Sulcata prolapse, euthanize?

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

Hello! I was sent here by Joshua Tree Reptile Haven. I have this young sulcata tortoise that was given to me as a surrender. It has a flat show and some pyramiding. Recently had it has prolapsed and I was advised that euthanasia would be the most humane option. However other people are saying that there might still be a chance to cure it. The problem I'm running into is I currently cannot afford a vet right at this moment. I was able to gather enough funds for euthanasia but do not want to euthanize if it's not necessary.

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

Hello! I was sent here by Joshua Tree Reptile Haven. I have this young sulcata tortoise that was given to me as a surrender. It has a flat show and some pyramiding. Recently had it has prolapsed and I was advised that euthanasia would be the most humane option. However other people are saying that there might still be a chance to cure it. The problem I'm running into is I currently cannot afford a vet right at this moment. I was able to gather enough funds for euthanasia but do not want to euthanize if it's not necessary.

This tortoise came to me with flat shell and pyramiding it's actually shown improvement. I am almost wondering if the shell structure is not impeding how fast the prolapse goes in. I brought him inside due to weather because I live in Indiana and he went under my bird cage and may have eaten some plastic pieces of a bird toy. And due to my financial situation I was going to surrender it to a rescue but they said it would be most humane to euthanize.....

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh poor baby that looks so uncomfortable

This is far out of my scope, but want to tag some members for you that will hopefully see this to give their opinion @Yvonne G @Tom @zovick

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

@

Oh poor baby that looks so uncomfortable

This is far out of my scope, but want to tag some members for you that will hopefully see this to give their opinion @Yvonne G @Tom @zovick

Thank you! I tried to tage them but I'm not sure i did it right.

 

[JoJosMom]

@Yvonne G @zovick @Tom @Markw84 can any of you give some input? I would hate to see this baby euthanized if it is not needed.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

@

Thank you! I tried to tage them but I'm not sure i did it right.

Do you happen to have photos of this tortoises side profile? I’m glad you’ve made your way here, you’ll definitely get some expert opinion

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

I will get one soon. I had a video but its not letting me upload them. But I'll get a side profile. I suspect MBD from previous neglect and wonder if his shell is hindering it from going in if its a sex organ. I'll get better pictures too. I'm in EST so ill get those around 5:30 EST

 

[Yvonne G]

First one needs to be a detective and determine WHY the prolapse happened, and fix that. If the cause isn't taken care of it will just happen again. . . egg bound, constipated, impacted, etc. Anything that causes continued straining maybe the cause.

The vet can push the swollen penis back inside, then add a suture to hold it in, but like I said above, it will come back if he continues to strain.

Rather than euthanize you might consider penis removal surgery. I had that done to a few rescues over the years. A tortoise gets along just fine without a penis.

In the meantime make a paste out of granulated sugar and gob it on the prolapse, then wrap his bottom to hold the past in place. The sugar will help reduce the swelling. Don't allow the penis to dry out.

 

[Yvonne G]

That really doesn't look like a penis. Is this tortoise maybe female?

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

That really doesn't look like a penis. Is this tortoise maybe female?

I am not sure on gender. But i thiught maybe female as well due to shape of protrusion. It got dried today when i was at work but i am soaking now to get it back moist

 

[JoJosMom]

That really doesn't look like a penis. Is this tortoise maybe female?

I was thinking the exact same thing! We will see what she says, I believe due to the size, it will be difficult to determine. It is a little one, but one that had very poor care. Shell looks identical to a few we have here. I do know that with others that are in this shape like Asha for example, when we first got her, she would strain to poop. I would have to put my hand under her back feet to give her something to push against to poop because of her legs laying down like they do with the Carapacial collapse. I would think if this was a boy, we would see the penis but this looks just like a bulge really. This is why we referred her here!

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

First one needs to be a detective and determine WHY the prolapse happened, and fix that. If the cause isn't taken care of it will just happen again. . . egg bound, constipated, impacted, etc. Anything that causes continued straining maybe the cause.

The vet can push the swollen penis back inside, then add a suture to hold it in, but like I said above, it will come back if he continues to strain.

Rather than euthanize you might consider penis removal surgery. I had that done to a few rescues over the years. A tortoise gets along just fine without a penis.

In the meantime make a paste out of granulated sugar and gob it on the prolapse, then wrap his bottom to hold the past in place. The sugar will help reduce the swelling. Don't allow the penis to dry out.

