The red eyed tree frog has many health issues that need special attention. This species is generally rather hardy, but when they do get sick it can quickly become very serious. It is good to be aware of red eyed tree frog health issues so that you can know what to look for and how to treat the most common illnesses.
Oodinium
One of the most common red eyed tree frog health issues is oodinium. It appears as small white or gray spots all over the frog’s skin. This is prevalent among red eyed tree frogs in captivity and is caused primarily by unclean habitats. If detected early, oodinium can be treated by placing the frog in clean distilled water and thoroughly cleaning the tank.
Red Leg Disease
Red leg disease seems to affect red eyed tree frogs in captivity. It is thought to be caused by the parasite, aeromonas hydrophyla, which may lie dormant in the frog. It is recognized by reddening of the skin on the frog’s thighs and belly. The physical signs of the disease are lethargy and weight loss. The red eyed tree frog may also develop bleeding from the mouth and anus and its limbs will become weak.
Stress of any sort can reduce the red eyed tree frog’s immune system, making them susceptible to Red-leg. Stress can be in the form of improper humidity or temperature levels in the habitat, unclean environment and too much handling.
Red-leg is one of the easily prevented red eyed tree frog health issues. It requires that the humidity and temperature levels are stable and that the frog is not handled frequently, not subjected to undo stress and its habitat and water supply are very clean.
Metabolic Bone Disease
Metabolic bone disease in the red eyed tree frog is caused by a lack of proper nutrition, specifically vitamin D and calcium. The symptoms include lethargy and loss of appetite. Your frog will also stop jumping, as this disease weakens the bones of the red eyed tree frog.
Metabolic bone disease is one of the red eyed tree frog health issues that is curable, especially if found early. It can be corrected by feeding your frog vitamin and calcium supplements. This can be done by feeding supplement pellets to the crickets you feed the frog, or by dusting the crickets with a calcium powder.
The best way to prevent further illness in your frog is to pay attention to its diet, environment and behavior. Learn all that you can about red eyed tree frog health issues and the proper care for the frog. Taking preventative steps in the frog’s health will lead to a happy frog.
