Young chameleon ate repti-carpet!!!Is he okay?

[reptileguy112]

Hi, I got my veiled chameleon at the reptile show along with a big rock thing, and some repti-carpet.It was feeding time and he bumped in to the cricket but his tongue but it slid past and he ate some repti-carpet.Will he be able to digest or do I need to bring him to the vet.This JUST happened.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Hi, sorry this has happened.

Ideally, there should be nothing on the floor of your cage, apart from maybe some paper towels to catch any water. Any substrate, be it repti-carpet or mulch/dirt is bad for chameleons, as if they do ingest it, it can cause impaction.

My advice would be to keep an eye on him for the next 24 to 48 hours. If he poops okay, hopefully he should be fine. If not, I would recommend the vet, as impaction can be fatal.

Hope he's okay.

 

[reptileguy112]

Ok, are there any tips for better digestion like warm up the cage or something??

 

[ZiggyStardust]

How old is your chameleon?

The reason that I ask if he/she is young, then they need a basking temp lower than that for an adult. Species plays a part in this as well, as different species, such as Jacksons Chameleons, need slightly different temps to something like a Veiled.

 

[reptileguy112]

I dont know for sure.He is about 4 to 4.5 inches snout to vent.He hasn't gotten his color yet.He looks like this.....

 

[reptileguy112]

Here is an actual pic of him in my persimmon tree.....

 

[laurie]

Just let us know when he poops and how he is. Do you know how much of the carpet he ate?

 

[reptileguy112]

About as much carpet as the size of a cricket.I guess its loose.I will post pic of poop later

 

[laurie]

Ok, we will just wait til me poops. I think all will be fine.

 

[reptileguy112]

This isn't the "freshest" poo because its a little dried up but its better than nothing.I will post pic of new poo if he has pooped by morning.He tends to crawl into his water dish and then poo.

 

[reptileguy112]

Does it look okay?Looks mostly urine white stuff.