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Ranavirus: |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13  View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 13 Jan 2007 After a fantastic start to the breeding season last year I discovered that the Ranavirus had arrived in my ponds. I would like to know what I can expect as far as the continuing effects of the virus. Will it continue to devastate my frog community each year? Or will it run its course and leave resistant survivors. Has there been any research on survival statistics or related issues. |
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herpvet Member Joined: 30 Oct 2006 No. of posts: 30  View other posts by herpvet |
Posted: 15 Jan 2007 Hi, There are reports that populations may recover following an outbreak, although I'm not aware of significant research in this area (whether development of resistance, die-off of the virus or other cause). One question though, are you sure (had it confirmed in a laboratory) that it was/is ranavirus? There are several possible amphibian diseases with a potentially similar presentation, some of which are treatable, and it is worth getting any ill frogs treated/examined by a veterinary surgeon or dead frogs tested at a lab. Hope this helps. Bruce Maclean, Bird & Exotic Animal Veterinary Services. |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13 View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 16 Jan 2007 Thanks for your reply I have not had the renavirus confirmed. I did take photography and send it to Froglife org which they seemed to think it look like renavirus I think I will take your advice and at the first sign of the problem this year I will take any effected animals to my local vet. |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369  View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 16 Jan 2007
I think that the frogs may recover after the outbreak - you just need to keep all your spawn and not pass it on to other pond owners? The disease manifests itself in 'high' populations or for other reasons which we do not know the cause - local pesticide use may reduce the immune functions of the frogs etc Just keep an eye on the outbreak - remove dying frogs as soon as you see them to try and prevent any further outbreaks. It may be an idea to clear out the pond when the froglets have emerged this summer - to try and reduce the disease organisms
JC Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 16 Jan 2007 Hi Splash, I don't know your circumstances but it might be worth looking at the environment surrounding your pond(s). Many cases I have seen of mass frog mortality occurred in gardens. Often the surrounding vegetation gave limited opportunity for foraging and hiding from predators. I have a hunch therefore that a contributor in these outbreaks may be stress induced by environmental factors reducing immunity. Therefore if you haven't already got plenty of cover such as log piles and areas of long grass it may help to provide this type of habitat close to the ponds in addition to the advice given above. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13 View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 16 Jan 2007 As far as the environment is concerned I am careful to create an environment that I consider to be beneficial to the frogs. I am organic and have been for more than 20 years. I have plenty of foliage and log piles I even leave out rotting foliage for slugs. |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13 View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 16 Jan 2007 I thought it may be of interest if i posted an image of one of the frogs
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090 View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 17 Jan 2007 Hi Splash, I have had a chance to look at your site, we can rule out lack of suitable habitat then The frog pictured looks similar to many I have seen with what I now just call the 'lurgy' because nobody seems to agree what is going wrong. I hope your frogs recover or some light can be shed on the root cause by your local vet if the disease is still apparent in 2007. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 17 Jan 2007
There is a guy at the CEH in Dorset who is looking into this - viral transmission in amphibians - he spoke at the BHS meeting on the 16th December last year - dead frogs I think he asked for samples - I will find his contact details Regards JC Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13 View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 17 Jan 2007 Its good to know that there are poeple that are looking in to this problem. Yes i would be interested in contact details for the CEH man. |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 18 Jan 2007 I am not certain if this is Ranavirus, I thought that the main time of outbreaks of this disease was in June - August not the winter. The research is being carried out by Dr.Barry Hill and his section b.j.hill@cefas.co.uk and is at CEFAS at Weymouth not CEH at Winfith. There is a web site giving some information http://www.ranavirus.net/ranavirus.htm and it may be worth sending him the photos first before any specimens. British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13 View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 19 Jan 2007 thanks for the info. sorry to miss lead you but the photo was taken in the summer. |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13 View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 13 Apr 2007 There are plenty of frogs around this year to my relief. I am still worried, as I came a cross the Frog in the photo below today. I never saw this yawning, mouth opening and closing before I started to see Frogs with the infection. Last year I came across quite a few. You can also see in the photo mucus on the hand which I believe came from the mouth. I think you can also see evidence of this mucus in the water and on the log.
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 13 Apr 2007 Not just eating its shedded skin at all? Dont Frogs eat their old skin?
Jon
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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Splash Member Joined: 13 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 13 View other posts by Splash |
Posted: 13 Apr 2007 I have never heard that frogs shred their skin and I have not seen such a thing. |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 13 Apr 2007 Well as they grow they periodically shed their old skin - I am sure that's what happens and so they sometimes eat this I only suggest this as the picture looks like a frog eating its slough - though I may be wrong newts also shed their skin - my dad has some captive newts and there are shed skins in the water column JC Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090 View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 14 Apr 2007 Both frogs and toads shed their skins periodically. I've seen toads eat their skins many times - so not to much of a jump in faith to believe frogs do also. From the picture it looks like this is what may be happening. If you see the frog again splash let us know if it seems OK. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
- Ranavirus |
