Diseases and Disorders to Amphibians

Improper sanitation, inadequate environmental parameters (such as temperature and humidity), and/or poor nutrition cause the vast majority of diseases and disorders seen in amphibians. If your pet is exhibiting clinical signs or any type of strange behavior, take it to your veterinarian immediately for a checkup. If your veterinarian does not work on amphibians, ask for a referral to one in your area who does so. By identifying and treating diseases in their early stages, successful treatment and cure is much more obtainable. Below are some of the more common diseases and disorders seen in amphibians. Others do exist, which is why a veterinary diagnosis is essential (Table).

Table Diseases and Disorders of Amphibians

Disease or disorder	Clinical signs	Treatment and comments
Red leg disease	Reddened skin on underside of pet; ulcers on toes; bloating; cloudy eyes	Treat with antibiotics; salt baths; sanitize amphibian’s environment
Edema syndrome	Generalized swelling or bloating of the body; breathing difficulties; weakness	Can occur because of liver disease, skin disease, toxins; also seen in amphibians living in and around distilled water; treat by veterinary removal of fluid with needle and syringe; salt baths; treat underlying cause
Water mold disease	White to brown cotton like lesions on skin; weight loss; lethargy; breathing difficulties	Seen in amphibians housed in water kept below 70°F; diagnose with skin scraping; elevate water temperatures to above 70°F; salt baths
Dehydration	Weight loss; emaciation; lethargy; dull, dark skin; sunken eyes; in coordination	Seen in terrestrial amphibians kept in high temperatures; also in amphibians with skin disease; treat with water and electrolyte baths
Parasitic disease	Skin ulceration and lesions; diarrhea; weight loss; breathing difficulties	Due to poor husbandry and stress; treat with antiparasitic drugs and antibiotics; clean and sanitize enclosure; improve nutrition
Hypothermia	Listlessness; loss of appetite	Maintain proper environmental temperatures
Poisoning	Skin lesions; seizures; skin color change; bloating; breathing difficulties	Sources can include disinfectant residues, vegetation or food contaminated with insecticides; contaminated water; remove inciting cause; support through good nutrition an husbandary
Bacterial skin infection	Nodules on skin; weight loss; skin ulcers	Treat with appropriate antibiotics; improve sanitation
Metabolic bone disease	Deformities of jaws and/ or limbs; limb fractures	Due to imbalance of calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals in diet; treat or prevent by feeding or dusting food source with supplement prior to feeding to amphibian