Trying to work though impaction/constipation
Hey guys,
It seems like these Tegus run into more problems than a 90s Mercedes.
So, Sebastián had chewed up his temperature gauge beyond repair. Two weeks ago, I found his humidity gauge chewed up, but I couldn't find the inner part - the part with the metal facing and dial. I stuck with feeding him soft foods (eggs) but that Saturday he was literally chasing my feet because he wanted rat, so I gave him a small one.
After a week I took Sebby to the vet. His behavior and appetite so far hadn't been affected. He was a bit bloated, and weighed in at one pound heavier than normal. The vet said that at this point, the best thing to do is wait and see - he said I could get the X-ray but it "wasn't an emergency situation" yet. He felt around his abdomen - he said he felt something small, maybe the rat head, or maybe the thing he ate - but he didn't feel that it was dangerously big. He said he might just poop it out, but if his behavior changes, I would need to bring him back. So I took Sebby home and played the waiting game.
So far he is still acting and moving about quite normally. His appetite is the same, but I haven't fed him a rat in over a week, because he is still quite bloated. Been sticking to egg and soft meat. I bathe him twice a day. He pees twice a day, and once a day he actually makes some poop - small and not really solid. This leads me to suspect that he is only being partially impacted - some food is still getting though (which is good). Hopefully that thing is being slowly pushed out.
I know a lot of you have dealt with this and if passable, it takes time. I've just started him on a teaspoon of Mineral Oil daily. Is there anything more I could be doing for him? I massage his belly in the tub. Is there a specific method to that? Should I still avoid feeding him rat? Or could that just push everything on down??
Thanks :P
Oh also, I was wondering, do these Tegus throw up? Part of me wonders if that thing even made it past his stomach, and I wonder if he could simply regurgitate it. Can you somehow make one of these guys throw up (if it could help)?