In amphibians bacterial infections are commonly caused by gram-negative bacteria, such as Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Proteus, and E. coli. Aeromonas is the most common cause of clinical bacterial diseases in amphibians and has been associated with the syndrome known as redleg disease. Treatment will depend on the exact pathogen that has been cultured and definitely identified. The first thing to do, however, is to isolate the affected animal.
Acute septicemia can occur if warning signs are unnoticed or untreated.
Clinical signs may be brief and extremely rapid in chronology. Bloating, ascites, anorexia, lethargy, and sometimes open sores, may be noted shortly before the onset of convulsions and sudden death. Blood hemorrhages beneath the skin may be present up to several hours a before death or may appear immediately prior to or during the agonizing convulsions. Post-mortem lesions are consistent with blood clots in the veins, spleen, and liver. Culture of the blood and internal organs of the dead animal is sanctioned to determine the pathogen if it has not been already.