Terrible News....

[MegF.]

My beautiful and favorite green tree python Tempest prolapsed the other night. I had to rush her up to an emergency vet in Columbia for treatment. She's doing pretty well now and has a stitch on each side of the cloaca to keep the prolapse in until it hopefully heals.. Stitches should come out in a couple of weeks and then we'll see what happens. I'm grateful she's alive! Breeding plans are off for this year of course and perhaps forever. We'll have to see how she recovers. I was devastated! The vet and the techs absolutely fell in love with her though and I had a hard time prying her away from them to take her home. She was a perfect lady the whole time and never did anything to anyone. Hopefully I'll have some good news in a few weeks that everything is staying in place. I'm still going to be a nervous wreck for quite some time until I'm reasonably certain it won't happen again. There's no reason we can determine for the cause. Everything is as it should be for her as far as husbandry and feeding. The quality of the mice and rats are top notch as I get them from a private source and there's no sign of parasites. She had just deficated 4 days before without incidence and had eaten 3 days before this happened. I only feed her a weanling rat every 2 weeks so it isn't overfeeding either. She wasn't even near the time she would have deficated again...I just don't know.....

 

[Hypancistrus]

Awe, Meg, so sorry to hear that- she is such a love. Glad she is still with you though. That is the important thing.

 

[MegF.]

It certainly is! And I hope she stays that way. Time will tell, but I'm cautiously optomistic.

 

[jennrosefx]

Oh no!!! Give her hugs for me. She's my favorite snake in the world that isn't my own! I love her!! Please keep us updated.

 

[dionythicus]

Wow. What a scary situation. I'm glad she's ok. Best of luck with her health and possible breeding.

 

[diamondlil]

Bad news Meg, sorry to hear about it and hope Tempest recovers wihtout complications

 

[Tula_Montage]

Awful news Meg, I feel for you.

I hope she pulls though

 

[MegF.]

Thanks everyone. It's been rather frustrating not to have something to fix. I had brought all my records that I've kept on her since I got her (the vet was amazed and appreciative-the reptiles they usually see are dying from poor care) and there was nothing she could point to and say, Yes, that could be a factor. Maybe if I just left them dirty, cold and never fed they'd thrive!! Sometimes I wonder....

 

[Nanci]

I don't even know what to say, Meg. It must be so frustrating and scary. Did the vet speculate on how likely it was that the repair would take? Doesn't it happen every once in a while with egg laying, so someone out there must have experience with what the prognosis is. Geez, it always has to happen to the favorite, doesn't it...Poor Tempest.

Nanci

 

[MegF.]

The vet didn't have any stats on re-occurance. I did post on my chondro forum and have had some people that had multiple prolapses and some that it didn't happen again. There is another surgery if she prolapses again but of course it's much more involved. I"m hoping this will be the last. As far as breeding, there was one guy on my forum who's female has since gone on to lay eggs twice. So it's not hopeless. I'm just not sure I want to risk it. I'll have to see how she does and take it each day. No sense anticipating or looking ahead when the stitches aren't even out! I'll keep you updated. All my snakes are special to me, but she was extra special so I just want what is best for her. If she survives just to be a pet...so be it. I'll make her a display animal or something. We'll see how it goes though. Appreciate all the good wishes though!

 

[Nanci]

I first read of this at the other place, so when I saw Terrible News- I was afraid for the worst. I don't think I'd risk breeding her, if having her as a pet only is acceptible- because you can always get another breeding female, but you cant ever get another Tempest. It's good to know there is another operation available if you need it. I am the Queen of expensive operations on my pigeon. I'd spend every cent I had to save a favorite. (Or, unfortunately, any animal in need I just met, too.)

Nanci

 

[Plissken]

I first read of this at the other place, so when I saw Terrible News- I was afraid for the worst.

Same here - my heart sank when I saw the thread title. I'm really glad your snake is still with us, Meg. Good luck with her, hope she's feeling better soon.

 

[Roy Munson]

I'm very glad she made it, Meg. I'm sure you'd like to be able to breed her (duh!), but she is beautiful enough to have a secure place as an outstanding collection snake as well. Keep us posted on her recovery...

 

[PnyKlr]

I hope the beauty pulls through to a perfect recovery!

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

Definetly not a fun time for you both. I am glad to hear that she is still alive though and I hope she remains so. I wish her the best in her recovery! She sounds like a delight!

 

[Vinman]

this happens quite often with green tree python femals . It is best not too breed her at all if you do then wait at least 2 to 3 years ,it is know to come back most of the time.
good luck, Vinny

 

[Emanon]

aww man Meg sorry about that! She is a beaut... man I feel for ya and cannot imagine the hole in your stomach when you saw that. Glad she is on the mend!

 

[MegF.]

She's doing pretty well. Here are some pictures of her stitches, her perching and her soaking. I still haven't wormed her yet as I think I will have my hubby hold her while I stuff it in her throat. Diva's are NOT into that! When I soak her she is passing some urates and a bit of what probably would be fecal matter if it wasn't so watered down by the daily soaking. I'm going to continue with soaking at least every other day so hopefully the mouse she is digesting slowly comes out little by little. I'd rather not have to remove the stitches ahead of time.
Normal looking perching now..I got her a brand new big pothos plant for her cage..

Stitches:

Soaking:
Uh, do you mind...a girl is bathing here!

 

[Nanci]

Poor little sweetie...

Nanci

 

[Tracee]

Poor Tempest Crossing everything for a full recovery..