Frogs

Red leg (red-leg syndrome)

SignsRed, congested hind legs or belly, skin ulceration, loss of appetite, immobility

PreventionChange water and substrate daily, use dechlorinated water, avoid overcrowding

Chytridiomycosis (chytrid fungus)

SignsDull skin, excessive shedding, extended hind legs, sluggishness, sudden death

PreventionQuarantine new arrivals, never discharge tank water or equipment outdoors, see a vet early for any abnormality

Metabolic bone disease (rickets)

SignsDeformed lower jaw, trembling hind legs, fractures, inability to jump, bent body

PreventionDust food with calcium and vitamin D3; use weak UVB suited to the species

Ascites / bloating (edema)

SignsBody swells like a water balloon, skin stretched and translucent, immobility

PreventionAvoid poor water quality and chlorine, never use cold water, see a vet if kidney failure is suspected

Intestinal blockage (substrate ingestion)

SignsNot eating, no feces, swollen abdomen, regurgitation

PreventionFeed with tongs, not on the substrate; do not use fine sand or gravel

Corneal opacity / cloudy eyes

SignsEyes turn white and cloudy, eyes kept closed, no strike response to food

PreventionPrevent vitamin A deficiency and poor water quality; reduce collisions with cage corners and hard objects

Snout abrasion

PreventionUse a layout that discourages pressing against cage walls, avoid startling, keep the environment dim and calm

First aidRinse with clean water and switch to paper substrate for hygiene. Infection is likely; see a vet if it festers

Toe or limb fracture

PreventionPrevent calcium deficiency, never drop from height, do not pinch in lids or doors

First aidDo not splint; rest in a small clean container. See a vet the same day

Bites from feeder insects

PreventionDo not leave crickets loose, remove uneaten food, do not offer oversized prey

First aidRemove all live food and rinse with clean water. See a vet if the wounds are deep

Cannibalism / cage-mate injury

PreventionAlways house horned frogs singly; avoid housing poison dart frogs of different sizes together

First aidSeparate immediately; if bleeding, keep moist with clean water and see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched skin, feces or tank water

PreventionWash hands with soap after contact, do not wash the tank in the kitchen, keep infants and toddlers from touching

Skin-toxin poisoning

RouteSkin secretions contacting the eyes, mouth or open wounds

PreventionDo not handle bare-handed, do not rub eyes or mouth after contact, stay cautious even with captive-bred frogs

Aeromonas infection

RouteDirty tank water contacting a wound

PreventionWear gloves for water changes, see a doctor if a wound turns red and swollen, never discharge water outdoors

Parasites (nematodes, etc.)

RouteOral infection from hands that touched feces

PreventionHandle feces with gloves, do not share equipment, get a fecal exam after purchase

Food

• Live food such as crickets and dubia roaches, dusted with calcium
• Adult horned frogs 1–2 times a week; juveniles every 2–3 days
• Horned frogs accept prepared diets; poison dart frogs take fruit flies

Water

• Dechlorinated water, changed daily
• They absorb water through the skin, so keep a shallow water dish at all times

Toys & play

• No enrichment needed; tong-feeding that makes them strike is their exercise
• Poison dart frogs: build vertical space with plants and driftwood
• Tree frogs: provide branches and leaves to climb

Nest, bed & hideout

• A hide or plant cover that conceals the whole body
• Horned frogs: a wool mat or substrate deep enough to burrow into

Bedding & litter

• Horned frogs: wool mat or coarse coconut husk, washed daily
• Poison dart frogs: coconut husk or leaf mold to hold high humidity
• No fine sand or gravel; it gets swallowed

Cage / housing material

Plastic or glass enclosure that balances ventilation and moisture retention

Size & space

About 30 cm for horned frogs; 45 cm or more for poison dart frogs

Layout

• Shallow water area, land area and a hide
• Poison dart frogs: misting and a drainage layer for high humidity
• Vents at the top; do not seal too tightly

Placement notes

• Never in direct sunlight or in the direct draft of a heater
• Keep in a quiet spot away from vibration and strong light

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks; do not take them out of the enclosure
• Handle only for cleaning or vet visits, always with gloves or wet hands
• Handling causes stress and skin damage

Temperature & humidity

Temperature25–28°C, around 22°C at night; varies by species

Humidity70–90%; keep horned frog substrate constantly moist

Summer & winter

• Summer: above 30°C is fatal; manage with cooling fans or air conditioning
• Winter: warm the floor with a heat mat and watch for drying

Nail trimming

No nail trimming needed. See a vet for injured or deformed toe tips

Brushing, skin & coat care

Do not touch the skin; keep clean through water changes and substrate replacement. Eating the shed skin is normal

Other care

Remove food residue around the mouth with tongs; rinse dirty eyes with clean water

Protection from predators

• Cats and dogs: knock over the enclosure, open lids, bite
• Ants and cockroaches: drawn to leftover food, gnaw the skin
• Crows and snakes: never put frogs outdoors or on a balcony

Foreign-body ingestion

Horned frogs swallow anything in front of them. Watch substrate, pebbles, too many crickets and fingers; feed with tongs

Being stepped on

Frogs set on the floor during cleaning or feeding get stepped on. Always put them in a container when taken out of the enclosure

Getting pinched

Limbs or toes caught in lids or sliding doors fracture. Check where the frog is before closing

Falls

Grabbing makes them jump and fall. Cup with both hands and handle close to the floor. After a fall, check movement and hind legs; see a vet if abnormal

Escape

Tree frogs escape through gaps and die of dehydration. Always secure the lid. If one escapes, search damp areas and around sinks and baths; pick it up with wet hands

Safe release procedure

1. Horned frogs bite mistaking you for food. Stay still and wait
2. Dipping its mouth in water often makes it let go
3. Gently slide a thin card into the corner of the mouth
4. Once released, return the frog to its container right away

After the release

Wash under running water and disinfect. Large species draw blood but the wound is shallow; see a doctor if it swells or festers

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species and weight, temperature and humidity, how the water is treated, food and feeding frequency, photos of feces and skin; confirm in advance that the clinic treats amphibians

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Response to stimulus: does it withdraw a toe when touched
• Breathing: watch the throat; normal is a few movements per minute
• Heartbeat: chest movement is hard to see; have the vet check

Stopping bleeding

• Press lightly with clean, moistened gauze
• The skin is thin and tears easily; do not press hard
• No disinfectant or ointment; rinse with clean water and see a vet

Transport

• A sealable container lined with moistened paper towel
• Ice packs in summer, hand warmers in winter, on the outside only; never in direct contact