Frogs' Vitamins and Nutrients

All frogs need a generous supply of vitamins and minerals on each serving of food. Crickets, mealworms and any other insects just don't have enough vitamins in them. There are several ways to supplement your frog's meal with plenty of vitamins.

One of the most important vitamins you could ever give a frog is Calcium. Calcium prevents many diseases, one of the most common is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). MBD is a very commonly fatal ilness found in frogs that lack proper nutrition that causes frogs' bones to become very weak. Weak bones can lead to broken bones, and broken bones can lead to crippling, even death.

However, it's important to understand that a lack of calcium is not the only reason for MBD in frogs. MBD can also be caused by a disorder of calcium metabolism. Some frogs cannot properly digest calcium, resulting in a disorder of the calcium. Still, all frogs are unable to digest calcium without a proper dosing of vitamin D3.

Frogs don't absorb vitamin D3 that well, either. MBD can also be caused by a lack of vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 and calcium are needed together in order to be properly digested in your frog.

I know this article is supposed to be about vitamins and nutrients, but while we're on the subject of MBD, here's a list of symptoms in young frogs:

• Swollen, flimsy or extremely small legs.
• Lethargy, lack of movement, difficulty hunting, jumping, etc.
• Constipation
• Bumps or ridges along the vertebral column or arched spine
• Weakness
• Recession of the lower jaw

In MBD's early stages, it can be very hard to recognize. But as the disease develops, the frog may struggle to eat and drink. MBD affects the skull, which results in recession of the lower jaw, inability of the mouth, or the tongue hanging out and appearing longer. Once the disease is much more fully developed than the list of symptoms above, here is another list of symptoms:

• Twitching of the legs, fingers and toes while active or even while at rest.
• Skinniness
• Paralysis
• Twitching or shakiness at being held
• Extreme malnutrition
• Bone fractures

Metabolic Bone Disease is easy to prevent. Always, always, always use a vitamin supplement on any of your frog's meals. Make sure it includes calcium and vitamin D3. These are two of the most vital vitamins a frog can have. I can't put enough emphasis on this! Other vitamins that your frog should have a small portion of include:

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B6
• Folic Acid
• Beta Carotene (vitamin A)
• Niacin
• Biotin
• Ascorbic Acid
• d-Pantothenic Acid
• Thiamine
• Riboflavin

This probably seems like an overwhelming list. Yet it's really simple. There are several ways to achieve all these vitamins and nutrients in one simple meal. I have found that by using the product: Zilla (brand) Food Spray Vitamin Supplement with Beta Carotene my frog is easily able to get a full dose of vitamins every day! You can find it at http://www.petco.com/ or probably at any store that sells crickets and amphibians.
This spray is easier than most powder supplements, because with a powder supplement you have to shake it onto the insects and then hope it doesn't shake back off again. With the vitamin spray, it only has to dry 15 seconds and is ready to give to your frog.
Preventing MBD:Use a vitamin supplement on every one of your frog's meals. Many resources suggest using supplements on every 3-4 meals, but that's not giving your frog enough nutrition.

Taking your Frog to the Vet

When your frog is clearly sick with an illness, most diseases are incurable from home. You can treat some diseases with special chemicals, but they're not all that cheap and take professional care. The best answer is always to take your frog to the veterinarian.

If you know your frog is truly sick (believe me, it's pricy to take your frog to the vet), you will want to give your vet a call. See if the technician over the phone recognizes any of your frog's symptoms after listing them all. Follow their advice, and set up an appointment as soon as possible. If you cannot get your frog to the animal hospital that very day, make your frog as comfortable as possible. My frog is a tree frog, so I doubled the heat and lighting, kept him moist, and checked on him every few hours.

To take your frog to the veterinarian, you will need to be able to transport them in a way that's most comfortable for your frog. Unless you have a small animal keeper, you will need to use a plastic cup with Seran wrap over the top. Secure the wrap with a rubber band and punch plenty of holes in the top of the cup using a toothpick or pencil. Always keep a moistened (not soaking wet) paper towl in the bottom of the cup for a refreshing retreat for your frog.

When choosing the best veterinarian for your frog, you will need to go in the phonebook or online and find out which animal hospital is nearest to you, and which animals they serve. If they don't serve small animals, don't call, because they probably won't be able to help you with your frog.

When handling sick frogs, make sure you read my Handling Frogs article.

