Itโs Wednesday my dudes! ๐ธ Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ !
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ or ๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ is one of the most recognizable diseases of amphibian species. As the name suggests, this condition is a bacterial condition that affects the skin (dermato-), turning it red!
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Any amphibian can get this!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Red leg is most commonly attributed to the bacteria ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐, however many other bacteria can cause it as well. These infections typically occur when amphibians are stressed, and their immune system isnโt functioning optimally. Therefore, common risk factors for red leg include overcrowded habitats, shipment or transport of amphibians, poor water quality, or suboptimal environmental temperatures.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
This condition causes ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐, where bacteria are free in the bloodstream and spread to multiple organs. Once of the most common outcomes of this septicemia is reddening of the skin, hence the name โred legโ. Ulcers and edema of the skin are also common.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
The diagnosis is confirmed through culturing the bacteria.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐? ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐?
Treatment involves antibiotics that target the specific bacteria that is cultured. Prevention involves reducing amphibian stress, including ensuring their environment is optimal for their species.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-3) Frogs with skin ulcers and reddening of the skin from red leg.
4) Sometimes the changes of red leg are quite subtle. This frog has multiple tiny red spots all over its pale underbelly, indicating the infection.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Terio, KA, McAloose, D, St. Leger, J. Pathology of Wildlife and Zoo Animals. 2018.
Photos 1-4 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributor Saunders, McNamara, Williams, Harmon licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
