How to Treat a Bacterial Infection in a Red Eye Tree Frog

Bacterial infections in the red-eyed tree frog are easy to treat.

Red-eyed tree frogs are brightly colored, medium-sized frogs commonly kept as pets. One problem red-eyed tree frog keepers may experience in their pet is a bacterial infection. This can range from mild to serious and fatal.

Things You'll Need

• Bottled water
• Polysporin drops
• Bleach
• Small aquarium with lid
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. Observe the symptoms the frog is presenting. The symptoms will help determine what type of bacterial infection the frog has. For example, if the frog is bloated, it may have bacterial edema. Cloudy eyes may be a sign of a scratch that has become infected with bacteria. Frogs also have sensitive skin. Cuts can become infected quickly.

2. Soak the frog in spring water for a couple hours if the frog's belly is swollen. This may help the swelling if it is related to bacteria.

3. Place Polysporin drops on injuries about two or three times per day if the frog has a cut or scratch that has become infected. While Polysporin is available in both ointment and drop form, it is difficult for ointment to stay in one place on a frog and it may be too strong for the frog. Drops are better, and can be used on the eyes as well.

4. Remove the frog from its regular enclosure and place it in the small aquarium on a substrate of moist paper towels.

5. Disinfect the frog's habitat with bleach. Rinse with water until no bleach smell remains.

6. Discard any cage decorations in the frog's habitat that cannot be disinfected or rinsed. These may need to be replaced.

7. Take the frog to the veterinarian if the symptoms do not go away. Bloating can also be a sign of an overdose of vitamins. There may be other underlying causes that present as symptoms of a bacterial infection.

8. Prevent future bacterial infection by cleaning the frog's habitat frequently using clean water to mist the frog as well. Use decorations that do not have sharp edges upon which the frog can injure itself.

References

• Red Eyed Treefrog: How to Recognize Illness
• All About Frogs: The Frog Doctor
• Exotic Pet Vet: Strange Medicine

Resources

• Amphibian Care: Red-eyed Treefrog