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Injury advice |
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Wills
New Member Joined: 26 Sep 2012 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 26 Sep 2012 at 1:01pm |
Hello, I am trying to find information related to an injured frog (rana temporaria) and wonder whether anyone can advise...? It is mature, ~ 12cm long, and was under cut long grass that was being collected. The injuries were sustained last Thursday, 20 September 2012, as the tines of a pitchfork were raked across it. Observed from above/behind itβs right back leg has a clean break above the ankle (second joint from hip), severely affecting limb motility below this point. The foot has suffered trauma also, including abrasion of the skin, and the toes appear broken. The left back foot is also damaged, including a severed toe (which was amputated later), broken toes and skin abrasion. It appears to be blind in the right eye, although I do not know whether I did this. Wounds were washed in spring water, and frog was put in relatively sterile contained environment (Cl free cardboard, local stones for cover, water bowl). On Friday, 21 September 2012, attempt made to splint leg (of very vocal frog), which failed as break too close to joint and dressing perhaps distressed frog causing it to move about resulting in splint/dressing coming off. On Sunday, 23 September 2012, water etc was changed in container and in an attempt to aid healing and inhibit infection manuka honey was applied to open wounds on feet. "Slime"/skin seemed to be peeling from left leg. Condition of right foot seems to be worsening. Meal worms purchased (although suspect was predating on plentiful supply of crickets in field β it seems very plump indeed). My main concerns are: (a) likely healing process/times for this species (with a view to determining a release date prior to hibernation period)? (b) suggested course of treatments (e.g. is it worth trying to set leg bone again using different method) ? (c) normal eating patterns (how long can it go without food, etc.)? (d) suitable food and food size etc. (has not eaten anything since injury/captivity including earth worms, meal worms, slugs, wood lice)? (d) any other useful info? I am hopeful for it's surviving injuries given activity and have seen many disfigured amphibians surviving locally to succeed, but have phenological concerns. The land is managed to support excellent biodiversity, so if it can recover from skin trauma and manage with one back leg it will be in a good place. I have attached a link to a flickr album of some images. I know very little about cold-blooded life so any advice appreciated. Many thanks in advance. Wills. http://www.flickr.com/photos/87708155@N06/sets/72157631627440149/with/8026288026/ |
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GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
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Hi Wills,
I have observed many wild frogs carrying injuries, including broken and partially missing hind limbs. As they don't tend to do well in captivity I would be tempted to let the frog take its chances. Food wise, the frog should feed happily on earth worms if offered, in fact anything that moves it can get in its mouth ought to do! It really depends how well you think the frog is doing in captivity. One option would be to keep it over winter without hibernation to allow the injuries to heal. In this case an aquarium with all sides covered so it doesn't attempt to jump at the glass may help. If however you think the frog is stressed in captivity, it won't aid healing much. Difficult call really, you may want to get some form of suitable anti-bacterial application for the wounds from an experienced herp vet. I wouldn't worry too much about splinting the leg, they usually will heal up unaided, even if at funny angles, without it stopping the frog being active. We do have a herp vet that visits the forum, so hopefully he will see this thread.
Edited by GemmaJF - 26 Sep 2012 at 3:44pm |
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Wills
New Member Joined: 26 Sep 2012 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Hi, many thanks for your reply GemmaJF. I would like to release the frog as soon as possible; it is certainly not my desire to keep it in captivity any longer than necessary. Due to it not eating offered food I have been tempted already. However, whilst the injuries appear extensive and open, and in view of it potentially entering a hibernating phase fairly soon I am concerned about wound infection. If there were some form of appropriate antibacterial treatment suitable for application before release that would be good β how do I find a local herp vet? My concern regarding splinting the leg is primarily due to
the broken end of the leg bone being apparent against the inside of the skin in
this region, looking very uncomfortable! On another note, when changing water etc yesterday (and removing uneaten now dead meal worms) there was a very dark coloured gelatinous mass, ~2cm diameter, deposited on a stone β presumably some form of excreta? Many thanks for all advice, Wills. |
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herpetologic2
Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511 |
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You could ask your local vet either to put it to sleep or to dress the wound with some antibacterial power or something similar before releasing into the wild. Most vets will treat wildlife and I am certain that they could help with a frog.
Getting back it out to the garden would be the best thing for it. If you are concerned with infection then euthanasia would be an option. Regards Jon
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