Prolapsed something, total newb, trying to do my best

[Dwiizie]

So I went to hang out with my snake, Charley, when I noticed he had a giant lump of crap on him. Then I realized it was mostly coconut bedding, a little bit of poo, but a giant turtle neck organ thing about 3/4 inch long hanging out of his vent. I called my husband, he told me I just picked him up mid poo, and to put him back, and he went back outside to do more yardwork. I felt very uneasy. I took Charley out and soaked his bottom in warm water to loosen the stuck shavings. His membrane was still very lubricated, not drying at all, so I think I caught him at the beginning of this problem.

I watched a youtube video and a guy said to use Preparation H on it to let it shrink a little. I used a qtip to apply. Then I read here that someone used antibiotics, so I put some neosporin on it. I let him wrap around a paper towel in my hand. It didn't recede.

I used a rubber glove and qtip to put everything that was hanging out back into the vent. I stumbled on a thread here where a woman said that is what she had done, only after using a sugar/water paste instead of Prep H. She said she held it closed to keep it from popping out (Charley was already straining and I just kept thinking of hernias so I tried to keep him still until it was all settled) I followed the rest of what she had done, I made sure it was back ok, and I put a bandaid with neosporin on it around him. I am a little uneasy about putting it directly on his skin, but when I used just a bandage and tape, he slid right out of it.

The vent looks as though it was ripped, split on both sides when it opened so much. It is also very swollen. But it is closed. Thats when I put the bandaid on instead of a bandage. I am so worried about my baby. I've only had him 2 months. I got him from a Petco where I got terrible care information and every resource I looked at said don't buy from them but it was too late.

I'm going to continue to follow what the other woman did, checking on him daily, removing the bandaid in a few days. I have him hanging out in a paper towel filled plastic bin near a space heater to keep the temperature right. I just don't know what other precautions to take. The thought of losing my baby sends me into full on freak out but I'm trying to just keep calm and treat him the best I can. He keeps wanting to come out and be with me and I don't know if I should just keep him away and monitored or give in to his pleading little eyes. I just was NOT prepared for this as even a possibility. I am proud of myself for acting quickly and doing what I did, but I still worry about all of it. My husband just keeps freaking out worse than me, completely clueless as to what to do, so he keeps leaving the house and I'm just doing all this alone.

I don't know exactly how old he is, I don't know how much he weighs, I just know he is being his usual sweet self and breathing well and things. Its not feeding day until Wednesday so I really hope all will just be back to normal by then. I am open to any and all advice, encouragement, criticisms, whatever, just tell me he's going to be ok

[BHReptiles]

Do you have any pictures? Can you get some? I think this will help in determining what's wrong. Also, explain a little bit about your set up. Tank or tub? Light or UTH? etc. Be as detailed as you can. Even pictures of your set up will help.

[Dwiizie]

Ok its a 12 deep 12 tall 30 wide tank. It has a screen cover with a lock, two hidey houses, a large water bowl, some vines and foliage (silk), coconut shaving bedding. It keeps a humidity of around 45-50 with daily mistings. There is a day light that is on a 12x12 timer, and a red heat liht that is always on. I have a laser thermometer, it stays 90-95 in the hottest part of the tank, and 75-80 in the coldest, with an ambient temperature of around 80. Because the bandaid is already on him and I don't want to peel it off so freshly, I cannot get a picture of what it was like or is like underneath right now. When I discovered it my only thought was OMG do something, not photos regretfully. I am attaching links to pictures of three things. His habitat, where he is now and the bandaid on his tail from the underside (he is in my bathrobe, curled up, with his tail hanging out) and the very VERY temporary "healing home" I made from a gallon water jug. I cut off the top, put paper towels in the handle, and put paper towels just in there for him to be on/under/around. I am NOT leaving him in here unattended, and he won't stay anyway he just keeps coming back to me
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[Dwiizie]

I did a Google search for "Ball Python Prolapsed" and tried to find an image most like what I experienced. This was the closest. After I, uh, tucked and taped, it just looks a little swollen, a little pale. Kind of like when the stitches in my foot were healing when I was a kid... Charley is still just calm, not showing signs of distress, just hanging out until I figure out what to do next. Acting suprisingly normal. Also forgot to say, I remove any waste daily, he is checked on at least three times a day, his tank gets a full clean and sterilization every three weeks, he eats a hopper every Wednesday. He crapped twice today before this happened, sometime between noon and around 6pm....

[JaGv]

I don't think the band aid was a good idea, the sticky part can damage the scales. but I could of been the hemipenes if your snake is a male.

[ChaosAffect]

I hate to suggest this, but the major pet stores usually have a 2 week return window for animals. I know you're probably attached, but if you're having problems already it might be a good idea to take him back and buy from a reputable breeder.

[satomi325]

Pushing things back in could have done more damage than good. Keep doing the sugar treatment. That will make the prolapse go down on its own.



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[Inarikins]

I hate to suggest this, but the major pet stores usually have a 2 week return window for animals. I know you're probably attached, but if you're having problems already it might be a good idea to take him back and buy from a reputable breeder.

OP has had the snake for 2 months and taking it back would probably be a death sentence for the poor thing anyways. The people there wouldn't have the knowledge or the ability (and the store wouldn't pay for treatment) and it would be miserable then dead. We all know most big box stores can't adequately care for an otherwise healthy snake, why would they be able to take care of one that's injured?

[Dwiizie]

I was dedinitely iffy on the bandaid. I knew leaving it all exposed with stuff stuck to it couldn't be good. This is the thread I got my intel from:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...lapsed-Rectum!

[Dwiizie]

And no I would never take him back. It sucks I didn't know better beforehand but oh well. I love Charles ♡♡♡