Asking for Help with Toad Illness. Asymmetrical lungs?

[Pianosa]

Hello, I hope you're all doing well.

I have a 1inch Spadefoot toad named Paul, more specifically I believe he is a Mexican Spadefoot toad. He's around 2.5 years old and was raised from a tadpole. I'd say I'm pretty new to looking after a metamorphosed amphibian. I've called vets in the area and it seems that there aren't many amphibian experts, I was directed online to a conservatory facebook page but I felt this was more appropriate to try first.

He unburied himself this morning and it seems he is suddenly asymmetrically built (he was asleep for a few days which is normal). He's having issues floating evenly and swimming, and it is quite clear that one of his sides is not as puffy as the other. My last picture of him was 10 days ago and he looked fine as much as I can tell. He hasn't eaten this morning, but this isn't terribly uncommon, he only eats maybe 2-3 small mealworms every other day, every so often he eats only 1 or abstains. He is also leaned toward his contracted side. He seems to be breathing normally as far as I can tell. He also seems to be attempting to move normally though he is wobbly due to his now asymmetrical side. Attached below are two images comparing his change in appearance. If more photos need to be taken at better angles / lighting, please let me know.

I believe this species is mainly nocturnal, and can burry themselves for long durations which is so far what I've observed. It's a little worrying not seeing him for weeks but one morning he's just there again.

My setup : I have a 50gal tank filled with soil from his native environment which is clay-sandy soil. I've been doing research and have started using Reptisafe water conditioner, Zilla vitamin food spray, and fluker's calcium to dust small mealworms. There are plenty of stones, soft sand to dig, branches, and places to hide. I haven't gotten a heat lamp, typically they live in cool high desert nights, so I wasn't sure if it was a high priority (please correct me if this is not correct thinking). He has a small plastic container which I have made flush with the soil, I fill it with water to provide a soaking area and just enough sediment to allow for soaking.


From looking online it seems it could be a lung infection (protozoan or bacterial), or perhaps impaction? I'm looking to switch from mealworms to wax worms as I've read online that they're softer worms but I only read that recently and I haven't yet.

Any help is truly appreciated, if anyone could identify what is most likely wrong I would be eternally grateful. And if there are any tips on how to cure this ailment of his and improve his environment I would love to hear it.

Thank you for your time

 

[nickolasanastasiou]

That animal is rather cute.

If you can, please provide a photo of it floating in water so we might see the limbs more extended without using manual force to do so. A "natural" and relaxed extended position, if you would.

As general advice on this, do nothing for now aside from care/environmental/nutritional support. Medical intervention attempts with the visual information involved as of now are more likely to do more harm than help. Also, as much as I respect a great many veterinarians for their services, the vast majority would be out of their element on this even if some accepted an appointment.

This may be a defect occurring during growth, something temporary, or what have you. Keep providing general support and keep observing for now. These animals have superior healing and regenerative processes compared to so many others, so if there is problem to solve that can be solved, its body likely has a better shot at doing it itself than an external party's attempts at assistance. Exceptions being things like parasites and pathogens, of course, but I do not think there is enough information available to make a meaningful conclusion on those with what has been shared.

 

[Pianosa]

He is very cute!

I'll give you a picture of him naturally floating in water. He is still looking not quite right but he can float. I've been giving him warm soaking periods with electrolytes and a drop of honey for <15 minutes (I have been making sure the glass isn't hotter than the water and that the water isn't too hot). He did eat the other day, but then refused food the next day, and I'll try and feed him once his soak is over. I did get him a uva/uvb light, but only after I noticed his issue.

He has been sleeping in his water dish both when it was filled and empty, is that cause for concern?

I have attached three photos, one of him floating naturally, one of his belly, and one of his posture head on to showcase his asymmetry.

 

[nickolasanastasiou]

Yeah, there is definitely something wrong with it. The skin on the lower area looks "eaten" and partially regenerated and those nodules or granulomas seem out of place. I have no way of telling what is causing that, but my first guess would be some kind of soil bacterium that has invaded. Might be something normally present, but conditionally opportunistic.