Common Pacman Frog Illnesses

Overall, Pacman frogs are very hearty animals and become ill infrequently. Maintaining a clean cage prevents most illnesses, but there are a few problems that Pacman frog owners must be aware of.

Red leg disease is a common problem in most frogs, but identifying it in Pacman frogs can be difficult because the symptoms are hard to notice. Laziness and bloating are symptoms of red leg disease, but Pacman frogs are naturally very inactive and puffy. The symptom you need to look for is the red spotting that occurs on the rear legs of your frog. These red blotches are caused by blood vessels that have burst, making this a serious issue. This disorder is caused by the aeromonas bacteria, and it’s only treatable with antibiotics from a veterinarian. Sadly, even with prompt treatment there is a high fatality rate. Red leg disease can easily be prevented by maintaining a clean terrarium.

Metabolic bone disease is another disorder that often plagues Pacman frogs. This disorder is caused by a calcium deficiency, and can be prevented by making sure to coat your Pacman frog’s food with a calcium dust. It’s very important to provide your Pacman frog with a nutritious diet to prevent this disorder, because it’s almost always fatal. Once again, this disorder is hard to diagnose in Pacman frogs because the symptoms include laziness and bloating. However, you should be able to see noticeable swelling your in your Pacman frog’s legs.

Because Pacman frogs like to spend much of their time buried, they are prone to getting fungal infections. If you notice any white or brown growths on your frog, this can be an indication of a fungus. Be sure to inspect closely, because Pacman frogs naturally have brown bumps on their bodies. Fungal infections will look almost fluffy like cotton, and feel slimy to the touch. If you ever see a fungus, it can be treated by gently wiping the fungus off with a cotton ball soaked in a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution.

Fungi growth can be prevented by regularly cleaning the terrarium, and consistently changing your Pacman frog’s substrate every two weeks. Any bodily waste needs to be removed as soon as you see it to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Mixing the substrate and tossing it every couple of days can also help prevent fungus from growing in your substrate.

Occasionally, if you are feeding your Pacman frog mice, they could possibly get mites. Depending on the type of mites, you may actually be able to see them crawling on your frog, and others you will only notice the bites they leave. Pet shops sell products that can get rid of mites, and it will also be necessary to thoroughly clean the entire terrarium to prevent the infestation from growing.