Rectal Prolapse!!!

[DuxorW]

My baby saffron corn appears to have rectal prolapse? He is just under a year old but is only 20 grams because for the longest time he would only eat reds. He has eaten medium pinks for me multiple times now so I don't think the prey item was too large, he ate 3 days ago. I put him in a tub with damp lukewarm paper towels. Is there anything else I can do? Does this require immediate veterinary care? I will post a picture if this doesn't resolve itself soon.

[Ravenessa]

it can often require surgery to get back in Im afraid :( if it doesn't resolve soon I'd take him to the vet..
keeping fingers crossed for him!

[DuxorW]

I am so worried about someone attempting surgery on a 20g runty corn, I cleaned the area with a wet Q-tip but it appears substrate has gotten in there. I dipped it in sugar as was suggested by someone else, I will take him to the vet in the morning if it doesn't go back in :(

[Ravenessa]

oh I understand but even if it needs to be pushed in, he will be the one better at doing it. I've never had to with any of my lizards *knock wood* but I completely understand. put him in a baby bin, high humidity to ensure it doesn't get worse over night..

[insomniac101]

Keep the tissue moist. Preparation H helps to reduce the swelling, so there's a better chance it will go back in. One of my green tree pythons prolapsed last year. I wasn't able to get it back in, so the vet sedated her, re-inserted the tissue, and sutured the vent closed.

If it doesn't go back in on its own, a vet visit is in order. Sorry you're going through this. Sometimes they look way worse than they really are.

Kathy

[Ravenessa]

How is little snakey?

[DuxorW]

He couldn't get squeezed in until tomorrow morning at 8:30. The prolapse looked better but then he passed more stool and urates. He is one of my favorites so I really hope he'll be ok ;(

[Ravenessa]

uj uj... poor little guy.. Im keeping fingers crossed :( I would be panicking too so I am totally with you there!

[DuxorW]

I'm worried even more because he has been such a delicate snake. He regurged as a hatchling, and although I got it under control, for a long time he would only eat boiled reds. When he finally did eat unboiled reds he was stuck on those until a few weeks ago. He was hatched last spring and is still only 20 grams and it has taken a lot of care to get him to this point, so I can't lose him now! He's also promised to my sunkissed tessera het caramel female!

[Ravenessa]

Oh no that is awful, poor little sickling :( I am really hoping for good news tomorrow! <3 <3 <3

[DuxorW]

He is being operated on now, some hard stool is stuck to the sides of his intestines slightly above the prolapse. But they expect he will be ok. I, however, will not stop worrying until he gets home, has a meal, passes normal stool, and gains some weight! He is almost a year old and weighed 18 grams today. He is not emaciated, just very runty.

[Ravenessa]

awww poor itty snakey :( such a good snake daddy! still keeping fingers crossed here <3

[insomniac101]

Hope everything turns out okay! Please keep us updated.

Kathy

[DuxorW]

Pharaoh seems to be ok. I get to pick him up later today. Hopefully after a few days he will eat and have a normal bowel movement.

[Nanci]

Wow- surgery on a 20 gram snake! Poor little guy! I hope he recovers well.

[DuxorW]

Yeah, I am really worried about him being only 18 grams. That is only about 6-8 grams of growth since I got him last year! It has been one battle after another getting him to eat and keep food down, and then this happens. I worry that he has some kind of underlying problem and that I will eventually lose him but I'll do anything I can until that time.

[DuxorW]

Here's a photo of little Pharaoh.
http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a549/dustin_williams5/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsmd4esx0q.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/dustin_williams5/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsmd4esx0q.jpg.html)

[hypnoctopus]

He's really beautiful. I hope he has a speedy recovery!

[bahab]

:dancer:Such a brave snake. Keep it up Pharaoh!

[smigon]

Oh, he IS beautiful! What a sweet face! Good for you to keep up like this. How is he doing now?

[DuxorW]

He is acting normally. They said I could feed him immediately, but I am going to be more cautious and wait a few days. I'll give him something small and maybe inject it with water to keep him from having another hard stool.

[insomniac101]

If they said you could feed now, then they didn't suture the vent closed? I think you are wise to wait a few days - let him relax a bit, and make sure the anesthetic is worn off, as it slows peristalsis. Hope he makes a complete recovery!

Kathy

[DuxorW]

I called the vet back to confirm and they do advise I wait until Tuesday, not sure why I was originally told to go ahead, but I was going to ignore that advice anyway. They also argued with me about how I don't use UV light on my snakes. Because hours of UV light on a crepuscular amelanistic snake makes total sense.

[insomniac101]

Sadly, I've found that most vets know next-to-nothing about reptiles. I think they get a few credit-hours on exotics, but that's it. My particular herp vet is a member of ARAV, but admittedly, sees more lizards and tortoises than snakes. I probably know more about day-to-day husbandry than he does. But he's top-notch with anatomy, and keeps up with the latest in diseases and medications. Does a great job, and genuinely likes snakes.

Anyway, I hope your little guy recovers. Again, you're wise to wait to feed. And what's up with the UV debate?

Kathy

[Ravenessa]

I understand that you are worried about an underlying problem. I would be too... I am glad he's perking up and glad you didn't listen to the vet. I am lucky enough to have a good reptile vet but not everyone does.. Keeping fingers crossed for the little guy <3 <3

[smigon]

I just picked one cat up from the vet (Thelma Lu, her teeth and jawbone were being reabsorbed into her body and she had to have emergency oral surgery - who knew? And THIS is where having a padded "pet" savings account comes in handy, not many people have $700 on hand for this kind of emergency) and I asked her if she was knowledgeable about snakes and she very humbly said that she knew some but would never give advice on reptiles, she just doesn't know enough about them. I hope your vet thinks about what your argument was and does some research.

