveniles) into the enclosure it took a sudden and massive turn for the worse. i checked on it frequently during the first 24 hours and during that time it remained active and seemingly healthy. i went to bed and upon making my rounds the next morning it seemed odd. there was what appeared to be some sort of discoloration , but assuming that it was just the light hitting the frog in a strange way i proceeded to gently nudge the animal into a different position. the spot disappeared but it was clear that the frog not only had impaired use of its hind limbs, it seemed to have lost the majority of its mass in the time since i had last checked it (before i went to bed, about 6 hours previous) having a family function that required my attention, i left and called a fellow frogger who advised/ agreed that i remove the animal immediately upon returning home. that evening i did just that.

i moved the frog into a QT container and although i have not seen it eat is did pass what i can only describe as the largest piece of fecal matter i have ever seen come from a dart frog.its shape has also reverted to what i would consider normal, or even slightly past that. its legs seem useless and it mostly lays sprawled out barely supporting its head.

surprisingly the fecal matter i described simply vanished. there are no springtails or other microfauna which could have broken it down and it was sitting on plastic.

im at loss here. its something that i havent seen before, and its quite concerning.
any info would be greatly appreciated. the juveniles remain unaffected BTW.

james

 

[james67]

i really could use some advice here. im seriously considering euthanasia but if there are other opinions on options i'd like to hear them. the condition has not worsened since the first post, but there is no sign of improvement either.

james

 

[srrrio]

Sorry I have not a suggestion at all..other then consulting with a vet. I am curious to know if you are dropping food strategically for him to eat? You have kept him alive for a good period of time it he is not using his legs.

Anyway, best of luck
Sally

 

[james67]

i think you'd be surprised how long a frog can go without eating. not that i would deprive a frog food, but since its not active and hunting the feeders would likely be a nuisance so i've held off.

i'd like to try some ARS but cant find any locally. if i dont have any new useful ideas by tomorrow, im going to humanely put it down with some benzocaine. i certainly dont want the animal to suffer.

james

 

[Dizzle21]

There have been a couple of anecdotal cases in which the frog had an impacted bowel and the issues with the hind legs was reported along with a resolution when a bowel movement was completed. It was theorized that there was pressure placed on the nerves resulting in a temporary paralysis.

Ed

Can an impacted bowel be for seen by chronic rectal prolapse?
Is there any lasting deficits from temporary paralysis?

 

[Ed]

Can an impacted bowel be for seen by chronic rectal prolapse?

No. There are multiple reasons for chronic rectal prolapse, two of the leading contenders are high parasite loads and secondly insufficient calcium.

Is there any lasting deficits from temporary paralysis?

it would depend on how long the paralysis remained and whether or not the impaction resulted in a perforation of the digestive tract, reduction in blood flow to or from the limbs or damaged the nerves. The longer the paralysis happens, the greater the probability there will be some long term issues....

Ed

 

[Atticus]

I would appreciate some answers too. I had a girl leuc that this happened to but it was her front left leg. After a few days of not eating and dragging herself if I tried to get her to move, I put her down. I couldn't bare watching her suffer.

If it helps I can answer Ed's questions to see if there is any relation:

1) how long has the person had the frog = 10 Months

2) what were the highest temperature during the day in that enclosure = 79F

3) was the frog handled or moved = Yes, it was separated with a male from another pair. From a 75G to a 10G just 2 weeks ago. But she had been moved in January from a 20G to the 75G and did just fine. Of course she wasn't separated from any other frogs. She was moved with the two males she had been with for approx 3 years. All of a sudden, I move her with only one male and she gets depressed. Burrows all day in the dirt where she can find it. She digger up the moss to get in the dirt and would sit in it. I finally moved her back to the 75G and she still would just hide and not come out to eat. That's when I noticed her leg stop functioning. Two days later I took her out and put her into quarantine where she would not eat and drag herself around on her side. It was very sad. I put her down after two days of quarantine and starting her on Baytril. Total days, probably a week and a half to two weeks of when I first moved her.

4) other animals in the enclosure - A male she has lived with for 3 years.

5) any odd behaviors - Depression

Same here. I have a healthy Tree frog that can't move her back legs and her back legs are really red - like blood is pooled. I've had her for 3 years. We just put her down a few hours ago.