Diseases in Green Tree Frogs

Belonging to the genus hyla, the green tree frog is a common frog species within North and South America and can most commonly be found within the southern states, particularly Louisiana and Georgia. Due to the frog's passive ability, calming nature and its curiosity for the human species, this frog type is often taken up as pets. Like any other frog species, the green tree frogs are prone to diseases and infections. Spirometra, salmonella, rhabdias and metabolic bone disease are common diseases in green tree frogs.

  1. Spirometra

    • Spirometra refers to a parasitic tapeworm that can inhabit the frog's stomach and small intestine. Once the tapeworm has planted itself within the gastro intestinal tract, it feeds off the frog's diet and nutrient supply. While within the frog host, the tapeworm will grow and reproduce eggs. These eggs will be expelled with the feces. Spirometra will greatly affect the nutrient supply of the frog, and depending on the severity of the illness, the frog can become severely malnourished.

    Salmonella

    • Salmonella refers to the bacteria that inhabit the intestine and can cause salmonellosis. The bacterium enters the body through the oral cavity and can make the person ill for several days. Symptoms of the illness include fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Green tree frogs are a carrier of the bacteria salmonella and can spread the illness and be infected by it themselves.

    Rhabdias

    • Like spirometra, rhabdias is another parasitic infection. In this case, however, the infecting worm uses the lungs rather than the stomach for its environment. Upon infection, large adult worms can be found within the lungs while its eggs and larvae use the stomach as a host. Rhabdias is a serious condition and can cause pneumonia and lung failure, which will ultimately lead to death. Rhabdias is difficult to diagnosis and as a result, the frog's illness can worsen or it can cause other health complications before it is determined the frog has rhabdias.

    Metabolic Bone Disease

    • Metabolic bone disease is a condition where the tree frog's skeletal framework has been compromised. This happens usually because there was not a sufficient supply of calcium within the frog's diet, which then resulted in the frog using the calcium in its bones for its every day needs. The symptoms of this disease are usually distorted bones and limbs. Bone fracture is also another common symptom. If a sufficient supply of calcium is introduced in the frog's diet, it can reverse some of the symptoms associated with this disease.