Prolapsed Cloaca???

Hi, my friend and I co-own a ball python that we purchased from Petco almost a year ago. The ball python (Leanna) refused to eat for almost 5 months when we first got her, but then started eating once a week with no problems. She had a lot of problems shedding at first, so we tried bathing her in warm water to aid with the shedding. Upon doing this, she started pooping, but in the process of doing so, her anus started hanging out and dragging behind her. After 30 minutes she was able to suck it back in again, but it happened again the next day. She was able to pull it in again as well. We switched her to a better quality bedding and it almost immediately helped her shed and she was normal for about 4 months, with no problems with her lower half. About two weeks ago, after feeding her a few days prior, her anus came out again, but we didn't get to it in time and it sort of dried up. We put her in a smaller container lined with a wet paper towel for moisture and some sugar as advised by the internet and even went as far as bringing her to school with us to keep an eye on her. It is still hanging out after 2 weeks and neither my friend nor I have had the time to take her to the vet. We haven't fed her since we discovered the problem, in fear that she won't be able to poop properly and have a blockage that can kill her. She is still alive and hanging on, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice on what's going on or any ways to help her.

Vet asap is what she needs

Definitely a herp vet...
I'm not sure bringing her around with you is good for her, all that extra stress. It could also be an issue of food/time.... Likely there should be vet time made for her, or there could be big problems. The longer the wait the worse it could get

On a side note, I'm fairly sure (heard/learned from reputable people on here) that -warm- water isn't good for them, lukewarm/cold to us water is more appropriate, and might not even help depending on the problem. A bad shed needs a humidity fix, which is best fixed by closing the place up and a lot of damp moss or paper towels.
Do you know that she's appropriate weight for her age as well?

You are way past homemade remedy, sorry and YOU are gonna have to make the time to go to a vet because at this point this is the only way to help and sadly the animal should NEVER have gone that long without treatment.



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Not having the time to take her to the vet seems really rather cruel! As a pet owner you have a responsibility to insure the animals health and welfare. Sorry to hear this. Her condition is actually a surgical emergency! Good luck.

Eeeeek... I'm not sure I would use the sugar in the water. I would think that would harbor bacteria??

Definitely a veterinary emergency. If it dries up too badly it can shrivel up and literally fall off. Good luck.

The sugar water trick is ok to try.. But what concerns me is this has gone on for 2 weeks... The fact that it has happened more than once is also concerning.. See a vet immediately!!! Do not wait any longer.

However, the sugar water is suppose to be applied to the cloaca area. Its a little late now, but for future reference.

Vet. Not just a regular vet, a herp vet. A cat/dog vet probably won't be able to handle this. The sugar treatment (sometimes I've seen honey recommended, though I've only had to use that one on the occasional frog) is okay, but if a prolapse happens more than once, it's still a good idea to get a vet to check it out IMO.

I'm not trying to be harsh, but when you're dealing with future issues, if you'd take your dog to the vet for something, take your snakes. You wouldn't let a dog go for two weeks with a segment of dried out lower intestine hanging out of it. I hate to be pessimistic, but waiting so long to treat this may have cost your snake its life, and definitely turned what could have been a quick fix into what will almost certainly be a costly ordeal...

I don't think she's an appropriate weight... I don't have a scale to weigh her, so I can't be 100% sure. She is very small compared to other ball pythons I've seen around her age. We've been concerned about her weight and length for a while now.

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Originally Posted by leanna_bp

I don't think she's an appropriate weight... I don't have a scale to weigh her, so I can't be 100% sure. She is very small compared to other ball pythons I've seen around her age. We've been concerned about her weight and length for a while now.

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A prolapse that has gone untreated for two weeks is a much bigger problem. Find an exotic animal specialist vet.

So just for learning purposes, what does the sugar water do for prolapsed anuses? Honey makes sense, as it has antibacterial properties. But sugar water? TEACH ME!!

"You can try soaking the iguana in a cool bath to which sugar has been added. Heavy concentrations of sugar in the water will act to draw out the fluids engorging the swollen everted tissue; this may reduce it enough to be inverted by the lizard. The tissue may be rinsed with fresh water and Betadine, and carefully pushed back in with a gloved finger lubricated with KY Jelly (the type without the spermicde). Extreme care must be taken in doing this as, if the colon contains fecal matter and the colon tissue is pierced in the attempt to replace it, severe, even fatal contamination and injury may result. If the soaking does not work within an hour, and you do not wish to attempt manual replacement, the iguana should be placed on a damp towel and taken to the vet as quickly as possible."


Taken from the first website off a quick google search. I agree with everyone else, a vet trip was necessary the minute it started happening. A little late now, so do what you can to locate and get to one specifically for reptiles and exotics. If she survives, you might want to consider rehoming her to someone who has time to make vet visits. I'm not trying to be harsh, just looking out for your snake's future health.

oh wow. how could 2 people not find the time or funds between them to take their poor snake to the vet? this is heartbreaking. :(

Edit: ok i'm actually mad about this. there are no excuses at this point. :mad:

Agreed. Hopefully responsible action will be taken and perhaps someone nearby can take the snake in.

Being put out of its misery is probably the best thing that can happen... Stuff like that can be fatal even if it's treated immediately. It sounds like a noticeable chunk of the intestine is already dead. Just not a good prognosis.