When the ‘Toad’ was first brought to Blyth Wildlife Rescue, he was in a terrible state.
He was badly dehydrated, very weak, and had a large abscess-like infection at the end of his tongue (see photo opposite)
The infection in his tongue was probably due to the tongue itself being dragged along the ground, becoming cut and grazed, with dirt and bacteria entering the open wounds.
The tongue would have then became heavily infected, which also caused the Toad to loose a lot of weight and become unable to eat (Both Frogs & Toads require full use of their tongues to catch their food)
With the Toad’s injuries being so severe, and because the Toad would most certainly NOT survive without the use of his tongue, he was taken to a Vet at Ayres Veterinary Centre, who operated on the tongue almost immediately.
The Toad’s tongue had to be amputated, because of the extent of the infection.
The Vet also ensured that there were no other underlying injuries to the Toad’s mouth that might have caused this injury to happen in the first place.
The Toad was then Re-hydrated with fluids, and fed using a soluble solution added to the Toad’s bathing water, which supported the Toad during his recovery period.
One week after the Toad’s operation to remove his tongue, he was then weaned onto solid food.
Most Toads in the wild have a varied diet, consisting of Invertebrates (animals without backbones) such as Insects, Worms, Spiders and Slugs.
In captivity, at Blyth Wildlife Rescue, the Toad is given live foods, such as Meal Worms and Wax Worms, together with a water-soluble solution added to his bathing water. He is kept in a vivarium, consisting of a bathing pool and dry land, together with live plants and small hides for cover.
The Toad will have to be kept permanently in captivity, as he would not be able to survive without a tongue. He is therefore a long-term resident at Blyth Wildlife Rescue. |
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