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Dart Den

Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

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Some Ranavirus articles & testing
#81
"Kristy and I talked to Dr. Oz via conference call yesterday.
Here is a summation:

While there is evidence that there is ranavirus in private captive dendrobatids at this time, there is not enough known about these viruses in dendrobatids to indicate that it is a severe, immediate threat to individual animals. There is also some unpublished reports that the prevalence in the hobby is high. As hobbyists, the best way to address the issue is to have your collection tested for it as well as Bd (chytrid). There is a good chance that ranavirus has been circulating in captive frogs for much longer than people have been looking for it - so determine what frogs you have that are positive. If any frog in your collection (positive or negative) dies or becomes severely sick and cannot be treated successfully, then the frog should be sent off for necropsy/histopath to determine the cause of the clinical disease. Disease surveillance in dead or debilitated frogs is going to be key to understanding the importance of ranavirus in collections - as well as to look for other sources of disease.

After getting PCR testing results, you should then maintain your collection in a way to limit infections in naive frogs (although a negative test may just mean absence of active viral shedding). Use strict biosecurity protocols - work with negative frogs first, and then work with positive frogs, wash your hands, restrict movement of organic matter, etc. It is then very important to properly deal with new acquisitions - use strict QT measures, test new frogs, etc. There is a great publication that was the result of a workshop at the San Diego Zoo in conjunction with the ATAG, Zoo Atlanta, Amphibian Ark and CBSG that contains great information and protocols for biosecurity. It can be accessed for free here: http://www.cbsg.org/cbsg/workshopreport ... manual.pdf

Regardless if you decide to test your collection or not, hobbyists should be sure to disinfect all waste water and properly dispose of all solid waste to protect the environment and native amphibians from any potential infectious agents, not just ranavirus.

As for specimen submission, I would recommend Northwest Zoopath (http://www.zoopath.com/). Samples can also be submitted http://www.zooexotic.com/ - but I am not sure if either group works directly with the public or if you need a veterinarian to submit samples for you. Samples can be submitted to Cornell (http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/submission/). However, for Cornell, you will need a veterinarian to submit samples for you. I would love to have samples submitted to me at Cornell - but as I will only be here until June 30 - that may not be ideal. If I can find a way to organize a larger project - I will let you know.

Rob Ossiboff, DVM, PhD"


Thanks again Dr. Oz for your time and input.
-Beth
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#82
Hey Shawn,
Sports_Doc Wrote:Other then Beth, Glenn in Canada, and Justin who is same geographic area as Beth....

I don't know of other froggers who have published their Rana PCR testing results. Or even done them for that matter.

Does anyone else?
I mentioned before that I had a couple of friends test their collection and they were negative for ranavirus.

Sports_Doc Wrote:My suspicion is most of these 'pathogens' are only rarely a lethal concern. There are likely many dozens more that we dont know of yet, nor have a test for, so we shouldnt get all wigged out about these just b/c we can test for them now. What we need is more research about the true effects of these 'markers'.
While I agree with this (now) my ultimate goal will be to wean out any frogs that are positive for either RV or Bd. Having positive frogs is a PITA and a lot to deal with! I don't want two frog rooms with one being an isolation room. I am willing to work with the frogs for an undetermined amount of time. I would put viruses in a "moderate - high risk" category. The fact that they can jump hosts and mutate is the part that is the most worrisome to me...

Best
Glenn
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#83
Second set of 3 groups of import frogs. Rana negative.

Anyone else test?
Shawn Harrington
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#84
Vetdna---- nada! Good try though to a few out there. ; )
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#85
I can only speak for myself , but I plan on posting my full testing prosesses and results when testing is finished in full. Be back on that in awhile, not a day or two.

Also, anybody who "boasts" that their whole collection (being more than a frog or two) is 100% clean of any pathogen even after full testing is not too bright. Anybody who says their collection is 100% clean of anything after only one single round of testing is absolutely ignorant and not to be trusted with their test results.
But, luckily I don't know of anyone I trust professing either scenarios, ever.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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#86
sidney ferrell Wrote:Vetdna---- nada! Good try though to a few out there. ; )

Who was the 1st person to mention it here???
Or did you forget???

Yip, you forgot ...
What some see as death, others see as beauty.


Casper
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#87
Has anyone else tested the newest import for the virus other then then the person who had the positive test? As much as I'd love to be working with some of those (and pick up some more cauchero) I can't bring myself to take that chance right now. Has anyone else?
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#88
^ not that I have heard off forum Justin. It would be nice to know though, as some 600 frogs were on that import alone. Imports have been coming in for years and years, 1000's each year.

I think Jason's protocol of treating for Bd on all new arrivals is reasonable, and he/I and others went through that with the past Atelopus imports with success.

I just dont think a public forum is ever going to see honest testing disclosures.

I've reported on test results for batch tested, properly swabbed WC/FR pumilio from Feb 2012 [dorsum, ventor, and 'environmental' swabs]. Total of 28 animals.

I will be batch testing again next week.

It would be nice to see more report their findings.
Shawn Harrington
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#89
Sports_Doc Wrote:...I just dont think a public forum is ever going to see honest testing disclosures
...I've reported on test results for batch tested, properly swabbed WC/FR pumilio from Feb 2012 [dorsum, ventor, and 'environmental' swabs]. Total of 28 animals
...It would be nice to see more report their findings.


I'm confused by this ^.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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#90
and anyone can claim any level of testing and test results that they want. The point is, we still have to trust in all that.
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#91
I havent been on in a while so I didnt know this discussion was still going on. I have had all of my pumilio from these last 2 imports tested on 2 rounds. I have around 25 total frogs from Feb import, and May import combined. I can report that both rounds on all frogs have come back negative. Have we confirmed any positive testing yet? That is what I would be more interested in.
Will
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#92
Two hobbyists claim to have received positive test results for 'Rana'...they are self reported in the thread, I think...
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#93
Thanks Phil,I found one person with problems not associated with these imports but couldnt find anyone that is having rana issues from the pum shipments in question. I guess Ill have to go back and reread ho hum lol
Will
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#94
Will....I think you know the hobbyists involved by now, but just to clarify - one shipment came from the E.U and into Canada and they other was from South FL. The tests were done privately and the reported results must be taken at the word of those hobbyists.

Ranavirus, Chytrid, 'frog aids', 'nasties'....ALL have been in private collections all over the world for a long time.
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#95
of course I'm partial, but this is the best thread on Ranavirus and Glenn is most likely the hobbyist with the most current info on it.
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https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#96
an excellent thread even if most of the links didn't survive the latest website migration
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#97
(04-15-2020, 02:29 PM)Philsuma Wrote: an excellent thread even if most of the links didn't survive the latest website migration
They should be working now!
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