Red Eyed Tree Frog - Gooey Bum

[Saedcantas]

I've seen a fair few prolapses that were very pale in colour, if the amphib is anaemic or otherwise ill it can have a very pale prolapse. Otherwise if the prolapse is mostly fluid filled, blood supply can be constricted in the first place, so it doesnt swell with blood like you'd expect to see as in Andrew's pic, but again, appear very pale.

Chris, if you can definitely see veins in it, no matter what colour it is, it's part of his insides and is potentially now damaged.
I think the only real answer to this is to take him to a herps trained vet and they can hopefully sort it out.

Best of luck
Lotte***

[Saedcantas]

Hi Chris, I hope you get back to check this as I'm desperate to know if your little guy is ok?

Lotte***

[chris354724]

im sorry but he died. i think it was my fault as i had removed some of it before i knew what it was.

I tried seperating it in the tank with sugar water but by the morning it was floating in the water.

The nice guy at worcester reptiles will replace it but i need to know a. why this can happen? b. is it likely to happen again? c. best way to protect this from happening?

At least i know what to do now but thats too late for the little guy

thanks for your concern.

Chris

[Saedcantas]

Hey Chris,

Gutted to hear it mate, but I honestly think the best thing from this is that you admitted and came back to tell us how it went. At the very least, other people with a similar problem may be helped by reading this.

Cloacal prolases can happen in amphibians for a number of different reasons, the most usual;
-impaction or just constipation, if the amphib has been accidently eating substrate or foods with hard exoskeletons it's possible for them to get a bit blocked up and then when they strain to try and get it sorted, same as humans and other animals they accidently force their bits and bobs out!
-Metabolic Bone Diseases or general calcium deficiency. Animals need calcium for properly functioning muscles as well as good bone structure, amphibians with poor calcium levels can have weak muscles and therefore their cloaca can simply slip out and prolapse.

It's likely that your little RETF had a calcium problem and therefore if you do get a new one from the same shop, make sure you keep a close eye on it, give it a well supplimented variety of foods and watch for any tell tale MBD signs, soft joints, broken limbs, rubber jaw etc.

Again, I'm really sorry this happened to you and your frog, best wishes in the future and you're welcome to contact me for more information if you ever need it
Lotte***

[chris354724]

cheers lotte you know what you're talking about. ill keep an eye on it when it arrives. what else can i feed it apart from hatchling crickets?

ta

chris