Red Leg is the common name for a bacterial septicemia that causes high morbidity and mortality in frogs. Commonly implicated pathogens are Aeromonas hydrophila, Proteus hydrophilus and Pseudomonas hydrophilus. These are by no means the only organisms implicated in this disease. The causative agents are normal water flora that are opportunistic when animals have been stressed. By the time the frogs are clinically showing disease, their condition is usually terminal.
Mortality can be particularly high in newly acquired or transported frogs.
Sudden death is very common. In less acute cases, frogs are lethargic and refuse to eat. Congestion and petechial hemorrhages are often present on the legs and ventral surfaces. Ulcerations may be present on extremities. Infected Xenopi commonly show ascites, skin discolorations and heavy mucous secretions with minimal reddening on the legs and belly.