Also see my Frog Health and Diseases article. This will give very basic information on frogs' diseases.

Another thing to do to get top-quality amphibian veterinary services is to call the pet store you bought your frog from. Just ask them what they think and if they have any recommendations for a local vet, because pet stores have to take their animals to the vet once in a while, too. I did this and found the most wonderful animal hospital.

Remember, your veterinarian only has so many supplies and resources. Your frog may be incorrectly diagnosed, or may not get diagnosed at all. Do what you can for your frog that will make him more comfortable, including administering faithfully any medications or treatments the vet prescribes. Don't lose heart if your frog does not make it through his illness. My first frog did not, even though I took him to a vet and did all I could for him (read my In Memory of Jungle article).

Frog Health and Diseases

Frogs are hardy amphibians, and usually only succumb to sickness when not taken care of properly. Most frog diseases are caused and prevented by their environments. Once frogs are sick, they are usually very hard to cure and there is no home cure I've heard of. Most times you have to take your frog to the vet for a complete cure. Although many diseases can be prevented, sometimes your frog will be sick from the time you buy him.

Before purchasing your frog, as I've said many times before, research the one you are going to buy. Also, research frogs' diseases so you will be able to spot any sick frogs in the store before buying one. Common symptoms of illnesses include: abnormal bone structure or body shape, abrasions to the skin or feet, skinniness and cloudy or hazy eyes.

Frogs can get stressed very easily. You want to avoid stressing your frog as much as possible. Transportation, handling and things bigger than they are will easily stress your frog.

Handling:
When handling, wear rubber gloves and wash your hands before and after to keep dirt and germs off your frog's skin. Some frogs release a fluid stored in their body onto your hands if they stress while you are holding them. This fluid can be toxic to human skin, and it needs to be replaced immediately. Frogs do not drink water; instead, they absorb it through their skin. So frogs need to have access to fresh, clean water after any sort of handling.

Transporting:
Frogs get panicky and stressed when they are moving. They have been known to smash into walls and other enclosures when panicked. Avoid handling when transporting your frog. After bringing your frog home from the pet store, allow him time to get used to his new climate and surroundings. He will be stressed during this time and there is nothing you can do about it except make him as comfortable as you can. He will adjust after 24--48 hours.

Water:
Water is a vital part of your frog's health. All frogs spend a lot of time around and/or in water, and your frog must have clean water or it can lead to serious problems.

DO NOT use tap water, carbonated, distilled, mineral, seltzer or sparkling water. These types of water can be fatal to your frog. If you have no choice but to use tap water, make sure that it is dechlorinated. You can purchase water conditioner at a pet store that sells fish. Also, water must be room temperatue. Do not refrigerate. Water temperatures different than what the frog is used to can cause shock to your frog.

Some sources suggest cleaning out your frog's water daily, however, I do not recommend this. As you will have to handle your frog in order to refresh the water, you will be handling him daily. Don't clean the water if it's not dirty. Cleaning it every 3-4 days will work fine.

Feeding:
Feeding is vital to your frog's health. What he eats and how much he eats are the most important subjects of feeding. For more information about feeding frogs, see my Feeding your Frogs article.

Overcrowding:
Overcrowding can cause some problems if you have too many frogs in one space. I recommend only one to two frogs per terrarium. Frogs can fight and injure themselves by smashing into each other and the walls, if they have no place to go. Also, different breeds of frogs can have toxins harmful to other frogs in their skin.

FROG DISEASES:

Dropsy:
Dropsy is usually caused by bacteria. Symptoms include bloating and lethargy. You need to see a professional veterinarian in the case of dropsy.

Red leg:
Red leg can easily be confused with the coloring of some species of frogs. Don't treat it if you're not sure. Red leg is the reddening of the belly and thighs. Red leg is a lethal disease and infamous in all species of frogs. Red leg should be seen by a vet.

Fungal Infections:
This disease is usually spotted by red inflamation on white tissue or definite changes of skin color. The most common treatment is immersing your frog in 2% solution of malachite green.

These diseases mentioned are only a few common ones of the variety of sicknesses found in frogs. If your frog is sick, you want to remove it from any other frogs you may have so the disease does not spread. Do not treat anything until you are completely sure what it is. The best prevention of all illnesses is a clean environment, nutritional foods, ventilation and happiness.