Cody ate plastic decor

[MeTree]

I've been super busy all day, so I haven't had a chance to post. I'll give you guys a quick update.

It's been almost exactly 48 hours since he swallowed the plant. He is alive and hopping, but he seems pretty stressed out right now. I removed all the small plants, and replaced it with a huge standing aquarium plant that he won't be able to swallow if he tried. I went to Petsmart today (a 55 mile drive) and got Cody some Morpani driftwood (actually found some, they never have it). He seems to appreciate the change in scenery.

And now to respond to y'all's feedback (which I appreciate).

hotnickles, I tried. Partially I was panicking, but the reason it got to that point was because Cody locked his jaw and wouldn't let go. I had him hanging, I was pulling, prying, and jerking near the end. If I could have removed it quickly, there wouldn't have been any need for me to reach over and grab my camera (which was 2 feet away, easily in reach). I just felt like I needed to take a picture of the plant in case me and Cody failed to remove it. After I was done trying to get it out, Cody himself tried. After opening his mouth as wide as he could and rubbing his tongue, he couldn't shake it off. Yes, I watched him swallow it. I was nearly in tears, but at the time I wasn't thinking that the huge damage it would cause on his system would be worse than the blunt force of ripping it out of his mouth. So no, I guess I don't look back too fondly on that moment.

Grif, I wish more than anything I could take him to a vet. I know your vet has worked wonders. Unfortunately, I really don't think I could start to pay a vet bill for an extraction like this. Also, there aren't any exotic vets within 75 miles of where I live, and the closest one is in a city that my mom hates to drive in. On top of that, I have to go on a week long high adventure scout camp that I leave for Friday. With all my obligations before then, I don't have a day I could go. It would be great if I could go to the vet, but I can't, if you understand.

I think that I am going to try what Ivan and Mike suggested and make the extraction myself. As horrible as that sounds, I'll try to work quickly and that will prevent prolonged pain, if I fail or succeed. I really need some pointers, though. First of all, I really would like some way to "knock Cody out" before I try anything. If it's a recipe, please be as specific as you know how to be. If it's a product, I guess still be as specific as possible. Knowing him, he'll just be chewing on the tongs in protest the entire time if he's awake. I honestly don't think the plant went very far into his intestine track. The lumps haven't advanced. Maybe there is still hope.

I'll make a last ditch effort to save Cody, probably tomorrow. He's been strong, and he deserves an attempt. Either way, tomorrow more than likely he'll either be lost, or rid of the plant. Hopefully the latter. I just need him asleep before I start. Any suggestions?

[NatureLady]

OMG MeTree!!! I am so sorry that this is happening. We all live and learn, so here is my advice. Be prepared for the worst, be quick, and Cody will protest greatly. If he is in great pain, which I would be, he may be easier to help then you think. Good Luck

[Ivan M]

May i suggest that perhaps you can get 2 popsicle sticks and cut them down and use a dremel to round the edges or sand paper, just round like the popsicle sticks were originally but made small, perhaps if you cant figure out a way to put him to sleep as you say, you can pry his jaw open with a butter knife or something pretty flat and place a downsized popsicle stick into his mouth so that he cant shut it, while you are holding him perhaps then you grab some lubricated tweezers and grab that plastic plant and gently slide it out, then remove the popsicle stick and let him be. i am wishing you the best of luck. They are pretty resilient, and since you are not a VET, i would be very afraid trying home remedies for anesthetizing. Best of luck, keep us posted.

[froggycakes]

i have to agree my girlfriend and i were reading your post and she literally started crying. we hope all goes well for you and cody, keep us all updated

[DVirginiana]

I'm so sorry for you and your frog

For the 'surgery'... I've seen home surgeries successfully performed on goldfish using clove oil as an anesthetic. It's tricky, because clove oil is also used to euthanize frogs and fish. So you might not want to try that unless someone has any ideas for dosage. Just tossing ideas around. Sad as it is, I would recommend having some clove oil on hand anyway in case things start to go bad. Hopefully it won't come to that though.
It might be good to find a partner to help you. Maybe someone to hold the frog still and keep it from injuring itself so you can have both hands to work.