[DuxorW]

After I made a smartass comment about turning Pharaoh's beautiful red eyes into beautiful creamy blue eyes he dropped it, but was clearly irritated. Next time I'll bring evidence, if they press the issue further.

[DuxorW]

Well, I fed Pharaoh earlier today (a teeny tiny red) and he already regurged it. So now I have to follow the regurge protocol and hope he pulls through. I partially blame the deworming treatment that they insisted on, I'm pretty sure it's hard on their digestive tract and he's already a very sensitive snake. So wish me luck.

[insomniac101]

Sorry to hear that. Did he actually have intestinal parasites, or was this a shotgun approach? They probably gave Panacur, which is pretty strong. It works, but takes out gut flora as well. Make sure that he stays hydrated, and please keep us posted.

Kathy

[Ravenessa]

I am so sorry :( :( I think there is reptile pro biotics you can put in the water.. Might not be a bad idea in this case...

http://www.mzrproducts.com/

[Tavia]

Ravenessa beat me to it, I was just going to recommend Nutribac too.

[DuxorW]

It was a shotgun approach and even though I found it highly unlikely he had parasites (at least worms), I relented. I have never used nutribac with regurges, just waiting 10-14 days and feeding a head at first, etc, has worked for me. But in this case I will try it.

[Jessicat]

Ravenessa beat me to it, I was just going to recommend Nutribac too.

One more vote!!

Good luck with this guy! I know it's REALLY hard, but I'd be extra extra cautious with this guy. Snakes can go awhile without eating. I know it's hard and very frustrating and sounds like he's had some issues, but another regurge won't help.

I really really hope he pulls through for you!

If he doesn't though, do NOT beat yourself up to much. Sound like you're doing the best you can, and some of these little guys just don't make it.

Good luck though, sending good vibes your way.

[DuxorW]

Thanks. I plan on waiting the full 2 weeks to feed him, and then starting with a pinky head.

[smigon]

Sounds like a plan. Order some Nutribac from Kathy Love, you may have to contact her directly if the link doesn't work on her site.

Nutribac (http://cornutopia.com/Corn%20Utopia%20on%20the%20Web/Nutribac%20information.htm)

[DuxorW]

Pharaoh passed his pinky head and the prolapse did not reoccur. So there is hope! He is a measly 15 grams now, and is almost a year old!

[Ravenessa]

Oh my God... Poor snakey but congratulations on step one <3 I am so keeping fingers crossed for this little fighter!

[hypnoctopus]

All I saw was the word 'passed' and I thought the worst. I'm glad to hear that he's on the way to recovery.

[DuxorW]

All I saw was the word 'passed' and I thought the worst. I'm glad to hear that he's on the way to recovery.

Yes, I guess I worded that poorly!

[Tavia]

Glad to hear he's doing well!

[Nanci]

Glad he's doing okay so far.

[DuxorW]

Pharaoh held down a whole pink a week ago and got another last night. I'd say he might finally be taking off for me :)

[Tavia]

Glad to hear!!

[DollysMom]

I'm so glad. He may be small but he's a fighter!

[Ravenessa]

yay <3 I am so happy to read this!!

[DuxorW]

He is destined for greatness :)

I hope to eventually pair him with my SK tessera het caramel to make honey tesseras het amel ph stripe. They are both such sweet animals so their babies should be both beautiful and friendly. A lot of people still claim SK animals are hateful no matter how much they have been outbred, but I have had the opposite experience.

[insomniac101]

Good to hear he's doing well!

Kathy

[DuxorW]

Sadly he prolapsed again today after shedding. So back to the vet soon to explore options.

[Christaberk]

Sadly he prolapsed again today after shedding. So back to the vet soon to explore options.

So sorry to hear this!

[Ravenessa]

Oh no I am so sorry :( Keeping fingers crossed <3

[DuxorW]

:cry:He didn't make it, he died before I even got to the vet. I don't know why. He had been eating and passing normal stools/urates since his last prolapse.

[Ravenessa]

I am so sorry :( RIP little guy... <3 I think your first hunch was right regarding his ability of thriving that you posted about earlier. In any regular persons hands he probably would have been long gone already. You did everything you could <3

[DollysMom]

I'm so so sorry for your loss. You did a exceptional job caring for him and nursing him along. RIP Pharaoh.

[hypnoctopus]

Aw, dang, I'm so sorry!

[smigon]

Man, I was SO hoping the last feeding was a great sign, some little guys just aren't meant for this world. I hope you get another corn when you are ready mentally (allow yourself to grieve Pharoah's death), you have proven yourself a good corn parent.

[insomniac101]

I am so sorry :( RIP little guy... <3 I think your first hunch was right regarding his ability of thriving that you posted about earlier. In any regular persons hands he probably would have been long gone already. You did everything you could <3

I agree. He was so tiny, but you cared for him so well. So sorry for the loss of little Pharaoh.
:(

Kathy

[DuxorW]

Thanks everyone. When I got him it was mainly as a future mate to my SK tessera het caramel. But he quickly became a favorite because of his great personality. I will probably get another saffron but there will never be another Pharaoh!

[obboi34]

your devotion to his care was incredible. I'm so sorry that he died.