Swollen cloaca with blisters/bumps?

motherofCHAOS

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Hello,

Professor Chaos is currently dealing with some issues with his back end area. Today during his soak I noticed some reddish looking tissue and some blisters/bumps on the tissue. Does anyone have any idea what these bumps/blisters are or if this is normal/signs of infection? Progression pictures below.

Backstory: Prof. Chaos has been on ceftazidime for a few doses now for an "systemic infection." Nothing on fecal. Nothing else wrong with bloodwork except for high WBC. Not much else for me to go off of really. Eating normal and acting normal otherwise. Soaking himself on his own but does not like being "force soaked."

Yes. I have contacted his vet and am waiting for their thoughts as well.

*FIRST TWO PICS FROM RODAY LAST TWO PICS FROM 2 DAYS AGO*
 

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Yvonne G

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Looks like something's stuck in there - an egg or a stone or a very hard poop. Get a syringe with no needle and squirt some mineral oil up in there all around the inside edge in a circle to get around the outside of whatever it is that's stuck.
 

motherofCHAOS

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Looks like something's stuck in there - an egg or a stone or a very hard poop. Get a syringe with no needle and squirt some mineral oil up in there all around the inside edge in a circle to get around the outside of whatever it is that's stuck.

Thank you! I am going to run to Walmart now and try this.

My main concern is further aggrevating the tissue that is already inflamed and has some sort of yellowish looking blisters/bumps/mucus? It reminds me of when someone has strep throat and the white bacteria you see all over. Once I get the object out (if there is one) should I clean or disinfect the area in any way?
 

Yvonne G

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Would probably be a good idea to get him to the vet for antibiotics. You can flush it with sterile saline.
 

motherofCHAOS

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Would probably be a good idea to get him to the vet for antibiotics. You can flush it with sterile saline.
I actually just had him at the vet and he is currently on an antibiotic after they could find nothing else wrong. Now im noticing this issue and thinking its something stuck causing the infection? I did place a call to them with this update and am waiting to hear back.
 

motherofCHAOS

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I just did a few squirts of the mineral oil as suggested. Waiting to see if anything happens. Still no word from our vet. If nothing else though he seems more comfortable after the oil. Some of the tissue went back inside. Just watching and waiting.
 

motherofCHAOS

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Prof. Chaos seen his doctor today. X-ray confirmed an "object" is lodged inside ? fluids given..sending him home with lactulose. instructed to feed pumpkin.

How long should I expect to see results with this? What concerns or warning signs should I have/know while he tries to pass the "object"?
 

Yvonne G

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Since mineral oil is non absorptive, it goes in and through the digestive tract, coating everything it comes in contact with. So spread some mineral oil on a leaf of romaine and roll it up like a cigar then feed it to him. Note: Never give mineral oil orally on its own because the tortoise won't feel it in his mouth and may aspirate it into his lungs.
 

motherofCHAOS

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thanks for the tips and support!

he is home and doing well. he LOVES the pumpkin. we will see how he does with all of this ?? holding out hopes for a poop!
 

Toddrickfl1

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Hello,

Professor Chaos is currently dealing with some issues with his back end area. Today during his soak I noticed some reddish looking tissue and some blisters/bumps on the tissue. Does anyone have any idea what these bumps/blisters are or if this is normal/signs of infection? Progression pictures below.

Backstory: Prof. Chaos has been on ceftazidime for a few doses now for an "systemic infection." Nothing on fecal. Nothing else wrong with bloodwork except for high WBC. Not much else for me to go off of really. Eating normal and acting normal otherwise. Soaking himself on his own but does not like being "force soaked."

Yes. I have contacted his vet and am waiting for their thoughts as well.

*FIRST TWO PICS FROM RODAY LAST TWO PICS FROM 2 DAYS AGO*
Nice long (like hours long) warm soaks in the bathtub might help move things along.
 

Cathie G

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Since mineral oil is non absorptive, it goes in and through the digestive tract, coating everything it comes in contact with. So spread some mineral oil on a leaf of romaine and roll it up like a cigar then feed it to him. Note: Never give mineral oil orally on its own because the tortoise won't feel it in his mouth and may aspirate it into his lungs.
I love this tip because it could help even a stone pass through with no scratches maybe?
 

motherofCHAOS

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Were up this morning doing LONG soaks. Had some more straining but nothing has come out yet. Will be doing more pumpkin and lactulose in a few.

Hoping he is able to pass this on his own. Vet did not mention any other options so I am a bit worried if he isnt able to pass it what the next steps are... positive vibes please. ? this mumma is worried.
 

MenagerieGrl

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Is it possible for you to grab ahold of the cloaca and try to squeeze the blockage out?
I'm sure it depends on where the obstruction is in the GI tract.
@motherofCHAOS, I hope the pumpkin, Soaks and Mineral oil suppositories Help Chaos flush this out of it's system.
Any Idea what he could have consumed in his enclosure?
 

motherofCHAOS

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I'm sure it depends on where the obstruction is in the GI tract.
@motherofCHAOS, I hope the pumpkin, Soaks and Mineral oil suppositories Help Chaos flush this out of it's system.
Any Idea what he could have consumed in his enclosure?
he doesnt have anything in his enclosure aside from his bedding which is coco coir and husk. the only thing I can think is he swollowed some of the bedding ? ??
 

motherofCHAOS

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If this is a white-glowing mass on the x-ray, then it is a bladder stone.
his vet sent his xrays to a "specialist" who informed them that it was an "object." Of course its possible it could be a stone but I would hope the specialist would be able to tell the difference and thats why they said "object" as opposed to a stone...
Anything is possible though. I wont rule it out until he passes whatever this is. IF it is a stone, do the same rules apply for what Ive been doing to help him pass it?
 
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