Sticky Tongue Syndrome (STS)
(AKA: Short Tongue Syndrome)

Cureable, with higher success when caught early.
Unaddressed, it leads to weight loss, emaciation, and eventually death.

DESCRIPTION:
This condition is also called squamous metaplasia. The tongue loses its stickiness and cannot pick up feeders as it could before. This lead people to think the tongue was too short. While the length of the tongue is not actually affected, the name has nevertheless, stuck.

Another symptom that can be associated with hypovitaminosis A, though more rarely seen, is swelling of the conjunctiva. This can be seen in only one corner of the eye (typically the inside corner), both corners, and even along the bottom of the eye in extreme cases. Both loss of tongue stickiness and swelling of conjunctiva may or may not be linked with loss of weight. If it is not addressed, weight loss and emaciation will be forthcoming.

Internal organs such as the kidneys and bladder are also affected, but the effects will not be visible externally.

CAUSE:
Lack of vitamin A (be that just not supplied enough in the diet, not in a form that dart frogs can uptake, or the supplements provided are degraded. Dart frogs cannot effectively convert beta carotene to vitamin A. Vitamin A will also degrade when exposed to oxygen. It is for this reason that it is hobby recommendation to store supplements in the refrigerator and replace them every 6 months after opening. The best-by date on the bottles are for unopened containers. See Supplements for more information.

TREATMENT:
Fortunately, most cases of hypovitaminosis A are successfully reversible and treatable when caught early. Check the supplement brands and age from opening to ensure fresh supplements.

Vitamin baths and dosing up to 1x per week with vitamin A.
Be careful not to do more than 1x per week as Vitamin A is fat-soluble and is toxic when overdosed.

Replace all supplements with fresh and proper supplements if they are: 1) older than 6months after opening, 2) have not been stored in the refrigerator or freezer, or 3) are not suitable for dart frogs. There are many variations with what people dust the feeders with. Refer to breeder recommendations.