BP ingested Vermiculite, please help

[mylostnick]

Hi guys,

I was advised by a reptile shop owner to mix coconut fiber with vermiculite to regulate the moisture in my BP's enclosure.
Today, while feeding my adult BP missed the rat and shoved some substrate into his mouth. I got some of it off with water, and took one piece of vermiculite off his teeth.

So obviously a mixed substrate is not a good idea.

Now I'm left with some worries:

- vermiculite toxicity
- vermiculite absorbing moisture
- potencial impaction
- other potential health risks

The more I'm reading about vermiculite, the more I am in panic.

Did you guys have any experience with vermiculite ingestion? Should I get a vet appointment?

[Homebody]

Should I get a vet appointment?

I wouldn't. From what I just quickly Googled, the danger comes from vermiculite that is contaminated with asbestos. Repeated or prolonged inhalation can give you lung cancer. The pure mineral is inert. I didn't find much about ingestion, but, in my opinion, the small amount of exposure that you describe doesn't warrant medical intervention.

[Bogertophis]

Approximately how many bits of vermiculite were ingested? Any guess? (What is the proportion of vermiculite to coco fiber in your substrate mix?)

As noted in previous post- I don't think it's digestible. The problem is that it swells (absorbs moisture) so it could contribute to an intestinal blockage if very much was swallowed, but if very little was ingested, I doubt there will be any problem. I personally wouldn't use it for substrate for a snake, though it's useful in gardening & I used it for years to incubate snake eggs.

If your snake acts strangely though, or seems constipated, or you just want to pay for professional reassurance before you actually see any negative side effects, you can always consult your vet.

If you need to find one that's qualified with snakes, this may help: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

[Armiyana]

You would be surprised at what a snake can manage at times. One breeder was using q-tips to hold the eggs in place so they don't roll during incubation...until one of the hatchlings decided to eat one. Snake was fine. passed the q-tip after much stress and guilt on the breeder's end. Breeder no longer uses q-tips in egg boxes.
That could have been a huge problem but thankfully was okay.

As mentioned above, a single chunk or two should be fine. It does swell but I don't think a small amount like a couple bits would be enough to cause that much of a n issue.
Thankfully the asbestos tinged vermiculite is not circulated nearly as much. Now my one concern would be if the vermiculite had an antifungal or antibacterial agent added to it, but hopefully being in contact with damp coco may have taken care of it, and again.... very small amount.

[mistergreen]

I've had to do safety inspections on buildings for vermiculite. Is it normal/typical to mix this with a substrate for any type of reptile? This is new to me. And a bit concerning.

[Bogertophis]

I've had to do safety inspections on buildings for vermiculite. Is it normal/typical to mix this with a substrate for any type of reptile? This is new to me. And a bit concerning.

This is the first I've ever heard of anyone using it mixed into substrate. I've used it for incubating snake eggs, but never in a snake's home. It's great for holding moisture, so their local reptile shop apparently got the bright idea...?

I have to ask...where does it turn up in buildings that you need to inspect for it?

[mistergreen]

Believe it or not, federal buildings. Its mixed in cement and used on beams as fire retardant. Ring any bells of olden times?

[Homebody]

where does it turn up in buildings that you need to inspect for it?

Apparently vermiculite is a very versatile substance:

What is vermiculite?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that expands when heated. Expanded vermiculite
has unique and versatile characteristics; it is lightweight, provides energy savings when used
as insulation, it is non-combustible, highly absorbent, pH neutral, inert, non-reactive to all but
very strong acids and compressible. These desirable characteristics allow vermiculite to be
widely and beneficially used in industrial and commercial applications including: packaging, fire
protection, refractory and high temperature insulation, loose fill insulation, lightweight concrete
screeds, plasters, friction linings, special coatings, swimming pool liners, animal feedstuffs and
horticultural potting mixes.

[mistergreen]

This is the first I've ever heard of anyone using it mixed into substrate. I've used it for incubating snake eggs, but never in a snake's home. It's great for holding moisture, so their local reptile shop apparently got the bright idea...?

I have to ask...where does it turn up in buildings that you need to inspect for it?

And the inspections were done to make sure it wasn't attached to any asbestos.

[Bogertophis]

And the inspections were done to make sure it wasn't attached to any asbestos.

Right, that's all I could think of. Thanks. I just never realized it's used in so many different ways.