Help me please! (Prolapse)

[Hesh1212]

I went to go pick my tort up and then I notice a red looking cherry coming out of his butt... What is this? Tried whipping it off but I didn't really work. My tort is acting normal I just can't figure out what this is.

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Is it just poop that is stuck?? I can't seem to find anything on the Internet.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

RE: Help me please!

It looks like a prolapse. Do a search for it - there are lots of suggestions on how to treat it. Good luck!

 

[Hesh1212]

Help me please!

Ya it totally is that. I got him soaking in warm water and they told me to put sugar on it. It's looking like a need to take him to a rep vet :[

 

[kimber_lee_314]

If the soaking doesn't work - I put sugar on it - and then I wrap it in saran wrap to keep it from drying out. If it doesn't go back in - I would take him to a vet. He/She can carefully put it back in.

 

[Hesh1212]

Ok, ya I read your thread. Very very helpful. I have him soaking in warm water an I keep putting sugar on it. So you think I should put sugar on it and the wrap it?

 

[conservation]

I would take it to the vet asap.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using TortForum mobile app

 

[Hesh1212]

Trust me, I would if I could find one that is open... You guys on this forum helped a lot and other Internet searches did to. I also had a vet call me back and told me the same thing. If its not getting better I will have to take him on Monday, which scares me so I hope it gets better. Swelling has gone down so cross your fingers!

 

[CourtneyG]

No soak him in sugar water, sugar by itself can dry the organ out and that can be really dangerous. Move him into a smaller tank with paper towel in it and keep it moist in the tank with a ambient temp of 80F to 85F. When you are done soaking in the sugar water, rinse the organ off to prevent the drying sugar causing irritation. Aim to keep him warm and the organ wet, if it takes longer than a week you will have to go to a vet and have it stitched back in.

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Also make sure the sugar water soaks are in warm water around high 80s to low 90s.

 

[skottip]

Use corn syrup.
Works like a charm.
More than likely your tortoise was dehydrated.
Good luck.
Scott

 

[Jacqui]

Good news that the swelling is going down. With any luck soon it will be able to be retracted back into the body. He looks so very young to be having this happen. Would make me wonder if happened due to a lot of straining perhaps to pass a stool. Seems young to have it happen for other reasons (like parasites) Have you noticed any stools lately? What he is being kept on and what is he eating? Does he have a good appetite? This is the case where long long soaks can be helpful. If can safely keep the water warm, soak him in the sugar water for hours even.

 

[Hesh1212]

Thank you guys! I have him on a feeding schedule. The only days gets gets fruit is Wednesday as veggies on Sunday and then greens every day. The only fruits I've giving him so far are strawberries, blueberries, mango and a tomato a couple times, which I've stop doing now. Veggies so far are celery,cucumbers and soft carrots. He's acting complete normal and ate today . I have him in a smaller container with a damp warm cloth and keep putting sugar on it and then soaking him in warm water. So far I believe the swelling has gone down immensely. :]

 

[CourtneyG]

That is good to hear, but you should collect a fecal and have that vet check for parasites. Just to rule out what could have caused it. I am not sure on housing for cherry heads, but I think they need a humid housing, prolapse can be caused by a lot. Parasites, dehydration, improper diet, eating something that should not be eaten, and many more things.

 

[Hesh1212]

Courtney: That's a good idea and ill do that. I hope he is able to pass one tonight or tomo. If lot that will worry me even more!

If I put him in sugar water.. I read that's a bad idea because they should not be drinking sugar water.

 

[CourtneyG]

You are supposed to hold them, so the affected area is the only part in the water. Hopefully with the soakings the stool will be wet enough to pass easily, also is the little one dehydrated, do his eyes look sunk in the face? They normally bulge out of the head when you look from above their skull.

 

[deadheadvet]

Definitely rectal or cloacal prolapse. Needs to be taken to the vet to be reduced. They usually need to be sedated and a purse string put in to keep it from re-prolapsing. Can die if not corrected.

 

[Hesh1212]

It's gone! It went back inside! :]



He went through a lot yesterday but he is a champ! Do you think I should still take him to a vet even tho it went back inside? Like it completely gone.

 

[n3rdchik]

I am so happy for the little guy! I'd go if he doesn't poo well

 

[Hesh1212]

Thank you! And ya I'm going to keep an eye on him and may go in on Monday just to he safe. He's eating and acting normal :]

 

[theelectraco]

Has he pooped since the prolapse has retracted?

 

[CourtneyG]

The sad thing is if an animal prolapsed once they can do it again real easy, figure out what caused the prolapse and make sure to avoid it. If he prolapsed again you will have I go to the vet and have the organ stitched back in to prevent any further incidents. As long as he is eating and drinking you should not panic, one thing that is always asked here at the vet school, are they eating still, because that is the hugest sign of how sever the situation is with the animal.