Please Help my Russian Tortoise

[pippenfairy]

My female RT, Shelly, is about five years old. I just noticed something protruding from between her hind legs and under her tail. At first I thought maybe Shelly was actually a Sheldon, but after looking at many pictures and reading blogs, I think it is a prolapse intestine. I have attached a couple of pictures.
I have already soaked her in several warm water baths and have been keeping it moisturized with kayo syrup. I have also removed her from the substrate she was in. I'm afraid if it goes back in that it will take some of the substrate with it.
Is there anything else I can be doing for her? I have been concerned about the cost of a vet visit, so I need all the DIY advise I can get.
Thank you.

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm afraid there isn't any do it yourself relief for a prolapse. Your tortoise is a female, and this is a very serious problem. She definitely needs to be taken to a vet who is familiar with either lizards or tortoises. Just be sure to keep it moist. If it is allowed to dry out it dies and will have to be amputated.

 

[CourtneyG]

Sugar water helps remove serum and let's the swelling go down and sometimes it corrects itself but if it does not go in take her to the vet and have it stitched back in, but a sugar water soak will be a necessity for her.

 

[Jacqui]

Hoping the best for her. I just worked with one not to long ago and she did not make it.

 

[pippenfairy]

Hoping the best for her. I just worked with one not to long ago and she did not make it.

Thank you. I'm sorry about yours.

 

[Jacqui]

Thank you. Has the swelling gone down with the sugar water? If not, you really need to get her to a Vet, if you can't get it back inside. The longer it is out, the more likely it is going to start to die off and the less likely your tortoise's survivial. If there is no reptile Vet around, how about a Avian one? If money is an issue, ask the Vet if he/she will work with you on it.

Once you get it back inside, you need to know what kind it was and then find out what caused it.

 

[pippenfairy]

Thank you. Has the swelling gone down with the sugar water? If not, you really need to get her to a Vet, if you can't get it back inside. The longer it is out, the more likely it is going to start to die off and the less likely your tortoise's survivial. If there is no reptile Vet around, how about a Avian one? If money is an issue, ask the Vet if he/she will work with you on it.

Once you get it back inside, you need to know what kind it was and then find out what caused it.

Thanks again for the advice. I actually found a well known reptile vet close by, so I took her this morning. Her female reproductive organs were prolapsed. The doc was able to reinsert, and she now has four stitches along with some antibiotics. She couldn't tell me the cause yet due to the fact that they had to stitch so much up and wasn't able to safely get a fecal sample. They will do that Sat. I am very concerned as what caused this. I felt like a terrible caretaker.
The vet did get on me for using the sugar bath though. I guess with it being the reproductive organs, the sugar water was too rough for the sensitive tissue. I tried though.

 

[LeopardTortLover]

Wishing her a speedy recovery.

 

[CourtneyG]

Really? They use sugar water on prolapsed reproductive organs on reptiles and mammals.

 

[pippenfairy]

Wishing her a speedy recovery.

thank you

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Really? They use sugar water on prolapsed reproductive organs on reptiles and mammals.

I also did quite a lot of research before doing it too. It was suggested in like everything I read. I think she was just trying to make me feel bad. j/k

 

[Jacqui]

Glad she is "back together". Please keep us updated as to how she does.

 

[CourtneyG]

Silly vet saying silly things for no reason. I do hope she gets better, be careful if you ever breed her though.

 

[Laura]

have an xray done to see if she is egg bound...
I learned about sugar watching James Herriott shows.

 

[CourtneyG]

have an xray done to see if she is egg bound...
I learned about sugar watching James Herriott shows.

Got it from the books.

 

[pippenfairy]

Thanks again everybody for your support and suggestions. I'll keep ya'll updated.