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RAUK - Archived Forum - Ranavirus

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Ranavirus:

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Splash
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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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.


herpvet
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Joined: 30 Oct 2006
No. of posts: 30


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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.
Splash
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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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.


herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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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
GemmaJF
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Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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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
Splash
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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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.

http://www.frogs-watch.co.uk/


Splash
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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Posted: 16 Jan 2007

I thought it may be of interest if i posted an image of one of the frogs


GemmaJF
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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
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
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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
Splash
Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
No. of posts: 13


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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.
David Bird
Forum Specialist
Joined: 17 Feb 2003
No. of posts: 515


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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.
Splash
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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Posted: 19 Jan 2007

thanks for the info.

sorry to miss lead you but the photo was taken in the summer.


Splash
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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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.

frog

Splash39185.7267708333
herpetologic2
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Joined: 15 Jun 2004
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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
Splash
Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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Posted: 13 Apr 2007

I have never heard that frogs shred their skin and I have not seen such a thing.


herpetologic2
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Joined: 15 Jun 2004
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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
GemmaJF
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Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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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

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