Hair in tortoise butt

Status
Not open for further replies.

compassrose26

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
297
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
My baby Redfoot tortoise must have somehow eaten a hair, I'm not sure how. I promise I'm careful with feeding her in her cage and keep it clean and everything. It's currently hanging part way out and part way in and I'm really worried about her digestive system. Will it continue to come out and be OK? Is there anything I can do to help her?
 

guille24

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2013
Messages
854
Location (City and/or State)
wisconsin
Same thing happen to my red foot tortoise, I just pulled out [FACE WITH STUCK-OUT TONGUE AND TIGHTLY-CLOSED EYES]
 

compassrose26

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
297
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
Did it affect its digestive system? I pulled a tiny bit and she startled like it hurt so I stopped.
 

WillTort2

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2011
Messages
1,250
How long is your hair?

If short, it will pass through without problem.

Most of the info I've read advises to let it pass naturally.

Might feed some squash or pumpkin to speed the process.
 

compassrose26

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
297
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
Re: RE: Hair in tortoise butt

WillTort2 said:
How long is your hair?

If short, it will pass through without problem.

Most of the info I've read advises to let it pass naturally.

Might feed some squash or pumpkin to speed the process.

I'm not sure how long the hair is, I have long hair but it could be any length

Sent from my VS950 4G using TortForum mobile app
 

wiccan_chicken

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2013
Messages
336
Location (City and/or State)
Georgia
It's gonna feel funny. It shouldnt be able to wrap around anything but poop, it wasn't outside the intestine to wrap around it you know? I say I'd pull it out but you can leave it in unless someone else says otherwise. It will come out eventually.
 

jaizei

Unknown Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Messages
9,103
Location (City and/or State)
Earth
I wouldn't pull on it. I'd cut it off close to the cloaca and let it pass naturally.
 

mikeh

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Messages
1,050
I would let it pass on its own. If its long, though unlikely, you could possibly bruise the inside of her intestines.

sent from mobile device using TFO app
 

pepsiandjac

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Oct 2, 2012
Messages
519
Location (City and/or State)
Swansea UK
this has happened to mine a few times,i cut what i could off and the rest came out naturaly lol
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,484
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I pull those out. GENTLY. If there is was resistance at all I would just cut it and leave it, but this has never happened.
 

compassrose26

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
297
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
I tried pulling really gently one more time and she didn't object, it came out! I feel so much better and I'm sure she does too
 

TaylorJL

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2013
Messages
13
This same exact thing happened to my baby Sulcata! It freaked me out.
 

laney

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
803
Location (City and/or State)
Aberdeen, Scotland
Gently pull, if it comes with ease fine, otherwise trim the hair so it doesn't get caught and leave it to pass naturally.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

New Posts

Top