Prolapsed Rectum!

I have heard of the prolapsed hemipene and rectum many times before but unfortunately today it was my turn to experience this. :(

I work part time at a local Pet Store. We got 3 baby balls in on Friday which I sexed 2 males and a female. I checked them over when I worked on Saturday and everything was good.

Today I decided to feed them and noticed the smallest male (55 grams) had a huge fleshy organ hanging from his vent. I knew right away it was a prolapsed rectum. It was very dry and looked like it was 'peeling' (for lack of a better word) and was full of bedding.

(I was not able to get pictures as I did not have my camera with me today! Sorry.)

I made a separate enclosure for him with paper towels and cleaned up his rectum. I then proceeded to make a shallow sugar/water bath for him and soaked his rear in it for about 5 minutes while making a sugar/water paste. After I finished soaking him I put the paste onto the rectum which draws some fluid and causes minor shrinkage and also acts as a lubricant. Using a rubber glove I gently eased the prolapse back into the vent (very carefully) and massaged the area. It looked very sore. After the rectum was back into the vent I put some steroid-free neosporin on a band-aid and wrapped it around the vent to make sure it does not prolapse again.

I will check on him every day and remove the bandage in a couple of days. I will update you as he eats, heals, and passes urates and feces if anyone is interested.

I am pretty proud of myself for being able to act right away and saving this little guy. It has come a long way from knowing nothing about reptiles at all and it is thanks to you guys. Keep up the good work, your advice does not go unheard. A special thanks to this thread by Tim (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87612) for the pointers as well.


What a day!

You did good :gj: keep us posted

Great Job! You Rock!

Daniel:gj:

Please do keep us updated on this little snake's condition. Sounds like you did a great job!

Good job you did today! :gj:

Nice quick thinking! Good job.

Thank goodness you were around to come to its aid! Please keep us posted. :gj:

Update.

He still looks pretty sore but his vent is starting to close up a bit more. He is passing a lot of urates and urine if you press on his abdomen with no ill effect. I replaced the bandage on wednesday and took it off yesterday. I tried feeding him yesterday but he had no interest; I will try again in a few days.

Little guy is doing very well overall. :)

Hi,

Wouldn't holding off on the feeding be a good thing? Or was he a good enough eater that poop is on the way regardless?


dr del

Congrats on a job well done. I am glad that my post was able to help someone. I always post my informative posts in hopes that someone can use it one day and save a snake. Please keep us posted on his progress.

Derek,
I guess it could be detrimental to feed him, however, at his young age, and being so small, I would rather keep the food going in and deal with the side effects if they return. In the case of older animals, I find that they will fast (and can afford to) after a situation like this.

Great Work,

Cool,

I had forgotten he was only 55g. :oops:


dr del

YAY!!! sounds like you did a good job and fingers are crossed that the little guy makes it.

Thanks again guys. And Dr Del as you noticed he is only a wee little 55g baby who hasn't eaten in over a week (at least!) so I feel it is necessary to feed him. And worry about the consequences - if any, later, as Tim said.

Hopefully he eats for us soon. :)

So yesterday he finally ate. He is a very bad striker and gets discouraged easily. I offered a hopper ASF but went down to a fuzzy so he would feel less intimidated. (I know it isn't the best idea to feed hatchling BP's live ASF but this guy was just too skinny.) I will feed him again on Friday and see if he will take a hopper.

His vent looks pretty healed. I decided to pop him yesterday and everything looks good. He is passing urine and urates without a problem. Still no feces yet.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Keep us posted, and congrats on a job well done.

He is doing perfect now. Ate two fuzzy ASF's a few days ago and he is now in his normal enclosure. He pops fine and has defecated without a problem. I am very proud of him.

And again, thanks Tim. I couldn't have done it without you!

I went threw this same thing a few weeks ago but I had to take my girl to the vet and get her cut open to get back in. And the vet actually told me to feed her two days later. BUt she is having to eat what I feed my balls so its no where near as large as her normal feedings. Good luck hope he has a full recovery

That's awesome! I'm glad to hear the little guy is doing well... :gj:

I am glad to hear that all is well. I always love happy endings.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarin

So yesterday he finally ate. He is a very bad striker and gets discouraged easily. I offered a hopper ASF but went down to a fuzzy so he would feel less intimidated. (I know it isn't the best idea to feed hatchling BP's live ASF but this guy was just too skinny.) I will feed him again on Friday and see if he will take a hopper.

His vent looks pretty healed. I decided to pop him yesterday and everything looks good. He is passing urine and urates without a problem. Still no feces yet.

---

FWIW, I start all my hatchlings on live ASF hoppers for their first 2 or 3 meals, then switch them to appropriately sized mice or rats. I've had no issues with ASF's from either injury or imprinting.

Glad to hear the little guy is doing well!

wow your an angel (:
thanks for doing that for the little guy!!!
im sure it means a little something to everyone
<3

I know this sounds silly, but am i supposed to rinse off the sugar paste immediately? If not, how long should it remain on before i rinse it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sarin

i have heard of the prolapsed hemipene and rectum many times before but unfortunately today it was my turn to experience this. :(

i work part time at a local pet store. We got 3 baby balls in on friday which i sexed 2 males and a female. I checked them over when i worked on saturday and everything was good.

Today i decided to feed them and noticed the smallest male (55 grams) had a huge fleshy organ hanging from his vent. I knew right away it was a prolapsed rectum. It was very dry and looked like it was 'peeling' (for lack of a better word) and was full of bedding.

(i was not able to get pictures as i did not have my camera with me today! Sorry.)

i made a separate enclosure for him with paper towels and cleaned up his rectum. I then proceeded to make a shallow sugar/water bath for him and soaked his rear in it for about 5 minutes while making a sugar/water paste. After i finished soaking him i put the paste onto the rectum which draws some fluid and causes minor shrinkage and also acts as a lubricant. Using a rubber glove i gently eased the prolapse back into the vent (very carefully) and massaged the area. It looked very sore. After the rectum was back into the vent i put some steroid-free neosporin on a band-aid and wrapped it around the vent to make sure it does not prolapse again.

I will check on him every day and remove the bandage in a couple of days. I will update you as he eats, heals, and passes urates and feces if anyone is interested.

I am pretty proud of myself for being able to act right away and saving this little guy. It has come a long way from knowing nothing about reptiles at all and it is thanks to you guys. Keep up the good work, your advice does not go unheard. A special thanks to this thread by tim (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87612) for the pointers as well.


What a day!

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