salt water????

[Tara Garratt]

It's been a sad couple of days here. The frogs (White's) did not improve. The smallest one died yesterday, and the second one is going down hill fast. I have spoken to several vets here--none were especially helpful and some were less than helpful. The last vet suggested putting a strong salt water solution on the eyes. I have not done it as I think it would be very painful and perhaps deadly (not that they are not dying anyway, but it does not need to be painful). Have any of you heard about using salt water in frogs eyes? Please let me know.

Thanks,
Tara Garratt

[Dozer]

I'm not sure about a strong salt water solution in the eyes since I have never heard of anything like that before. What are you trying to do to it? Heal it? I dunno the situation :|

[Tara Garratt]

Hi Dozer,
Yes, I am trying to cure this ailment, whatever the heck it is. These poor white's are in rough shape. I have explained in previous posts that shortly after they arrived their eyes became white, puffy and cloudy. In Saskatchewan it seems to be impossible to find a vet who knows a lot about frogs. The best suggestions seem to have come from a friend who raises dendrobates. At his sugestion I started them on kanamycin. I have not been successful in saving the poor wee things. One has already died.

Anyway, I spoke to another vet who suggested that the salt water would clear up the infection in the eyes, if it is an infection. This is the same vet who suggested it could be things like:
a) cholesterol deposits--not likely as the frogs arevery young and only the size of a really big lima bean
b) protozoans behind the eye--these are captive bred babies
and a few more equally impossible scenarios.

I have not tried ithe salt water thus far, because although they really have nothing to lose, I don't want to cause them excesive pain. I don't really trust what the vet said, given her suggestions as to what the problems could be. I think salt in the eyes would be extremely painful.

My question is; has anyone ever tried salt water solutions on frogs before? If so, what was the outcome?

I would appeciate any advice.

Thanks,
Tara Garratt