Graceful Tree Frog

A Graceful Tree Frog (Litoria gracilenta) presented with damage to both eyes. It was in good body condition, although it was not eating well. It was very bright and active in its enclosure, with normal posture and was using all four limbs normally.

Examination of the skin, musculoskeletal system, mouth and nares revealed no obvious abnormalities. The animal was examined using rinsed latex powder free gloves, to reduce the possibility of chemical or physical damage to the frog. There were raised opaque lesions situated centrally on both eyes, and ulceration as well. The frog had reduced eye reflexes, but would blink when the cornea was touched. The pupils were normal in size and shape and were symmetrical. Diagnostic testing showed a moderate number of bacteria but no fungal hyphae.

The diagnosis was bilateral corneal ulceration of unknown cause. Causes of corneal ulceration in frogs includes lipid keratopathy, bacterial or fungal keratitis, chemical trauma, corneal dessication, trauma or poor water quality. The water quality and husbandry of the animal at home appeared to be of good quality and was not felt to be a cause of this problem. It was decided to treat the eyes with topical eye antibiotics, and then recheck in one week.

Treatment was started with framycetin aqueous eye drops (Soframycin, 5mg/ml framycetin; Hoechst-Russel), one drop in each eye three times daily, and increased humidification of the environment.

At a recheck one week later the corneas had completely healed, and the animal appeared visual. It was catching insects easily in its enclosure.