How to help my African Clawed Frog: shedding, no appetite, lethargy?

Clean and sanitize the tank. Replace ALL the substrate with fresh organic topsoil or coco fiber. Do not use vermiculite or perlite. Avoid gravel, sand or wood chips. Ideal temperature ranges between 68F and 78F with the cooler end reserved for nighttime. Mist the cage several times weekly to maintain humidity. Provide a water bowl and clean it daily. Soak him in a tepid (75F) 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will provide warmth and hydration. A cold frog will not eat. Afterwards, offer live food. Something with a lot of movement like nightcrawlers or mealworms. If he still doesn't eat, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles and amphibians.

Maintain pristine water quality in the main tank and monitor the fish for similar symptoms. A bit of aquarium salt ( not table or Epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for no more than two weeks then perform partial water changes to decrease salinity. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. I am sorry for the loss of your frog. Your remaining ADF sounds quite ill by your description. Again, maintain pristine water quality in the quarantine tank with a water temp of 78 F. ADFs, and amphibians in general, ate quite sensitive to changes in water chemistry. Elevated ammonia or nitrite levels can kill. Other possibilities for the bloating include improper diet, obstruction or kidney failure. You can try a fast for a couple days along with salt baths. This may relieve the bloating. If it is dropsy, unfortunately by the time a frog is bloated, the survival rate is very low.

Remove her from her main tank and put her in a smaller hospital tank. You can use paper towels for substrate. Change them daily. Increase tank temps to 80 F with a basking spot of about 85 F. Maintain humidity at 70%. Mist her daily and provide a water bowl. Use only dechlorinated water. It she isn't defecating normally, a soak in a honey and water solution may stimulate defecation. A dilute unflavored PediaLyte solution can treat or prevent mild dehydration. Offer appropriately sized prey, no bigger than the space between her eyes. You can also feed bits of nightcrawlers. If the redness and symptoms persist, have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles and amphibians.

Check the water quality and temperature. Frogs are very sensitive to poor water quality. Low temps can affect appetite and activity. You may need to perform a water change and increase filtration. Discoloration may be due to poor water quality or infection. If the water changes do not help, consider an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles and amphibians.

Tetracycline is commonly used in this species, however it is poorly absorbed if mixed into the water. The best way to treat with tetracycline is to give it orally. Ideally, the frog should be physically examined by a veterinarian experienced in treating amphibians. A dose can be given after the exam. Aid in treatment and recovery by maintaining pristine water quality and environmental conditions. Since tetracycline can cause light sensitivity, you may need to limit lighting (UVB and natural) for a couple weeks during and after treatment.

Check the water chemistry and quality. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and improve water quality. use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Fast Froggy for 2-3 days then offer bits of cooked and shelled green peas. If the issue s constipation, this should help. Maintain water temp at the upper limit to aid in digestion.For ADFs, this is about 78 F. An Epsom salt bath may also decrease the bloating. Do NOT use table salt or aquarium salt. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of conditioned water and allow for a 30 minute swim once daily. If the bloating is due to bacterial infection, Maracyn 2 can be found in the Aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and consider moving the frog to a hospital tank during treatment.

Confirm proper environmental parameters. Frogs are very sensitive to changes in water chemistry and water temperature. Offer food every other day. ADFs are small and don't need to eat much. Feed as much as he will eat in 5-10 minutes. You can offer frog pellets, frozen or live brine shrimp or frozen bloodworms. Frozen beef heart can be used as an occasional treat. Remove any uneaten food promptly to prevent fouling the water.