Benzalkonium Chloride Treatment for Chytrid Infection in African Dwarf Frogs

Benzalkonium Chloride Procedure for Treating Chytridiomycosis in African Dwarf Frogs

by Jay Vance

IF you wish to try this treatment, here is the technique. This successful technique was developed in a scientific study done by Groff-1991, which you can read here (pdf file). I simplified it so that anyone can do it for their African Dwarf Frogs (ADFs).

NOTE:
If you are doing this technique, it is very important that all frogs in the same tank be treated, not just the ones showing symptoms. A frog can be infected by the chytrid fungus and not show any symptoms until it is too late. It is important as well that the tank, equipment and water be cleaned with bleach to kill any spores that remain in the water. This is done by using one tablespoon of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) per gallon tank water for 15 minutes and then discard into the sewer system. The tank and equipment are cleaned using a 10 : 1, water to bleach mix (20 : 1 for acrylic tanks) to kill any bacteria or fungi in the tank, and then rinsing with copious amounts of water with 10-20 times the amount of dechlorinator in it, to neutralize the bleach. Gravel and plants should be thrown away. The frogs cannot go back into this tank until their treatment is over and the tank has been completely cleaned, so as to avoid reinfection.

Things to get!

1. Benzalkonium Chloride (BC) at a 50% dilution.
This can be purchased on-line at National Fish Pharmacy.com or FishyFarmacy.com for $20 plus shipping.

2. Two measuring syringes (no needles needed).
These can be purchased at your local drug store. Buy a 60 ml syringe and a 1 ml syringe. If it says "cc", this is the same as "ml".

3. Distilled water (one gallon).

4. A container to store the final solution.

5. A few gallons of a Spring water brand, one that matches closest to your tank's pH. pH around 7.0 or higher is recommended. Do not use distilled or deionized water for the baths, as it is VERY soft, and can amplify the BC's potency to toxic levels.

6. A measuring cup that measures in liters.

7. A few containers for the baths, I used a 1 gallon bucket, and some new tupperware containers, which never had soap used on them.

8. A hospital tank allowing 2-3 gallons of water per frog.

To make a 1% solution from the 50% BC solution:

1.Take 49 ml of distilled water and put it in a container (I used a new clean travel shampoo bottle sold at Walgreens, it's empty, and never had shampoo in it).

2. Then take 1 ml of 50% BC. Put it in the container. Then you have a 1% BC solution. Clean out your 1cc syringe with distilled water after this to remove any residue of the BC.

The BC procedure for Chytrid in ADFs:

1. Take the spring water with a pH closest to yours, then measure out whatever amount you find easiest by liters (preferably 2-4 liters) and add it to your treatment container.

NOTE: Low pH or very soft water should be avoided when giving these baths, because Benzalkonium Chloride is more toxic in this case. If one has very soft tap water with pH below 7.0, use baking soda to raise the hospital tank's pH to 7.0 or higher, and then use a spring water with a pH of 7.0 or higher for the baths.

2. Heat the water to the same temperature as the water the frogs are in.

3. Add 0.2ml of the 1% BC solution per liter of water, by measuring it out in the 1ml syringe.

For example, I used Crystal Geyser water (pH 7.6 at the time), and did baths of 2 liters because that was the minimum height the heater required in the bucket that I used. I added 0.4 ml of 1% BC solution to the 2 liters of water. (i.e. 0.2ml per liter).

BC is much more toxic in soft, low pH water. If you have soft water with a low pH, it would be best to raise the baths' and hospital tank's pH to 7.0 with baking soda. If you treat with a pH less than 7.0 then a 1/2 dosage should be used.

4. Place the the frogs in the bath for 30 minutes.

5. Use another container with some fresh same-temperatured treated tap water as a rinse-off station. Place the frogs in that for a minute or two.

6. Then, place the frogs back into a clean, uncycled hospital tank, (at least a few gallons), with no substrate. Replace 100% of the water in the hospital tank after every bath.

7. Give 3 baths (one every other day over 6 days), then wait 8 days, and give 3 more baths (one every other day over 6 more days).

For example:
Days 1, 3, 5: Bath
Day 6-13: No Bath
Days 14, 16, 18: Bath

That's it! I was nervous at first performing these baths, but I've done it on 2 groups of frogs, and have had a good experience with the frogs thriving, and with no bad experiences.

We at Flippers 'n' Fins cannot take any responsibility if you wish to try this treatment, but we have had anecdotal success in saving African Dwarf frogs infected by Chytrid by using this technique. However, do this procedure at your own risk.

If you want to try it, and need assistance please post here, and we can walk you thru it.