Calcium Deficiency (Hypocalcemia)
Cureable, with higher success when caught early.
Unaddressed, it often leads to death.
Preventable as an incorrect diet or stress are leading causes.
DESCRIPTION:
"Hypo" meaning "under" or "below normal", and "calcemia" referring to calcium blood levels. Seizures, cramping, stretching out either all legs or just the back legs, and twitching legs (not to be confused with normal behavior: toe tapping), are common visual symptoms.
Medication sourcing:
FrogsnThings.com has small squeeze droppers available.
HoustonFrogs.com often has emergency health kits available.
For a longer term storage or more bulk sizing desired, one can buy Calcium gluconate powder from human supplement companies. To make a 2% solution, weigh 2 grams of powder and 98 grams water for create a 2% solution. The unused solution can be kept in the refrigerator for two weeks. After two weeks, the solution should not be used as bacteria can grow in the solution.
CAUSE:
A lack of calcium causes the neurons and nerves to misfire, resulting in shakes, twitching, and inability to control the body. The two main causes are diet and stress. Vitamin D3, a proper balance of calcium and phosphorus, proper levels of bio-available vitamin A, magnesium, and a variety of other vitamins and fatty acids are required for proper calcium uptake. If incorrectly balanced, old, or improperly stored supplements are used, this can reduce the intake of Calcium leading to a deficiency. See <Supplements> for more information.
Hypocalcemia is not very unusual to see in Oophaga species after shipping or during reptil/amphibian expos. This is also the case for both wild-caught and captive bred frogs. This genus tends to be more susceptible to hypocalcemia when under stress.
TREATMENT:
Replace any old all-in-one supplements or improper brands with new and proper. Store in the fridge and replace every 6 months from opening. Even if the supplements are nearing the 6-month mark, there's no harm in replacing with fresh just to confirm and start fresh.
Depending on the severity, 2% calcium gluconate solution dropped on the back of the ailing frog may be all that is needed. This is typically applied multiple times. Dropping the solution on the back of the frog is a less stressful application than moving the frog for a soak or bath in the solution.
If calcium gluconate is not available, a solution made of water and a fresh and proper Calcium +D3 supplement can be made and used as a soak. There is not a specific ratio of water to supplement, many keepers have found placing water and a dash of supplement into a test tube or small tupperware, lidding it, and shaking it until dissolved to work well. Any undissolved bits will be irritating to the frog's skin. if placing on the back of the frog, draw from the water column. If using as an-open access soak, simply emptying the solution into the petri dish works well.
Least stressful way is to drop the solution onto the back of the frog, or have the frog sit in a petri dish/hide combo and put enough of the solution to touch the frog. Does not need to be very high on the frog - submersion for instance is not needed. The frog will absorb through the skin.
Replace the solution daily and make fresh solution each day until it can eat dusted feeders on its own.
EXAMPLES
[type of frog]
Dendrobates 'Matecho' male
(Photo credit: )