Trauma in an amphibian

24 Trauma in an amphibian




INITIAL PRESENTATION


Superficial wound in a marine toad.



Introduction


Amphibians rarely present to veterinary clinics, but make interesting patients. Conditions are often related to husbandry issues, although infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis are also prevalent. Care should be taken when handling and housing amphibians in the clinic.



CASE PRESENTING SIGNS


An adult marine toad (Bufo marinus) (Box 24.1) presented with a superficial wound on the proximal ventral area of one hindlimb.



BOX 24.1 Ecology of marine toads



• Also known as cane, giant or Mexican toads

• Range in the wild: native to Central and South America, but introduced to many regions for agricultural pest control. Introduced into Australia in the 1930s to control pests in sugarcane plantations, but became a pest species

• Normal habitat: terrestrial. Require water to breed. Tropical/subtropical regions

• Average weight: females up to 2.5 kg (report of one individual measuring 38 cm and weighing 2.65 kg)

• Measure 10–15 cm from snout to vent (females <26 cm); tadpoles 1.0–2.5 cm in length

• Tongue strikes prey in 37 ms, taking about 143 ms to capture prey

• Free-ranging diet: mostly invertebrates such as ants, beetles, termites. Also anything that fits into the toad’s mouth, such as small mammals (rodents), reptiles, birds and other amphibians

• Can project toxic fluid up to 1 m from their parotid glands. Human fatalities in Fiji and the Philippines have occurred after eating the toad, or even soup prepared from its eggs

• Reproduction: sexually mature at 9–10 cm in length; 8–25 000 small eggs per clutch, in rosary-like strings

• Life expectancy 10–15 years in the wild, <35 years in captivity

• Critical thermal maximum of 40–42°C and minimum around 10–15°C

• High tolerance of water loss.


Husbandry


The toad was housed in a room with the owner’s other pets, but within a separate enclosure. The terrarium was constructed of glass – measuring 30 × 45 cm – insulated on three sides and with a ventilation panel in the lid. It was positioned in an area of the owner’s living room that was sheltered from direct sunlight. The substrate consisted of a moist layer of sphagnum moss overlying a layer of pea gravel, with bark chippings and a wooden branch at one end. A hide area of cork bark was also provided. The enclosure also contained some artificial plants.


A small freshwater pool – 2 cm in depth – was provided. The water was changed weekly. The enclosure was misted twice daily to increase the relative humidity. A UV light was positioned approximately 30 cm above the substrate, and had been new when the owner acquired the animal six months ago.


The enclosure temperature was 23–27°C and relative humidity 70–85%. These were monitored using a maximum–minimum digital thermometer and hygrometer.


The animal’s diet comprised mealworms, crickets, locusts and pinkies (newborn mice). The invertebrates were gut-loaded during the 24 hours prior to feeding the toad, and dusted with a mineral supplement prior to feeding.


The owner kept several other amphibians, including a White’s tree frog (Litoria caerulea), axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) and some fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra). None of these animals had significant medical history. The marine toad had been quarantined for a period of 1 month on acquisition; it was housed in a separate room during this period and separate cleaning utensils were used.



Case History


The toad had been in the current owner’s possession for 6 months. The problem had been noted 2 hours prior to presentation:


• A wound was seen on the right hind leg

• Demeanour, appetite and defaecation were normal

• A new plastic hide had been placed in the enclosure the previous day. No other husbandry changes had been made in the previous 6 months.


Clinical Examination


A visual assessment was made of the toad while contained within the clear plastic transport container. This revealed:


• The toad was bright, alert and reactive

• A lesion was present on the ventral surface of the thigh on the right hind leg.

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Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Trauma in an amphibian

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