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Lump on an American Bullfrog - indigestion or a tumour? 6/28/2011
Hello,
<Hello!>
I have been keeping a relatively young American Bullfrog for the past 2 weeks. The frog is currently 4.5 cm long from its snout to its vent.
I keep it in a plastic 30 cm by 30 cm by 30 cm tank. This is filled with shallow water and a few smooth pebbles. I don't line the bottom with gravel as I'm worried that my frog may accidentally ingest tiny sand and rock particles. The tank has a filter and I change the water once a week. The average temperature is within the 28 C ~ 32 C range (I live in the tropics).
<That's a bit warm for this species. Can the vivarium be placed anywhere cooler?>
I feed the frog a mixture of crickets (it's staple diet) and mealworms.
<Do you supplement with vitamins and calcium? On their own neither of these foods is complete. But if you can dust them with vitamins, or gut-load them with a good food (even aquarium fish food would be better than nothing) you can avoid problems with vitamin and mineral deficiency. For example, lack of iodine can cause growth problems, lack of calcium problems with the bones, lack of B1 can lead to skeletal deformities, and so on.>
Exactly three days ago, I noticed a small lump on the left side of my frog's belly. It has been there ever since. (Please see attached photo - is this high resolution enough? The frog's been placed against a white background for enhanced visibility but if the image of the lump still isn't clear, please let me know.)
The frog also occasionally regurgitates cricket heads and abdomens. This is especially so if the crickets are around 2 cm long - perhaps these crickets are too large for the frog's liking
<Quite normal.>
Apart from this, the frog is apparently healthy and has no appetite issues.
I have no idea how to distinguish between a cancerous lump and one that's merely due to indigestion. I thought that the likelihood of having a tumour was rather low (considering that my frog is still young) but brought it to see a vet anyway. The local vet was downright clueless and callously suggested I throw my frog away.
<Yikes! Would have to imagine Bullfrogs would VERY UNWELCOME in most tropical countries, so if you do destroy this animal, you would have to dispose of the corpse carefully. The risk of carrying frog diseases to the wild is much too high (amphibians around the world are in terrible trouble).>
I've read a similar article on WWM but it dealt with the African Clawed Frog, so I'm not sure if the information provided applies.
Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Sufen
<Do think a cancer is unlikely, but a nutritional problem is very possible.
Do review diet, and act accordingly. Hope this helps, Neale.>

Re: Lump on an American Bullfrog - indigestion or a tumour?    6/29/11
Hello Neale,
Thanks for the absolutely prompt reply!
<Glad to help.>
I've placed a few cooler packs beneath the tank and the water temperature has dropped to 26 C. I know it's not much, but does this help?
<Can do. So will evaporation and a carefully-placed fan near the aquarium.
Of course these animals jump out, so a mesh lid would be essential. Whilst these animals are very tough, I'm just a bit concerned that constant tropical temperatures wouldn't be good for what is basically a temperate-zone animal.>
I'll try dusting the crickets with some vitamin powder and see what happens.
<Cool.>
Regards,
Su Fen
P.S.: No, it's not that Bullfrogs are disliked in my country. It's just that most people view frogs as a delicious source of food rather than a pet. The American Bullfrog is farmed and commonly sold in local markets.
<Interesting. Only eaten frogs the one time, in France.>
But I'll certainly keep in mind your suggestion of disposing the corpse properly when my frog dies (let's hope it doesn't come to this) - I wouldn't want to decimate our indigenous frog populations!
<Quite right! Good luck, Neale.>

Bullfrog with possible fungus?   3/4/06 I have recently taken in a Bullfrog. A Friend of mine found it sitting in a parking lot here in Ohio. It's been snowing here. <Must've been imported...> He is very active and has a good appetite. I noticed over the past week he has developed white spots on his eye lid, hind legs and on his back. Is it a fungus? <Too likely so> If so what is the best way to treat it? <Mmm, this animal needs to be in a "proper environment" first and foremost... heated, filtered, with the water checked for metabolite build-up... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/amphibsysfaqs.htm> I have read a variety of different things about using fish meds on amphibians and am not sure what to do? Is Malachite Green, Formalin, or Methylene Blue safe? <No> Is Maroxy? I read somewhere that Malachite Green could be deadly to amphibians. <Yes... shades of the Jan. issue of National Geographic... which contained a harrowing piece on the disappearance of frogs... I would try a "sulfa block" devised for aquatic herps here. ZooMed, among others offer these... Along with an adequate environment. Bob Fenner> Erin