Successful Induction of Metamorphosis in a Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dumerilii
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 7[1]:5 Jan/Apr'97 In My Experience (unrefereed material) 3 Refs

- On October 21, 1996 a banjo frog, Limnodynastes dumerilii, was presented, having failed to complete a successful metamorphosis. The frog was part of a group of tadpoles; the rest of the banjo frogs had completed metamorphosis by August 2, 1996. This frog weighed 2.8 gm, had well developed hind-limbs, no forelimbs and a tail. The frog was treated with 0.1 ug thyroxine once orally (36 ug/kg). This was done by crushing one tablet and dissolving it in 10 ml tap water, producing a 10 ug/ml solution. The frog was then administered orally 0.01 ml of this solution. On October 27, 1996 the frog had developed forelimbs and by October 29, 1996 the tail had disappeared. The reason why the frog's development was arrested at the hind-limb stage is unclear, but the additional thyroxine appears to have stimulated the completion of metamorphosis. There is no published thyroxine doses for amphibians. The dose used here was extrapolated directly from that used to treat dogs with hypothyroidism (20-40 ug/kg). Due to the small size of the frog and presumed higher metabolic rate, a dose at the upper end of the therapeutic spectrum was selected. No untoward effects have been noticed and the frog remains clinically normal.