Keep your PacMan frog happy and healthy by avoiding these ten signs of an unhealthy PacMan frog. PacMan frogs are easy to care for, but unfortunately some unhealthy conditions can arise. Continue reading to learn more about the ten most common PacMan frog ailments.
It is very important to keep a close check on your PacMan frog’s health, because they can have some health issues when kept in captivity as pets. Anything from unsanitary housing conditions to improper diet, to a lack of proper care, can cause an unhealthy PacMan frog over time.
It is also a good idea to take your PacMan frog to a qualified reptile/amphibian veterinarian for semi-annual or annual check-ups. The veterinarian can perform fecal exams, blood tests, and other exams to check for the overall good health of the frog.
Here are 10 signs that you may have an unhealthy PacMan frog.
1. Lack of Appetite
PacMan frogs are generally very ferocious eaters, it’s how they acquired their nickname “PacMan”. Typically, when a PacMan frog is feeling a bit under the weather the first sign is usually how much and how often it eats. If you begin to notice that your PacMan frog is not eating like it did at one time there could be a health-related issue.
Here are a few things to check if your PacMan frog’s appetite drastically slows or stops.
Improper temperatures, low humidity, or inadequate UVA/UVB exposure can cause your PacMan frog to become sluggish and lose its appetite. Always keep a check on temperatures and humidity levels inside your frog’s terrarium using a high quality digital thermometer/hygrometer.
PacMan frogs require UVA/UVB lighting to aid in the production of Vitamin D3 and for good digestion. This is also needed for the development of a strong skeletal system, because vitamin D3 supports the absorption of calcium. UVA/UVB exposure also helps to promote a healthy appetite, good digestion, and can increase activity levels.
If you have a newly-introduced PacMan frog, stress could be the culprit of why it has a lack of appetite. When you first bring your new pet home make sure to have its home fully operational and functional, and give it a place to hide so it can feel secure. This may help to reduce stress and reduce the amount of time it takes for your PacMan frog to adjust to its new surroundings.
Recommendations To Stimulate Appetite
- Monitor temperature and humidity readings by using a high quality digital thermometer/hygrometer inside the terrarium. We recommend the Exo Terra Digital Combination Thermometer/Hygrometer.
- Provide adequate lighting exposure by using a compact fluorescent bulb. We recommend the GE Natural Daylight Compact Fluorescent Lamp.
- Always supplement food items with a quality calcium supplement. We recommend Repashy Calcium Plus.
- Provide a newly acquired PacMan frog a good place to hide so it will feel secure to reduce stress. We recommend the Mossy Cave, but anything that is large enough for the PacMan frog to get in and out of will suffice.
- Give the PacMan frog a bath in diluted, unflavored Pedialyte. Put a couple drops of unflavored Pedialyte to every one quart of clean, fresh water. Place the PacMan frog in the Pedialyte mixture (about 1/2″ deep, depending on the size of the frog) for about 20 – 30 minutes. The electrolytes from the Pedialyte can help the PacMan frog recover quicker.
2. Runny or Discolored Stool
If you find that your PacMan frog has a runny stool could be a sign of poor diet, or it could be a sign of possible internal parasites. It is always a good idea to take a stool sample to your veterinarian for fecal tests when you first bring your PacMan frog home. If parasites are found your veterinarian will prescribe medications to eliminate them.
A discolored stool can be a sign of poor diet or possible digestion issues. Again, take a stool sample to your veterinarian for fecal tests and make an appointment for further testing if needed. At times a drastic change in diet can also cause a discolored stool.
Recommendations To Improve Runny or Discolored Stool
- Make sure you are providing your PacMan frog with a nutritious, varied diet consisting of Dubia roaches, crickets, Goliath Worms, Nightcrawlers, and feeder fish. You can also mix in some wax worms as an occasional treat.
- If you discover your PacMan frog’s stool to be runny, like the consistency of pudding, then take a stool sample to your veterinarian for a fecal exam. Internal parasites are likely the culprit. Your veterinarian will come up with a treatment regiment to eliminate them.
3. Unable to Latch Onto Prey, Drooping Jaw
A drooping jaw or the inability to latch onto prey could be a possible sign of Metabolic Bone Disease. Metabolic Bone Disease affects the skeletal system of captive reptiles and amphibians that causes weak or brittle bones. This can lead to deformed bones, bones that break easily, and eventually death.
If you suspect your PacMan frog may be suffering from Metabolic Bone Disease you should seek a veterinarian immediately for diagnoses and treatment.
