Impaction help

[DVirginiana]

So, when you say the frog is impacted, you feel a lump in its side?

Also, you say the cloaca is pink/red. That could be just simple irritation, or it could be a very bad thing. A pic as soon as possible! (btw, if the pink/red color disappears before you can get us a pic, it was just irritation).

How big are these pieces of moss you're talking about? I don't recall seeing any large chunks in the setup pics you've posted... ANYTHING can cause impaction if enough of it gets eaten, or the temps are off (affects digestion). Some sensitive frogs can even get impacted from eating normal froggy food items.
If you can't even spot the moss pieces by looking, then they probably aren't large enough to impact the frog. It's just that sphagnum doesn't digest at all, and tends to come in long strings. The little tiny dust-like flecks the break off won't cause a problem if a few of them end up in the bedding accidentally...

My guess is that either the temps are a bit off (or fluctuating too much) or that your frog could just be sensitive. If caught in time, impaction isn't a huge health problem. My Trevor has a neurological issue that seems to affect her digestive tract. She can only eat nightcrawlers, and still needs almost weekly 'preventative' honey soaks. But she's otherwise healthy and fine.

[COOCOpUcHoo]

So, when you say the frog is impacted, you feel a lump in its side?

Also, you say the cloaca is pink/red. That could be just simple irritation, or it could be a very bad thing. A pic as soon as possible! (btw, if the pink/red color disappears before you can get us a pic, it was just irritation).

How big are these pieces of moss you're talking about? I don't recall seeing any large chunks in the setup pics you've posted... ANYTHING can cause impaction if enough of it gets eaten, or the temps are off (affects digestion). Some sensitive frogs can even get impacted from eating normal froggy food items.
If you can't even spot the moss pieces by looking, then they probably aren't large enough to impact the frog. It's just that sphagnum doesn't digest at all, and tends to come in long strings. The little tiny dust-like flecks the break off won't cause a problem if a few of them end up in the bedding accidentally...

My guess is that either the temps are a bit off (or fluctuating too much) or that your frog could just be sensitive. If caught in time, impaction isn't a huge health problem. My Trevor has a neurological issue that seems to affect her digestive tract. She can only eat nightcrawlers, and still needs almost weekly 'preventative' honey soaks. But she's otherwise healthy and fine.

The piece of moss was around 3/4 of an inch which seems quite large for her size. I used an Exo Terra Forest Moss, it came with two bricks that had to soak in water. Although there is a picture of a pacman frog on it, I do know that doesn't mean it won't impact them. It says it is good for amphibians and there are no dyes or chemicals. It says that it is completely safe for amphibians and burrowing animals. Also it says that it is grown in Asia. Can I trust this moss? Or should I put it down. Also I do not think my temperature changes all that much, I do consider my frog a rescue animal because she was very skinny at the petstore compared to now, so think she just might have some problems from past experience. From past experience, I had two fire bellied toads when I was very young and I kept them both in a ten gallon tank in the basement using this same moss and eco earth mixed. I did not use any lighting, or heating. I was able to keep them for five years before they died, and not once did they get impacted. So how come my Pacman can get so impacted so quick?

[DVirginiana]

The piece of moss was around 3/4 of an inch which seems quite large for her size. I used an Exo Terra Forest Moss, it came with two bricks that had to soak in water. Although there is a picture of a pacman frog on it, I do know that doesn't mean it won't impact them. It says it is good for amphibians and there are no dyes or chemicals. It says that it is completely safe for amphibians and burrowing animals. Also it says that it is grown in Asia. Can I trust this moss? Or should I put it down. Also I do not think my temperature changes all that much, I do consider my frog a rescue animal because she was very skinny at the petstore compared to now, so think she just might have some problems from past experience. From past experience, I had two fire bellied toads when I was very young and I kept them both in a ten gallon tank in the basement using this same moss and eco earth mixed. I did not use any lighting, or heating. I was able to keep them for five years before they died, and not once did they get impacted. So how come my Pacman can get so impacted so quick?

FBTs are different from pacman frogs. They are semi-aquatic, don't really burrow, and eat in a different way. Also, they typically live 10-15 years so there's a decent chance that something in their setup did cause early death. Not criticizing since it sounds like you were pretty young, just saying that it was probably detrimental to the FBTs in ways you may not have noticed at the time and that you probably shouldn't use that to make decisions about your current frog.

Just use eco-earth. It's the safest substrate as far as impaction goes. Honestly, as long as they can burrow pacs really don't care whether or not there is variety in their substrate. And if you think the frog is eating leftover sphagnum moss and becoming impacted, then clean out his tank and replace the bedding. Or feed him in a separate container.