Help! Fire-Bellied Toad Ingested Rock!

[Ichthyostega]

I am aware that gravel is not the most suitable substate for fire-bellied toads, but that is what I have to work with.

Anyway, I saw my fire-bellied toad swallow a rock. It was probably one centimeter long. I think this would occupy his entire stomach space, and therefore stop him from eating. What can I do? I cannot make him vomit the rock, so I need a way to help get rid of it. I don't know if taking him to the veterinarian would work. Hopefully, he will excrete it from his anus (though that is unlikely). If not...

 

[Ciddian]

I am unsure if he will be able to bring the rock back up. I know frogs are a eat first ask questions later type of things. But i have seen them bring up things they didnt wish to eat, such has bad tasting bugs and such.

I do hope he will be okay..I am sorry i dont have very good advice..

 

[Jennewt]

In theory, a vet could anaesthetize the toad and remove the rock from its stomach. You'd have to find a vet willing and able to do it. You can find herp vets on several state-by-state listings, and those lists are linked from this page:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/faq/FAQhea.shtml
If you are unable to go that route, the only thing you can do is wait and hope that the rock gets out one end or the other. Please let us know what happens.

 

[keechoo]

This is why I'm so adamant about tellting people not to use gravel unless you have fish. Hopefully, it is small enough for him to pass. I have heard of people giving drops of mineral oil directly into frogs/toads mouths to help ease the passing but have not heard of anyone doing it with an FBT. I'm sorry I don't have any other suggestions for you. Good luck and I hope it passes through!

 

[Ichthyostega]

I have not seen what happened, as he hides inside his cave most of the time. However, is it still possible to take an X-ray image of him to see the pebble he swallowed and see what the vet can do?

The frog is still alive and squeaking occasionally, and has eaten, although I hope the meals don't rot in his stomach instead of passing, although I sincerely hope the pebble has been excreted.

I am considering changing the substrate. How would filter mat work? Would the Eco Earth from ZooMed work too?

I couldn't take him to the veterinarian due to money constraints. How much does it cost to take a frog to the vet?

 

[Jan]

I have not seen what happened, as he hides inside his cave most of the time. However, is it still possible to take an X-ray image of him to see the pebble he swallowed and see what the vet can do?

The frog is still alive and squeaking occasionally, and has eaten, although I hope the meals don't rot in his stomach instead of passing, although I sincerely hope the pebble has been excreted.

I am considering changing the substrate. How would filter mat work? Would the Eco Earth from ZooMed work too?

I couldn't take him to the veterinarian due to money constraints. How much does it cost to take a frog to the vet?

Yes, if you went to a vet the stone could still be detected by either x-ray or ultrasound. If the stone is still there, surgery might be needed but other procedures might be tried.

How does the frog act? Normal or is it lethargic....meaning sluggish, not moving, etc. Is it eating normally or just barely?

What does its belly look like? Is it normal size or is it distended and bloated? Can you feel a hard or large object in its belly? If such a small animal consumed a 1cm rock - it should be minimally producing these problems....especially in that the occurence was more than a month ago.

If none of these problems are occuring, it is possible that the stone passed. The only way to know for absolute certain, however, is to take the animal to a vet. Regarding cost, it would depend on what the vet found and the procedures that would need to be done. You could always call the vet (preferably one experienced with amphibs)to get a rough idea of cost.

Regarding substrate - I don't know what a filter mat is...if it is a rough surface you don't want it. However, reconstituted Eco Earth compressed blocks would be fine as a substrate - you need to get rid of the gravel or cover it with substrate to the point the animal cannot ingest when feeding.

 

[Ichthyostega]

Yes, if you went to a vet the stone could still be detected by either x-ray or ultrasound. If the stone is still there, surgery might be needed but other procedures might be tried.

How does the frog act? Normal or is it lethargic....meaning sluggish, not moving, etc. Is it eating normally or just barely?

What does its belly look like? Is it normal size or is it distended and bloated? Can you feel a hard or large object in its belly? If such a small animal consumed a 1cm rock - it should be minimally producing these problems....especially in that the occurence was more than a month ago.

If none of these problems are occuring, it is possible that the stone passed. The only way to know for absolute certain, however, is to take the animal to a vet. Regarding cost, it would depend on what the vet found and the procedures that would need to be done. You could always call the vet (preferably one experienced with amphibs)to get a rough idea of cost.

Regarding substrate - I don't know what a filter mat is...if it is a rough surface you don't want it. However, reconstituted Eco Earth compressed blocks would be fine as a substrate - you need to get rid of the gravel or cover it with substrate to the point the animal cannot ingest when feeding.

The frog is doing fine. He's eating fine, and isn't very lathargic, and, as I said, makes the occasional squeaky call. I picked up the frog and tried to feel his belly. He wasn't too cooperative, so I couldn't feel his stomach long enough to discern something. He has eaten a cricket today.

Since this baby pacman frog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VtqnV5mHOQ&feature=channel) is kept on a white and wet filter mat, I have asked if that could work. By the way, where can you get that stuff? But I have Eco Earth, so I will either coat the gravel or replace it. The former seems easier.

EDIT: Whoah, I didn't know posting a link to a YouTube video would have the video be displayed in the post.

 

[BARAKA]

Theres no need for that foam ****. It will just give bacteria a place to grow if not change at least once a week.
Just ditch ALL of the gravel, put in some cocfiber and put in a small waterbowl.
Its the best solution for your problem.