Hemipene problem

[L.West]

When I purchase my mojave I knew that he had been retired from a breeding program due to a prolapsed hemipene. He had lump near his cloaca when I got him but was told that he could poop and pee just fine - should be kept on paper and never to breed him.

I've had him now about a year (he is about 1,400 grams) and I've notice that the bigger he gets - the lump seems larger and slightly irritated. I put some neosporin ointment on it just as a precaution.

Is there a procedure that can be done to simply remove his hemipene to remove this lump/growth. If so, how much do you think this would costs and more importantly would it be safe to have this surgically removed??

I need some advice on this - please help.

Thank you.

[txherp]

I don't know about the cost, but it is possible to remove the hemipene. At least I know it is possible in turtles...

[L.West]

Do you know if it is very risky for a snake to undergo surgery - I sure don't want something to happen to him??

I just think that since he can no longer breed - keeping the hemipene the way it is - is useless.

[Russ Lawson]

Sounds like it could be an infection of some sort. I'd try to get it to a vet and get it removed. From what I've heard the procedure is simple and not too risky at all. Also, there's a good chance he may still have one good pene, so he may still be able to breed with the problem one removed.

[txherp]

Just remember any surgery is risky, especially with a reptile. They don't do as well with anethesia as mammals do.

[L.West]

I wish I had a picture of it - it really hasn't changed much in appearance from when I got him but once in awhile it looks to my like it gets irritated - possibly from pooping.

I think I will call my vet and ask about it - I am just very leary of putting the snake to sleep for the procedure - I don't want to create more problems by trying to fix this issue.

I will try to take a picture of it and then try to upload it to this site - I dont really know how to do that.

[majorleaguereptiles]

I suggest a vet visit, but fixing something like that will be very costly. Without it being fixed, I imagine only problems will continue to occur.

[L.West]

I cant really say that there are any problems at the moment - it has been like this for about 1.5 years at this point. It is just rather ugly - he has this lump by this cloaca.

The breeder I got him from felt strongly that he would live a long, happy life just as long as I didn't try to breed him and to keep him on paper bedding only - which I have done.

I think the main reason it looks slightly different to me may be because he is growing so much and the lump must also be growing along with him - I don't know.

I have asked the breeder to stop over to take a look at him and see what he thinks. I knew he had this condition when I bought him but I was also told that it would not become a problem. He was purchased as a pet only - no breeding.

I've got a call into my herp vet to see what he thinks. I dont have thousands of dollars to spend on fixing this - so I will keep my fingers crossed that (either it don't need to be fixed or it wont costs more than $500) - this really sucks.

[L.West]

I scheduled the vet visit for Noah to get this hemipene problem looked at. They said that once the doctor can see the bulge and determine it is what I believe it to be - they will probably remove it that day.

I will be relieved when this is all behind us. He is such a pretty boy and to have that ugly lump on his rearend removed will be cause for celebration!!!

[TomC]

Keep us informed on how it goes.