immediate help please

[beanersmysav]

Just now I was feeding my Sav a mouse, he's 2 1/2 feet, I was feeding with tongs to ensure he doesn't swallow some of the bark that was left in the cage i used it temporarily and i had to stop while removing it so there was still some under the carpet but some got above probably from him digging. i only used the bark for a short period of time but he's never even had the chance to swallow it somehow when he was thrashing the mouse around a piece attached to the back of the mouse.

long story short he swallowed a small cubic inch or less piece of coconut bark what should be done if anything?

(sorry for posting this on 2 forums but no ones answered on the var. forum and im a bit worried cuz its never happened before)

[silent_truth]

based on my own experience and that of many others, monitors are quite capable of digesting an accidentally ingested piece of substrate. However, of course this depends on the size of the animal, but since yours is 2.5 ft in length, he should be fine. Keep the basking temp up high and the coconut bark should pass through pretty easily.

Signs of impaction that I can recall are sunken eyes, clenched lower abdomen, lack of appetite. lethargic movement.

Like I mentioned, monitor lizards are quite tough. Built by nature to withstand many things. Make sure the rest of the bark is removed from the enclosure to prevent this from happening again and you and your monitor should be okay. Remember to keep those basking temps up high in order to aid digestion!

Goodluck and definitely pursue responses on the varanid forum to get some more insight into the matter.

-Adam

[silent_truth]

woops, double post by me. :eek:

[beanersmysav]

thanks i was hoping to hear something like that and figure it as well. Usually the temp goes down at night but his basking spot right now is at 110 just for the sake of helping him digest that bark. ive got the red light on him so he can still sleep.