Amphibians with Red Leg Syndrome

Do you know anything about amphibians with red leg syndrome?

Red leg syndrome is an infection caused by a bacterial pathogen. It is common is amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders.

As its name states it is when redness occurs on the underside of the animals legs and on their abdomen. The reddening of the legs and abdomen is because of the capillaries under the skin stretching. Other symptoms of red leg syndrome in amphibians include lethargy, excessive weight loss, open sores, anemia, and collection of fluid in the abdomen. In severe cases an amphibian can actually bleed from the tongue, skeletal muscles, or the protective skin fold under their eye.

Red leg syndrome usually occurs due to dirty water, poor living conditions, and being underfed. The bacteria that leads to red leg syndrome can be airborne and also be contracted through infected water or food.

If you notice you have an amphibian that appears to have red leg syndrome, separate them from others because it can spread and cause an outbreak. Amphibians with red leg syndrome may need to be taken to a veterinarian. Veterinarians can run blood or urine tests and figure out exactly what type of infection is causing the disorder. They will also look for dead cells in organs such as the liver and spleen.

Once a veterinarian has determined exactly what caused the red leg syndrome they can treat it. The most common treatment is antibiotics. Follow all instructions your veterinarian gives you to prevent red leg syndrome from occurring again. Most amphibians can recover from red leg syndrome unless is goes on unnoticed and untreated. Seeking immediate treatment is always the best option to ensure a quick recovery.

Preventing red leg syndrome from occurring can usually be done by keeping your amphibian's home clean. Tanks need to be cleaned regularly and fresh water is always needed.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.