Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Question
Good morning.  We have had two red-eyed tree frogs for over a year.  Over the last few days, one has exibited some odd behavior.  Both have always slept high on the wall near each other.  Now, it sleeps on the ground and stays awake for a good part of the day.  Today at 12 noon, I noticied it trying to climb the wall of its terrarium without success.  There has been no noticable change in its appearance (weight, swelling, red leg).  It has been hunting and eating fine.  Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Jim,

I have to admit that my first thought was "Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good". I have always found that being awake during the day is a real red flag for Red-eyes which as you have learned by now are strongly nocturnal. Unlike other species like White's, that will often sleep on the ground, Red eyes are also quite strictly arboreal.
Unfortunately these behaviour changes are not indictative of any particular condition, everything from infection to old-age can prompt them.
The good news is the lack of colour change. Ill frogs are often dark and mottled. I would have thought that the inability to climb was due to general weakness but again, the continued hunting and eating is an excellent sign. Feeding response is usually the first thing to go with sick amphibians/reptiles.
Not being able to climb is a real stress producer for strongly arboreal animals and can go on to become the real problem rather then just a symptom.
Frogs also shed their skins, although not in the same obvious way as reptiles and my other thought was that something went amiss  with that process that is now impeding his ability to cling to surfaces normally. Are you able to keep up the humidity this winter in the tank? Has he contunued to use the water in a normal way? Have there been any changes to your water, like  water softening done? Does he appear plump, moist looking and well hydrated?
If he were in my care I would be tempted to place him in a humidity/rain chamber for a couple hours so see if that helped. Any small plastic cage that will hold a half inch or so of water in the bottom and allows you to mist it liberally will work. Of course, always use dechlorinated water as you should be using in the regular enclosure. I would try this in the evening, when he would normally be awake, to reduce the stress as much as possible.