Recommendations for Preventing Metabolic Bone Disease
- Always supplement food items by dusting them with a calcium powder prior to offering them to your PacMan frog. We recommend using Repashy Calcium Plus. It is also recommended to dust food items with a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement once per week. We recommend using Herptivite.
4. Abscesses on Limbs
Since PacMan frogs tend to bury themselves and stay in that position for very long periods of time, it is possible that abscesses can form on the legs, especially the hind legs. These abscesses are typically not a big deal, but they should be monitored. If they begin to change in size and/or color then you may need to seek veterinarian advice and treatment.
In severe causes an antibiotic may be prescribed to help prevent infection. It is very important to keep the PacMan frog terrarium clean by supplying clean, fresh water and changing out the substrate at least once a month or more often if the substrate becomes heavily soiled. If the terrarium becomes smelly then it is time to disinfect the terrarium and replace the substrate and water.
Recommendations on Keeping Terrarium Clean
- Always keep the terrarium clean and sanitary by supplying clean, fresh water and frequently replacing soiled substrate. If you keep water in a bowl, change out the water every day and make sure to de-chlorinate your frog’s water using Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water Conditioner.
- A very popular substrate to use for PacMan frogs is Exo Terra Plantation Soil. Make sure the substrate stays damp, but not so wet that you can wring water from it. Change out the substrate at least once a month, or any time it becomes too wet, heavily soiled, or develops a bad smell.
5. Dry Skin Cocoon
If the PacMan frog terrarium has humidity levels that are too low or lacks clean, fresh water, the frog may form a dry, skin-like cocoon around itself. The PacMan frog does this to conserve moisture around itself to keep the skin moist and survive during dry conditions.
It is extremely important to provide your PacMan frog with fresh, clean water and a terrarium that has adequate humidity. If the dry conditions are not remedied soon the PacMan frog will dry out and die.
Recommendations on Preventing Dry Skin Cocoons
- Always provide clean, fresh water in the terrarium. If you keep part of the terrarium as a swimming area use a terrarium water filter to keep the water clean. If you keep water in a bowl, change out the water every day and make sure to de-chlorinate your frog’s water using Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water Conditioner.
- PacMan frogs require a high amount of humidity – at least 60%. To help keep humidity levels at that level use the Zoo Med ReptiFogger fogging system. Also, monitor humidity levels using a good quality humidity gauge.
6. Film Over Eyes
If you find a milky, opaque film over one, or both, of the PacMan frog’s eyes it could mean a couple of serious problems. A film over the eye(s) could be a sign of low humidity levels, unclean water conditions, or a diet that is high in fat content.
A fatty diet can lead to lipids building up on the eyes similar to cataracts with humans. Always make sure you are offering high quality food items and providing fresh, dechlorinated water.
Cloudy eyes could also be a symptom of Toxic Out Syndrome, which will be discussed below.
Seek treatment from a reptile veterinarian as soon as possible. The PacMan frog could lose its sight and lead to possible death if left untreated.
Recommendations on Preventing Film Over the Eyes
- Always keep the terrarium clean and sanitary by supplying clean, fresh water and frequently replacing soiled substrate. If you keep water in a bowl, change out the water every day and make sure to de-chlorinate your frog’s water using Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water Conditioner.
- Pacman frogs require a high amount of humidity – at least 60%. To help keep humidity levels at that level use the Zoo Med ReptiFogger fogging system. Also, monitor humidity levels using a good quality humidity gauge.
7. Erratic Jumping and Stretching Out Hind Legs
Erratic jumping and hind legs stretching out are typically signs of Toxic Out Syndrome. Toxic Out Syndrome happens when a PacMan frog sits in fouled water or substrate and absorbs the toxins through the skin. If left untreated the symptoms will get worse and lead to possible death.
The best way to treat Toxic Out Syndrome is by place the PacMan frog in fresh, clean, dechlorinated water until the symptoms subside. Change the water out every couple of hours until the frog’s behaviors return to normal. For severe cases seek a reptile veterinarian for treatment.
Recommendations on Preventing Toxic Out Syndrome
- Always keep the terrarium clean and sanitary by supplying clean, fresh water and frequently replacing soiled substrate. If you keep water in a bowl, change out the water every day and make sure to de-chlorinate your frog’s water using Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water Conditioner.
- A very popular substrate to use for PacMan frogs is Exo Terra Plantation Soil. Make sure the substrate stays damp, but not so wet that you can wring water from it. Change out the substrate at least once a month, or any time it becomes too wet, heavily soiled, or develops a bad smell.
