Redfoot exposing himself.

[DanB]

My Redfoot make is a little over 3 years old and today he has been exposing himself for the past 4 hours. It's the first time I've seen him doing it. At first he was just under a fern but has since moved into his water bowl and had just been sitting there with it hanging out. I know they flash when they reach maturity but to do it for so long? Is this normal or should I have him looked at.

Nothing else has been out of the ordinary.

Dan

 

[Lyn W]

They do flash quite often, but usually only for a short while (at least in my torts case), so keep an eye on him in case he can't retract it, in which case he has a problem, and make sure its not a prolapse which can also be serious.
Can you post a picture of it?
I'll tag a few members with more tort medical/redfoot knowledge who may be able to help @Yvonne G @zovick @Tom @ZEROPILOT

 

[DanB]

 

[Lyn W]

If he has been like that for hours, I would give him a good soak and put him in a different tank/tub without substrate (maybe just damp kitchen paper) to keep it clean for now. Hopefully members who have dealt with this before will come along soon, but it could be that you need the help of a reptile vet. Wait and see what others advise.

 

[Lyn W]

None of the members I tagged are online at the moment but I searched and found this old thread which will give you some ideas.

Extended penis, won't retract

Any advice for a tort that has it's penis stuck out/inflamed. Vet can't see me until Monday.

tortoiseforum.org

It must be kept moist and not allowed to dry out.

 

[Lyn W]

The more experienced members still haven't logged on yet but they'll be here soon.
I hope all is OK with your tort.

 

[DanB]

He is staying in his water bowl so its staying wet. He pulls it most of the way in but not all the way.

 

[Lyn W]

I'm sorry no ones got back to you yet, looks like everyone's busy.
Is your tort still the same or has he managed to retract his penis?
If still the same and you've tried the things suggested on the link without success, I would see a tortoise specialist vet asap as this could be very dangerous for him and even life threatening.
I can only tell you what I would do without any advice from more experienced members and that would be to use fresh clean water to keep it clean. and then continue to keep it moist and maybe use plastic to cover it and stop it drying out on the way to vets.

 

[Lyn W]

I'll try tagging again in case anyone's available today.
@Yvonne G @zovick @Tom @ZenHerper @Jacqui

 

[Lyn W]

@TeamZissou I see you're online - have you any other advice you could add?
Thanks

 

[TeamZissou]

I would try Zovick's sugar method to try to get it to go back in:

Prolapsed Penis

I have a small tort, 4 lbs. he spends his days outside and his nights in the house. So I hold him at least twice a day, and while carrying him I rub and talk to him, point being I see all of him daily. So I bring him in, he's fine. Later I go in to turn off his basking light, his whole penis is...

tortoiseforum.org

Your tort could be impacted and may be doing this in an effort to make room pass a bladder stone, wood chips or something else he ate. An x-ray might not be a bad idea if it continues after you get his penis to go back in.

 

[DanB]

I kept him in a clean plastic tub with a wet towel on the bottom over night. This morning it's gone down in size a lot and just a bit is still hanging out. I'm going to be taking him to the vet today.

 

[DanB]

Have a appointment at 11:00 today.

 

[Avuwyy]

Good luck! I don’t have any advice, but hoping the vets can figure something out, fingers crossed. It is stressful when issues such as these suddenly arise.

Keep us updated! If you are recommended any methods of treatment by your vet, some of the keepers here might be able to give advice based on their own past experiences.

 

[DanB]

Doc gave him a good look, went over my feeding habits and how he is kept. Says it just looks like he is just having a hormone rage. They are going to sedate him and put everything back in. If it doesn't stay they make put in a stitch or two to close up the Cloaca some. He will be on antibiotics just in case because it got a bit scratched up from dragging it around and his back nails digging into it.

All in all he says he looks great and I'm doing a good job in feeding and housing.
More updates as they come.

Dan

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I haven't dealt with this myself. But I think @Yvonne G has mentioned a fix before.
If he were mine. I'd bring him to my vet. (As you have)
And yes. He looks exceptionally well otherwise