Good luck, and keep us posted! I don't post often, but I stalk the forum a lot and I've been watching this thread and sending you guys good vibes since it came up!

[GrifTheGreat]

I'm so sorry for you and your frog

For the 'surgery'... I've seen home surgeries successfully performed on goldfish using clove oil as an anesthetic. It's tricky, because clove oil is also used to euthanize frogs and fish. So you might not want to try that unless someone has any ideas for dosage. Just tossing ideas around. Sad as it is, I would recommend having some clove oil on hand anyway in case things start to go bad. Hopefully it won't come to that though.
It might be good to find a partner to help you. Maybe someone to hold the frog still and keep it from injuring itself so you can have both hands to work.


Good luck, and keep us posted! I don't post often, but I stalk the forum a lot and I've been watching this thread and sending you guys good vibes since it came up!

Clove oil kills frogs D.

[MeTree]

At this moment I really don't want to go into all the details, but Cody is no longer in any pain. After the extraction failed, I felt like there was too much potential internal damage. I decided it would be best for him if I take matters into my own hands, which I did humanely, you all can be certain. He will certainly be missed. RIP Cody.

I really appreciate the forum coming together and trying to help me get through this. You guys are all awesome.

[DVirginiana]

Sorry to hear that Poor little guy. At least he had someone willing to really try for him.

Clove oil kills frogs D.

I know, the only reason I threw that out there was because I've seen it used to anesthetize fish for home-surgeries, even though it's typically used to euthanize fish as well. Does it effect frogs differently than fish for these purposes? Just wondering.. It'd be good to know.

[MeTree]

Thanks everyone for all your support! It really means a lot!

Ivan, I like your idea with the popsicle sticks. I have popsicle sticks similar to what you are talking about. I'll have to get some cleaned.

DVirginiana, I appreciate the post. I am aware that many people use Clove oil before they euthanize there fish. Usually, the Clove oil is only meant to put them to sleep, followed by another agent after they are asleep. I need to get some anyway to have on hand. I may look a little bit further into a water/clove solution.

Hopefully I can finish this one way or the other today. I almost think this is putting me through as much stress as my poor Cody.

[Eel Noob]

Poor frog. Doesn't look good at all. Not to be an *** or anything but are you afraid of the frog? Because if it was me I would of grabbed the plant with my fingers and if needed use the tweezer to pry it's mouth open to keep it from swallowing, wouldn't care if the frog bit my fingers in the process.

[Arie]

I don't know if you can get some, but when I was doing research for my thesis with fathead minnows, I had to anesthetize them using MS-222 or Tricaine Methanesulfonate (sometimes marketed as Finquel). Apparently this anesthetic is safe to use in leopard frogs as well. I'm not sure how pacman frog physiology compares, but I think the stuff is safe (in the proper dosage) for any cold-blooded critter. You basically mix up the solution in water, plunk them in the stuff, wait for them to fall asleep and then you are good to go. My minnows needed a solution of 185 micrograms/Litre while leopard frogs are usually dosed at 200 mg/L or less. It's a big risk, but if you've exhausted ALL other options, this might be a last-ditch effort...

Another possibility might be to massage it out? I know of someone who's axolotl swallowed some rocks that couldn't pass. The vet said surgery was not a viable option because of the damage it would cause. Likely the axie would not recover and so they were sent home. The person massaged the axolotl's belly to force the rocks upward. When the rocks were in view, they were able to reach in and pull them out.

This is a really sad situation and I really really hope Cody recovers!! My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Good luck!

[GrifTheGreat]

DO NOT PLACE A FREE PIECE OF POPSICKE STICK IN HIS MOUTH WITH NOYHING TO SECURE IT LEST HE SWALLOW IT AS WELL!!!! You need someone to assist you Stanton. You it would not be a good idea to just have a piece of popsicle stick sitting between his jaws. He could easily slap it down and possibly swallow it too. Have someone help open his mouth.

This will not be an easy task at all. Do your best to remove it with out harming him further. You're both in our thoughts.