rant!! & Veiled cham ate substrate

[mrsjcdx3]

Ok. Don't judge! I am taking care of the substrate immediately... this is my first cham I've had her for three days, I got her from petsmart and they were "out of chameleon pamplets" and I did as I qas instructed by the employee which turned out to be a complete idiot.... she sold me a glass terrarium and forest floor substrate. Also didnt mention thermometers or humidity which I learned after I went back the next day and demanded a print out of a care sheet after going more in depth in my research and realizing how wrong this employee was after I brought her home. (Which I should have done before rather than trusting the employee) anyways!!! She just ate a piece of wood with the cricket. It was kinda long and skinny, should I be worried? I'm trying to find an emergency reptile vet if needed.. I hope she's going to be ok... I'm so frustrated that I was so ill informed

 

[carol5208]

Well yes, anytime they injest something that is not a real food item there is cause for alarm. Your chameleon obviously was able to swallow it correct? Sometimes they can poop things out, and sometimes not. I am most likely gonna assume that the "pamphlet" does not contain correct information on chameleon care so I doubt it would have mattered. I would wait and see how your chameleon does. There is really nothing a vet can do other than surgically remove it(I believe) if it does not pass and that might not be necessary. I can relate to your frustration as you are joining a club of many members who have been steered wrong by Petco and Petsmart. If you have any loose stones or anything else in your cage that your chameleon can swallow, remove them. I hope others who insist upon substrate in their cages will read this. Some people are just plain stubborn and defend it holds humidity and so on. This is a prime example of why we recommend NOT to have it. I hope your little one will be ok.

 

[mrsjcdx3]

Thank you so much.. she swallowed it just fine and is acting fine. I really hope she passes it. I also hope people read this and learn from my mistake!!! The pamphlet actually has different information than this site. Its for jackson and veiled which I understand are a bit different... my baby is about 6 months old and it says to have her basking spot at 95º. Eeek! I'm glad I went with my gut and saught more information. I encourage others to do the same!

 

[carol5208]

Well, you are welcome and have come to the right place to get on track. Nothing speaks louder than the voice of experience and there are many members on here to help steer you in the right direction. If your chameleon is gaping(with mouth open) under your basking area, then that means it is too hot. I remember there was a Jackson's on here and ate a piece of mulch and it was actually stuck coming out of its vent(butt). Now I cannot remember the outcome, but I remember seeing the picture of it. Someone also had one that ate a little pebble but pooped it out.

 

[Sargentstickytounge]

Wow I would be pissed to . I make some impulse buys but normally do my reasearch ahead of time. Dirt looks beutiful in a setup but unless ur gonna take ur Cham out and hand feed em it's not a good idea to keep that . I HIGHLY reccommend exo Terra's moss mat it looks really pretty is realitivly safe if ingested and just works the best .

 

[Sargentstickytounge]

also as much as people hate to do it these days READ trust me it helps a lot spend 10 or 15$ on a good Cham book and it will help you ALOT.

 

[carol5208]

Wow I would be pissed to . I make some impulse buys but normally do my reasearch ahead of time. Dirt looks beutiful in a setup but unless ur gonna take ur Cham out and hand feed em it's not a good idea to keep that . I HIGHLY reccommend exo Terra's moss mat it looks really pretty is realitivly safe if ingested and just works the best .

Doesn't it get yucky overtime with getting wet? When you say "relatively safe". What do you mean and how do you know this?

 

[junglefries]

Quick lesson: no substrate is the best substrate and also unfortunately the ugliest. you have to ask yourself? Do you want a healthy and happy cham or do you want a pretty terrarium to look at? It is a hard lesson to learn.

 

[carol5208]

also as much as people hate to do it these days READ trust me it helps a lot spend 10 or 15$ on a good Cham book and it will help you ALOT.

This forum is better than any nook you will ever read!