Making a "Amphibian First Aid Kit"...

[nwmnnaturalist]

I decided to try and make a first aid kit for my amphibians, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on products I should keep in there. I'm looking for more general-support medications and products, and perhaps some others that are more specific to more common conditions (such as Bloat, fungal or bacterial infections, injuries, digestive impaction). I picked up a vial of Clove Oil to keep on hand just in case it's needed some day, and I'll be writing up instructions to keep in the kit in case I need them or someone else needs to do first aid in my place. My father is a physician's assistant and has experience in veterinary medicine, so he'll likely be the emergency stand-in.

 

[smily sam]

Indian almond leaves would be good to have around.
Sam

 

[eminem]

what a great idea! i dont have any suggestions though ahaha

 

[fire_newt]

I love the first-aid kit idea! Out of curiosity what are almond leaves and clove oil used for?

 

[nwmnnaturalist]

Indian Almond Leaves have been shown to act as a therapeutic medication soak for a variety of ailments. As for the clove oil, it's to be used as a heavy anesthetic to allow for a more humane death by pithing.

 

[Jennewt]

Suggestions:

• A broad spectrum fish antibiotic. I know over-the-counter antibiotics are somewhat controversial, but I did have a case where I was able to save a batch of larvae by acting quickly with a kanamycin + nitrofurazone product. I now keep some on hand, just in case.
• Aquarium salt.
• Amphibian Ringers solution (dry powder can be purchased from scientific supply companies)
• Neosporin, without pain killer.

Additional possibilities:

• Calcium gluconate (see Emergency Supportive Care - Dendroboard)
• Silver sulfadiazine ointment (available from vets)

One problem with keeping a first aid kit is that some products are likely to reach their expiration date (repeatedly) before you ever need them.

 

[nwmnnaturalist]

I'd rather see them expire without having to use them and keep replacing them than not have them on hand. A few years ago I had to watch some goldfish die of Ich because I was snowed in and didn't have meds for it, so I'm not taking more chances. Big or small, I try to take my responsibility as an owner/caregiver seriously.

 

[Kaysie]

I don't think Jenn was trying to discourage you, just point out that for those that only have one or two animals, it might not be an economical option.

 

[AngieD]

I'll second that Cassie - my betta splendens passed away because the fungus went straight to the gills in about 2 hours

 

[Niels D]

I've allways got some Baytril in the fridge for bactetrial infections such as red leg. You can get this from a vet. It has an expiry date, but according to the vet it never really looses it's effect. Saved a Pac man frog and a spadefoot this way. Don't know if you can get Baytril overseas though..

 

[Kaysie]

Baytril is available in the US under prescription only (both for people and pets).

 

[nwmnnaturalist]

I was actually thinking about getting some Baytril to keep around for all of our pets, including our dogs and cats. My vet can get me some for under $10, so that'll be fine.

On a humorous note, my A. tigrinum Skaddi tried to swallow my finger this morning. Normally she lets go after a tickle, but this time she took a good 2 minutes to let go! I think she's getting more aggressive and hungry with spring coming.

 

[Ed]

I've allways got some Baytril in the fridge for bactetrial infections such as red leg. You can get this from a vet. It has an expiry date, but according to the vet it never really looses it's effect. Saved a Pac man frog and a spadefoot this way. Don't know if you can get Baytril overseas though..

People should keep in mind that red leg is really a symptom and not a disease since there are multiple causes for the red ventral coloration, some of which have nothing to do with a bacterial infection. In addition, you can have a septicemia of the bacteria that are commonly associated with "red leg symptoms" but not have them get red legs.. If you look at the A. zeteki in this thread Emergency Supportive Care - Dendroboard they were positive for A. hydrophilia septicemia but never developed the red ventral surfaces.

Ed

 

[Niels D]

I got him, because he had red leg. Because the treatment worked I got a free Pac. The spadefoot got symptons after his winter rest. This was allready a weak animal compared to his mates.

 

[Ed]

I was actually thinking about getting some Baytril to keep around for all of our pets, including our dogs and cats. My vet can get me some for under $10, so that'll be fine.
.

If you do have baytril at home, care should be given in it's use as it has been known to cause irrevesiable blindness in cats (and require lower doses as the cats age to avoid it) and in animals at risk of dehydration, fluid therapy in conjuction with the baytril is suggested to ensure it is eliminated at the proper rate by the kidneys.

Ed

 

[Ed]

I got him, because he had red leg. Because the treatment worked I got a free Pac. The spadefoot got symptons after his winter rest. This was allready a weak animal compared to his mates.

And the red leg was diagnosed how? How did you differentiate between irritation, bacterial infection, viral infection or even stress? All of those have been documented to cause ventral redness and blushing. This is why it is a symptom and not a disease.. there are multiple things that cause red legs (and even capillary bleeding) of the ventral surface of amphibians.

Ed

 

[Niels D]

Two friends of mine are vets, so I let them do the thinking. I just treat the animals according to what they've advised me. I've used a smaller dose than told though and it still was succesfull. I've been told that baytril can damage the reproduction organs. They've worked with a specialised vet in "Waalwijk" in the Netherlands.

Shortly after we got him:

A week after the treatment:

 

[Kaysie]

Niels, is he just wet in the second picture, or does he have 'the shine'?

 

[Niels D]

No, he wasn't wet and he was indeed a bit "shiny" at first. On that pic you see that he doesn't have his eyes completely open. In the beginning he had his eyes closed all the time and the structure of his "face" was totally diffirent. He looked really bad.

I thought it wouldn't work out well, but the fact that he made it proves how hardy these Pacs are. Thanks too Dr. Maas (one of the vets) he recovered. On the first picture he was wet of course.

 

[Ed]

Is that a prolapse or is it a lesion alongside the cloaca?
Did the vets specifically call it red leg? Was a blood sample taken as a diagnostic to prove it was septic?


Ed