Ate Bark!! Help please!!!

OfficialChameleon

OfficialChameleon

New Member
Hello!

Alright, I know I am a junior member, so that means the senior and higher-ranked members are going to try to make me grief about this, or give me a hard time. If you really care for these animals (Chameleons) then help me and do not yell at me for the following problem I am already well aware and if you your read this WHOLE post you will realize how much so.



Yesterday When I fed my veiled chameleon (4 months) he got a large piece of Repti-Bark, now I know how chameleons do horrible with substrate and guess what, I just made him a 24", 24", 48", cage and a tree and vines inside.... but he ate this before that.... The piece was large, just big enough for him to chew, it took him good 3 minutes to swallow, after I was so frightened and believe he hasn't pooped since... I am so scared.... BUT tell me what I can do, I am well aware that a vet may be needed and if this is one of those things that a vet can fix but not I, tell me. Do not hassle me. Help me.
:( I am worried he has impaction I haven't seen him poop since.
 
If you think he has swallowed a large piece of bark, you need to contact your Vet asap. Impaction is deadly, and needs to be seen to right away. I would call a vet and see if he can get an X-ray of it, and go from there. Either way, get your little guy in ASAP!! Best of luck to both of you!
 
Hi

Tough situation for a small chameleon.
That it hasnt pooped since yesterday is not necessarily meaningful.
If the piece of bark was really large, and sounds like it was, then there is a good chance of it getting stuck. Even if it somehow gets through digestive track, I'd be concerned about a prolapse when it does try to poop. A vet visit is certainly what I would be doing, if it were my chameleon.

P.S. - its helpful if you make your thread title reflect the nature of the thread. for example, in this case including words like "ate bark"
 
Yeah it sounds like your little buddy may get impacted. You need to get the bark/substrate out of there ASAP, and get your little guy in to the vet as soon as you can!! Best of luck to you guys!!
 
I would say vet visit, already stated. It's not unusual for them to not "go" for a day or two. You could try a warm mist shower. This could stimulate him. But as said before impaction or a prolpase is a real danger.
 
Don't worry about being a junior member. If you get harassed, a pm to me and I will fix it. This forum is about helping, not pointing fingers. I also fixed your title. Please let us know how things go when your boy see's the vet. We will all be hoping for the best.
 
Hi!

It really sucks when you're trying to fix the possible problem and it escalates into a realproblem before you finish....

Obviously, I'm going to join in the suggestion that you get your baby to a vet.

I'm also going to highlight something sandra said because it's important. They don't poop every day. They don't always poop every other day. Adults might not poop every week and your baby is heading into adulthood fast, so please do not spend the weekend freaking out if you don't see him poop. Do watch for poop, because that would be a great sign and you could be very happy....but not seeing poop doesn't mean he's impacted.

Question for sandra (or someone else with experience): I've seen pear baby food suggested to stimulate the bowels. Is this a situation where that would be worth trying?
 
It is important to keep the chameleon hydrated. I dont know what your misting regimen is like but a good one to follow is 3-5 minutes, 3 times a day.

Also if your kid hasnt seen natural sunlight. If your weather permits. Natural sunlight is like a laxitive to some.
 
"Natural sunlight is like a laxitive to some."

Yeah....I've been keeping mine outside during the day for a few weeks now and they are pooping up a storm. It definitely does seem to get them in the mood.
 
I don't think any one would put u down ,and if they did they would be wrong,and if someone does there would be plenty of us that will back u up. So yes vet time in the meantime keep an eye out for poop if it goes poop before the vet get some rubber gloves and check squeeze thru it and c if it came out ,only do this if it goes poop before the vet.
 
Try not to worry too much but like everyone else said, find a vet ASAP!!

I have seen some amazing objects pass through the digestive tract of a
lizard w/o harming it.
I even had to pull a large piece of moss from the vent of a leopard gecko that was over an inch long and he was not bothered one bit.
It was just hanging out of his butt and he could not pass it.

It depends on if it gets stuck or not I guess.

You would think that in the wild, they would accedently snag all kinds of stuff!
 
Yay

Thank you all and guess what... I was planning on bringing him to the vet today, but when i walked into my room this morning I saw him releasing a great amount of stool :) I am feeling better and I am sure he is :p:D
 
Enjoy cleaning. Glad he is better. But make sure, the bark is out already. Might cause further problems if not.
 
Ulrich said:
Enjoy cleaning. Glad he is better. But make sure, the bark is out already. Might cause further problems if not.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with Ulrich... Im so glad that you are relieved but it is important to make sure that the substrate has been passed! Best of luck. Let us know when he is all clear:)

~A
 
Elizadolots said:
Hi!
Question for [someone with experience]: I've seen pear baby food suggested to stimulate the bowels. Is this a situation where that would be worth trying?
Click to expand...

I've heard of fruit or just extra water being suggested too, to stimulate defication. HOwever you'd have to be cautious of not causing the foreigh object to swell excessively - so it would depend on the type of imapction / reason for lack of poop
 
Seeeee! told ya ;)

Really though, take a close look at it to verify it is the offending piece of bark then give your cham a nice warm shower :)
 
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