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

I was thinking the exact same thing! We will see what she says, I believe due to the size, it will be difficult to determine. It is a little one, but one that had very poor care. Shell looks identical to a few we have here. I do know that with others that are in this shape like Asha for example, when we first got her, she would strain to poop. I would have to put my hand under her back feet to give her something to push against to poop because of her legs laying down like they do with the Carapacial collapse. I would think if this was a boy, we would see the penis but this looks just like a bulge really. This is why we referred her here!

When I first got scooter she or he was much flatter and was constipated and couldn't walk but has had no trouble since. I honestly thought this was poop the other day that's why I didn't do anything and then I saw them eating and I was like okay no big deal then I went to help her poop by putting her in water and realized it was a prolapse and not a turd

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

First one needs to be a detective and determine WHY the prolapse happened, and fix that. If the cause isn't taken care of it will just happen again. . . egg bound, constipated, impacted, etc. Anything that causes continued straining maybe the cause.

The vet can push the swollen penis back inside, then add a suture to hold it in, but like I said above, it will come back if he continues to strain.

Rather than euthanize you might consider penis removal surgery. I had that done to a few rescues over the years. A tortoise gets along just fine without a penis.

In the meantime make a paste out of granulated sugar and gob it on the prolapse, then wrap his bottom to hold the past in place. The sugar will help reduce the swelling. Don't allow the penis to dry out.

I reached out to a rescue (as my financial situation is tight for September.) And they talked to a vet tech who said its likely best to euthanize.

 

[Tom]

Hello! I was sent here by Joshua Tree Reptile Haven. I have this young sulcata tortoise that was given to me as a surrender. It has a flat show and some pyramiding. Recently had it has prolapsed and I was advised that euthanasia would be the most humane option. However other people are saying that there might still be a chance to cure it. The problem I'm running into is I currently cannot afford a vet right at this moment. I was able to gather enough funds for euthanasia but do not want to euthanize if it's not necessary.

A penectomy can be performed by any competent vet and the tortoise should be fine. I suspect there are many other complications due to the poor care and housing of this tortoise, and those may be contributing factors for the recommendation to euthanize.

 

[JoJosMom]

When I first got scooter she or he was much flatter and was constipated and couldn't walk but has had no trouble since. I honestly thought this was poop the other day that's why I didn't do anything and then I saw them eating and I was like okay no big deal then I went to help her poop by putting her in water and realized it was a prolapse and not a turd

Any other vets in Indiana that are experienced with Tortoises? @Yvonne G are you aware of any in Indiana?

 

[zovick]

Any other vets in Indiana that are experienced with Tortoises? @Yvonne G are you aware of any in Indiana?

For what it's worth, that prolapse does not look like a male organ. I believe it is more likely cloacal or intestinal in origin. The tortoise may not be a male.

From the looks of it, this poor thing has apparently suffered for its entire life. If I had it, I would agree to euthanize it at this point.

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

A penectomy can be performed by any competent vet and the tortoise should be fine. I suspect there are many other complications due to the poor care and housing of this tortoise, and those may be contributing factors for the recommendation to euthanize.

The barriers to this are: 1. we're not sure if it's a male. 2. funds 3. quality of life even if the prolapse can be cured. .
I am currently tight for the month of September and I know this poor baby cannot wait until October to be seen by a vet and taking care of. Which I already feel awful for but that's why I'm reaching out to see if it can be saved or if it would be best to humanely euthanize. I am leaning towards female for this tortoise.

 

[cr8zybirdl8dy]

For what it's worth, that prolapse does not look like a male organ. I believe it is more likely cloacal or intestinal in origin. The tortoise may not be a male.

From the looks of it, this poor thing has apparently suffered for its entire life. If I had it, I would agree to euthanize it at this point.

These are the factors I looked at as well. I believe that if it was just a prolapse and mild deformities I would try much harder. And I was actually scheduling rads in October For him. Since she's been with me she's had proper lighting heat and humidity with of course margin of human error but she's been well taken care of once she was in my hands.. I really suspect that the shell shape is potentially causing either a blockage like JoJo's mom said and or hindering it from going back in

 

[JoJosMom]

For what it's worth, that prolapse does not look like a male organ. I believe it is more likely cloacal or intestinal in origin. The tortoise may not be a male.

From the looks of it, this poor thing has apparently suffered for its entire life. If I had it, I would agree to euthanize it at this point.

The tail is short, and seems to be a female. I think you're right. We were going to have her ship her to us overnight so we could take her to the vet to have the prolapse fixed. Do you really feel euthanasia is the only option? Dana and I want to try and save her if we can. I know that if we can get the prolapse fixed that she can still live a good life with us.