8. Redness on the Belly or Bottom of Hind Legs
Red Leg Syndrome is generally a bacterial infection that causes the underside of the legs and abdomen to become red in color. This is caused by soiled and contaminated living conditions within the terrarium.
Common symptoms of Red Leg Syndrome are:
- Severe weight loss
- Anemia
- Lethargy
- Open sores on the body that do not heal
- Bleeding from the tongue or nose
If you suspect your PacMan frog has possible Red Leg Syndrome seek a qualified reptile veterinarian for treatment. A veterinarian will usually perform blood tests to check for the bacteria that causes Red Leg as well as check the liver and other organs. If the unhealthy PacMan frog is diagnosed with Red Leg Syndrome, the veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics for treatment.
Recommendations on Red Leg Syndrome
- Always keep the terrarium clean and sanitary by supplying clean, fresh water and frequently replacing soiled substrate. If you keep water in a bowl, change out the water every day and make sure to de-chlorinate your frog’s water using Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water Conditioner.
- A very popular substrate to use for PacMan frogs is Exo Terra Plantation Soil. Make sure the substrate stays damp, but not so wet that you can wring water from it. Change out the substrate at least once a month, or any time it becomes too wet, heavily soiled, or develops a bad smell.
- Frequently clean the terrarium with a disinfecting terrarium cleaner that is safe for reptiles and amphibians. Thoroughly clean the terrarium and replace the substrate at least once per month. It is best to spot clean any stool waste as soon as it is found.
- Give the frog a bath in warm, dechlorinated water with a few drops of ReptAid added. The ReptAid helps to fight bacterial infections and some parasites. Be sure to use ReptAid strictly to the manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Loss of Appetite, No Stool, and Hard Lump in Belly
If you find that your PacMan frog begins to have a loss of appetite, isn’t pooping, or you find a hard lump in the abdomen it could be signs that the PacMan frog is impacted.
Impaction is a term used to describe a blockage in the digestive system. This is usually caused by the frog swallowing an object that it cannot digest and becomes lodged somewhere in the digestive tract.
Impaction most likely causes not only an unhealthy PacMan frog, but can ultimately lead to death. If impaction is suspected seek a veterinarian immediately. Unfortunately, by the time impaction symptoms arise it is usually too late to remedy the issue.
Recommendations for Preventing Impaction
- Avoid placing anything in the terrarium that is small enough for the PacMan frog to swallow such as pebbles, small rocks, or small decor items. PacMan frogs close their eyes when going after food items, so they “blindly” lurch at food items when feeding. This means they can easily grab pebbles, loose moss, or other small, loose objects. If you have any items in the terrarium that could be potentially swallowed, try feeding the PacMan frog in a different, empty terrarium to avoid inadvertent swallowing of objects.
- If a hard lump is found in the belly area this could also be a hard stool. Try placing the frog in clean, dechlorinated water and gently massage its sides. This can be a tricky task as PacMan frogs do not generally like being bothered much. Also, use medical gloves when handling a PacMan frog as the oils from our skin can burn them. This can sometimes cause a bowel movement, but if the lump persists seek a veterinarian.
10. Obesity
Since PacMan frogs are naturally chubby in stature it can be difficult to tell if it is over weight. A reptile veterinarian can give you the answer by examining the weight relating to age. Blood tests can be performed to determine the fatty content of the PacMan frog’s liver.
Just like in humans, PacMan frogs can become obese with a diet that consists of fatty foods. You may be thinking, “PacMan frogs eat mostly insects, how can they become obese?”.
Some insects and other food prey can contain high fat content. Wax worms are generally high in fat content and also pinky mice. It is a good rule of thumb to feed the PacMan frog a varied, balanced diet and do not feed just one food all the time. There is nothing wrong with feeding a PacMan frog the occasional wax worm, or appropriately sized pinky mouse, but feed these in moderation.
Recommendations for Preventing Obesity
- Feed the PacMan frog a balanced and varied diet. Avoid feeding foods that are high in fat content such as wax worms or pinky mice too often. Moderation is key.
- It’s a good idea to have your PacMan frog examined regularly by a qualified reptile/amphibian veterinarian to its weight in check. Blood tests can also be performed to examine the health of the liver.
Avoid Having an Unhealthy PacMan Frog
Although we covered 10 signs you may have an unhealthy PacMan frog this is just a sample of illnesses or conditions that could affect them. If you ever have any suspicions that you may have an unhealthy PacMan frog seek a qualified veterinarian.
The suggestions in this article do not constitute medical advice and is intended as information only. If you believe your PacMan frog needs medical attention seek a qualified veterinarian immediately!