Chameleon Just ate Wood Substrate

[MikeLZ]

Hey there, just joined to ask a question.

My Veiled Chameleon was just hunting crickets, when he accidentally got some wood substrate with the cricket and he ate it. I have realised the problems of this, and was just wondering what action I should take? He seems okay at the moment.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Mike.

 

[Julirs]

This is exactly the reason people say NO substrate. Hopefully if it was not too big he will pass it.

 

[Warrix642]

You should research chameleon husbandry on here and re-do your set-up. I'm guessing if you have substrate there are other issues too...

 

[MikeLZ]

Okay people I have realised the mistake of the substrate, but I have just come on here for some advice on what to do to hopefully help him pass it, not to be constantly told I was wrong. I'm changing the substrate Asap.

 

[ChromaChameleons]

First , remove the substrate. Secondly, make sure your cham has lots of basking heat to aid in digestion, hoping the wood chip might break down a little in the gut. Third, monitor your chams eliminations, to see if the wood chip passes. Fourth, strongly consider a vet visit.

A vet may elect to administer some kind of lubricant , orally such as olive or castor oil. This can be risky , as any oil could make the chams digestive tract so coated , that no nutrients digested would be absorbed for days or weeks. Do not attempt this on your own.

How big a piece did your cham ingest?. If it was relatively small and easily swallowed , you may have no issue , if the piece passes on its own.

 

[Warrix642]

Okay people I have realised the mistake of the substrate, but I have just come on here for some advice on what to do to hopefully help him pass it, not to be constantly told I was wrong. I'm changing the substrate Asap.

Give him lots of fiber and prune juice...J/k What I would do is give him extra water and I wouldn't feed a lot of food until he passes it.

 

[Pure]

You are new here. No one is trying to beat on you. We just want to make sure your cham has the best possible care.

So please fill this out in as much detail as possible, that way we can see if there are any other issues that may need to be addressed.


Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

 

[MikeLZ]

Okay the bit was relatively small, and he broke it up into smaller bits while chewing. This afternoon he's ate some crickets, and I've removed the substrate. He has a water supply, and a basking spot.


Cage Type - Exo terra- Large and vertical,
Lighting - Exo terra UVB's and heat lamp
Temperature - I've got an adjustable monitor for the bulb, during the day the hottest temp is 84 and at night 74.
Humidity - Spray 3 times daily and a waterfall
Plants - Exo terra plastic plants
Placement - On a desk
Location - South England, Near the Coast

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - We've had the Chameleon a couple of weeks now, We rescued him. he's around 2 years old and has Calcium Deficiency- The Vet has told us what supplements to add etc. We didn't give him the deficiency, the previous owner didn't look after him.
Handling - Handled Daily, put in a house plant which he climbs and basks on.
Feeding - Crickets, Locusts, and various worms- only once a week for worms. Feeding fruit to the crickets and locusts, worms are usually on bran.
Supplements -All done by the Vet
Watering - Waterfall (Cleaned out twice weekly), and bottle spray 3 times daily.
Fecal Description - Well Urate looks yellow and normal, and so doest he brown stuff
History - Previously uncared for, Calcium Deficiency as a result, wasn't very tame when he got him, but hes since got much better!
Current Problem - Seen eating Wood Substrate


Thanks for all the helpful answers! I just hope he's alright.

 

[justjumpit621]

Normal urate would be white, not yellow. He is probably dehydrated. Have you seen him drink? also, how big of a piece of substrate was it?

 

[jake01]

Waterfalls aren't recommended, as they are a breeding ground for bacteria and could lead to health probs. down the road (unrelated to the substrate issue).

 

[MikeLZ]

The Waterfall is cleaned twice a week to prevent the bacteria. At the moment he seems to be basking, and no obvious signs of illness. Lights out in a couple of hours.

 

[Chameleonboy]

Good luck, I guess all you can do is to wait. Were not here to pick on you were all here to help. I would ditch the waterfall if I were you.

-Clemonde

 

[draetish]

I'm new to this forum too and I felt like everyone was knocking me too. Some will Some won't and Some will give you sound advice. Ignore the rude remarks, this is a good place to get alot of information. Good Luck!

 

[kinyonga]

I'm not a vet...but maybe giving it soft foods like waxworms and silkworms for a couple of days and maybe pear babyfood would help it pass through??

 

[MikeLZ]

Well for the moment he seems fine, hes sitting up high near the basking light,and there doesn't seem to be any problems. Just pray he'll be okay.

 

[Pure]

Unless you run bleach water through the waterfall as it's running, there is next to no way to ensure you are cleaning it good enough. And it would need to be done almost daily. The problem with using bleach is, it can be difficult to completely clean out of the water fall's motor and internal tubing. This can be dangerous for your cham. This is also why it's just recommended to forgo the waterfall all together. With your mistings, it's not even really needed anyhow.

His urate description does sound as if he may be a tad dehydrated. Have you seen him drink? I know in your enclosure drainage is an issue so, try misting him enough that he gets wet, wait a few minutes, then come back and mist him for about 30 seconds. Repeat this 3 times a day. Also add a dripper, just put a bowl in the bottom to catch the drips, and remove it every night at lights out. Replace the bowl with a fresh clean one every day.

The hydration issue is important, even more so now that you know he needs to pass a piece of wood. Dehydration is only going to impede this. I agree with Kinyonga that feeding him some "wet" bugs should help move things along and help with his hydration.

For your lighting, you need to be more specific about what you use. You should be useing a reptisun 5.0 linear tube type UVB, and for a basking lamp, all you need is a common household incandescent light. Nothing fancy is needed. You mention about your light dimmer and from what you are saying, I take it you are just dimming the lights at night? If so, stop. Unless your house gets below 55F the cham doesn't need any extra heat. If it does, then either heat the room he is in or use a ceramic heat emitter made for reptiles. Just do not use a light of ant sort. It will eventually cause him stress that can lead to health issues. Chams need it dark, and yes they can see red light.

You need to give us exact specifics of your supplementation. This means brand and how often you administer it. No offense to your vet but very few have a clue about chams.

 

[jojackson]

I would discontinue feeding for a week or so (unless its emaciated) and ensure it drinks plenty. check its poo.
Keep an eye on it, if it appears to be straining to poo, please see your vet.

 

[Chameleonboy]

Well for the moment he seems fine, hes sitting up high near the basking light,and there doesn't seem to be any problems. Just pray he'll be okay.

Im glad to hear that. Keep us updated with his progress. If he passes it I would like to see a picture of his feces if you can do that it would be great.

-Clemonde

 

[MikeLZ]

Well I woke up this morning and he seems to be okay for the minute, He's had a cricket or two and has been sprayed, so hopefully it'll be okay.

 

[justjumpit621]

I would discontinue feeding for a week or so (unless its emaciated) and ensure it drinks plenty. check its poo.
Keep an eye on it, if it appears to be straining to poo, please see your vet.

Jo said you shouldn't feed him for a while, so why is he eating crickets? Just because he looks okay doesn't mean he can't still get it impacted.