the spread and containment of CHYTRID

mikeyd · #1 12-17-2010, 11:40 PM

i had a frog diagnosed with chytrid.. but, its dead.. along with 3 others..

a few were in contact, they are all being treated.

but a plant was in that tank, and then rinsed and transfered to an-uninhabited tank..

only for a day, then tossed ...

is that vivarium destroyed???

how do you know your frog room is chytrid free???

etuller · #2 12-18-2010, 11:13 AM

I usually only lurk on forums, but will try and answer a few of your questions. I am a veterinarian small animal/zoo, but not a whole lot of amphibians so some of the guys on this board may know more than me.

If you hold the tank at over 94 degrees F for 5 days it will kill the cytrid and the tank will be useable. some loss of plants will be expected.

The only way to be sure your collection is free is through routine testing by PCR of all frogs. Testing will get very expensive quickly. the next best thing is to make sure you dont introduce it. Quarantine all new amphibians at least 90 days and make sure to take care of them last and have no cross contamination of instruments or plants etc.

hope this helps

mikeyd · #3 12-18-2010, 11:33 AM

is there a way to test a viv, or any signs of infection on plants?

i dont know how to heat the tank that much evenly .. especially for 5 days i cant do that.

there was only 1 brom that went from 1 tank to another, everythign else was seperated...

and i really dont want to destroy this new viv.. its getting tossed inthe garbage before it gets heated to 94 for 5 days.

i know my dad wont let me do that even if i knew how. the hydro bill would be stupid.

momerath · #4 12-19-2010, 10:18 AM

You can not be 100% certain that there is no chytrid in your tank unless you heat everything as stated above, or completely break it down, toss all plants and anything that may harbor ANY moisture, and completely disinfect the tank with a quaternary ammonia disinfectant, or a VERY strong bleach solution.
All it takes is for one little spore to survive and it could re-infect your 'phibs.
After you've treated your animals you'll have to have them re-tested to be sure it worked. I hope you're keeping them in fairly sterile environment while you're treating them too.
Chytrid infections are a nightmare. I know, I'm in the middle of mass chytrid treatments for a zoo collection, including breaking down and re working ALL of the exhibits. It is not fun.

mikeyd · #5 12-19-2010, 10:43 AM

ok so if thats the case then everythings dead, im not paying another cent into this hobby...

as for my other two tanks that had frogs die in it.... theyve been out with nothing in em for a week na half, cleaned with hot water n vingear... not bleech

what about fruit fly cultures inthe room... there obvioiusly infected too right?

awesome, just absolutely great. back to lizards
peace out frogworld
u suck

momerath · #6 12-20-2010, 10:23 AM

Your FF cultures should be fine. They would have to come in direct contact with chytrid to be contaminated.
If the other tanks have been cleaned and completely dried out, then the drying would also kill the chytrid. It can only survive in moist areas, which is why the plants would not be safe to keep around. If you removed all plants and substrate and allowed the empty viv to dry out completely then you would probably be safe. You should contact whoever you got your infected frogs from so that they are aware and can treat their own animals. Frogs are great to keep. You just have to be careful with quarantining new animals, and even testing new animals if you can.