aquatic toad

Question
I'm worried about one of our toads it as ballooned up and looks fit to burst, we have noticed the odd worm in the tank and wondered if this could have something to do with it

Answer
Hi Karen1212,

If the worms you are noticing are small, thin and white then they are likely Planaria. Planaria can often be seen clinging to glass surfaces in tanks. They show up in turtle and fish tanks as well and feed on decaying food and such. They are considered harmless so should not be related to the bloating.

The only direct experience I have with (air) bloating involved a wild terrestrial toad that my vet believed may have been injured by a dog. It resulted in air leaking from the lung tissue into the body cavity and causing a similar balloon affect, also putting pressure on the other organs. Under her instructions, I lightly pierced the skin with a syringe needle (avoiding obvious veins) and released the air  once a day or twice if needed. Gradually, over the course of a week or so the leak healed, the bloating ceased and he was released. A veterinary book of mine describes a similar situation and treatment with a pet salamander although the cause of the air leak in that case was unknown.

If the toad is bloating with water then I'm afraid that I have no experience with that scenario. I know it can be cause by kidney failure and also by the use of distilled water. Distilled water should never be used with reptiles and particularly amphibians.