External application of antibiotic to improve survival of adult laboratory frogs (Rana pipiens).

Survival data for over 500 adult frogs (393 Rana pipiens, 35 Rana clamitans , and 97 Rana temporaria) obtained from commercial suppliers were accumulated. Frogs which developed signs of red-leg disease while being kept in 0.15% saline were cured by addition of appropriate antibiotics to the saline. The appropriate antibiotic was determined by sensitivity testing of bacteria isolated from the sick frogs. When many frogs in a shipment were sick, prophylactic treatment of the entire shipment improved the overall survival in the shipment.