Please Help my Ornate! Not pooping :(

[Sprout]

Hi there,

My frog hasn't pooped for around 10 days now, I've been giving him warm water soaks on a nightly basis but nothing has happened. I've noticed he is a lot bigger and firmer on one side than the other.

He feeds on locusts and crickets (gut loaded and dusted) and lives on coco fibre substrate, as far as I know there is nothing in his tank that he couldn't pass through.

Any suggestions on how I can help him? He seems quite lethargic and I'm pretty worried

[LilyPad]

I'm sure more people can chime in as I have never seen impaction before, but that's what it sounds like to me. With the bloat and firmer on one side, sounds like a classic case. I don't know how to solve it though, so hopefully someone else will help.

[Sprout]

Thanks!

Yes, it seems like something has gotten stuck but I really can't think what it could be, he's never been on moss and hasn't had a mouse for a month. His tank is always at 70-80% humidity and misted regularly.

[artes]

Try adding some honey to the water.

[Sprout]

Thanks! Would have never thought of that... I'll give it a try..

[artes]

If that doesn't work, hopefully someone else will pop on and give another suggestion.

[DVirginiana]

Definitely sounds like impaction. If he's acting lethargic and all, I'd stop offering him food for awhile. This sounds odd, but try massaging the frog's backside while it's in the warm water soak. I've seen this work on impacted WTFs before, so idk why it wouldn't work for a pacman.

[Sprout]

Thanks!

I tried two honey soaks yesterday and massaged the lump, it feels a lot softer now but still no movement. He doesn't seem so sleepy now though which I guess is a good sign?

[LilyPad]

Hopefully whatever is in there passes soon. Good luck!!!

[artes]

Sounds like a good sign. Keep it up!

[guppygal]

Poor lil thang - I betcha this is the ONE time you could scare the poop out of it ~

keep us posted -
kristi

[Sprout]

Hi guys, thanks for all your help and good wishes

He still hasn't passed but the lump seems to have moved down towards his bum and is still squishy. He seems to be trying to push it out also by twisting his back legs in a similar motion to shedding. Spends most of his time in his water bowl and I have been regularly soaking him with the honey solution and massaging his side.

Still quite worried that it hasn't passed yet, it feels huge.Poor ol' frog.

[John]

Is he still eating for you? It's possible he'll pass it on his own, but if he starts to go off food you need to get him to a vet. I doubt the honey will do any good but I don't see the harm in trying. Be careful if you are massaging him. Aside from his skull, he has very little real bone in his body, so massaging him can do him more harm than good.

[Sprout]

Oh no! I hope I haven't been hurting him more
Thanks so much for your response, I have been ringing around vets this morning to see if there is anyone who can help him. He last ate about three days ago, has been snapping at locusts but then gives up on trying to eat them. Crickets and worms are being completely refused!

[artes]

As long as you were massaging gently, its fine. The reason honey helps is because too much sugar helps most people go to the bathroom.

[Sprout]

Hi,
Saw the exotic vet today. I was advised to continue with the soaks and given some liquid laxatives for him. I've given him a dose today, took a while to get him to open his mouth and the poor little guy hated the taste!

He seems more perky now though despite the trauma!

[artes]

Awesome! ^_^

[LilyPad]

Oh good, I'm glad you got in touch with the vet, this has been going on for a while now!

[Sprout]

Yeah, luckily the waiting list wasnt too long! He's looking happier but still no poop!

[Sprout]

Yeah, luckily the waiting list wasnt too long! He's looking happier but still no poop!