Urgent Care :: Prolapse Advice

[tu.es.hic]

So, Blair had an intestinal prolapse today. I followed the instructions on austin's turtle page and dry docked her, then applied honey to reduce the swelling. Hoping it will retract on its own. If it doesn't, does anyone have experience helping the intestine return to the vent?

[steve]

Man, poor Blair Assisting after swelling goes down is just gently pushing it in. But with the seriousness of the situation, I'd take the time and look up some vets in case you need their services.

[tu.es.hic]

Thanks, Steve.

Unfortunately, the only herp vet in my area who specializes in turtles readily admits she hasn't actually treat turtles in awhile, and I'm not sure if she's there on weekends anyway. I'll keep looking.

[steve]

Any idea how it happened? Did your other turtle bite the prolapse?

[tu.es.hic]

No to both.

The last thing she ate was cuddlebone as far as I know, and the two of them have been separated for over a week.

[tu.es.hic]

Update. My vet was in but is swamped, so she referee me to an exotics vet at an emergency clinic. Waiting to be seen now.

[steve]

Was the backing removed on the cuttlebone? Did your RES take large bites? Hope there is good news...

[tu.es.hic]

Finally heard back from the vet. They are going sedate her and recess the prolapse, then she will be on some medication and anti-biotics.

They basically told me this resulted from vitamin deficiencies in her diet, particularly vitamin D (or A, a little disagreement here with the two vets I spoke with) and calcium. For the calcium I can just make sure they always have extra cuddle bone to nibble on but for the others. I was told there was a liquid I could add to the water? Any clue or recommendations on this?

[tu.es.hic]

Blair is going back today for a check-up, though I'm not sure what they expect to be different after one day.

A note on her behavior, she spend all yesterday--morning and night--on her basking platform, which is unusual for her. I know she is stressed and still recovering, so I'm trying to leave her be (today's vet visit will probably not do much to endear me to her...); however, is spending so much time under the basking light and out of the water okay for her? Will lowering or raising the temperature of either the water or basking area aid in her recovery?

[steve]

Is the backing removed on the cuttlebone? I don't think it's a big deal with older turtles who have an appropriate diet. Basking under warmth is probably giving her immune system a boost, so as long as she is not up there 24/7, I would leave her be.

[tu.es.hic]

The backing is removed from the cuddle bone.

Just back from the vet, Blair will be on anti-inflammatories and anitbiotics for a while, but the vet did compliment my husbandry--for which I have this site to thank! She said they usually have people who keep them in really bad conditions.

[steve]

Hows the little one doing today? Intestinal prolapse is a pretty rare occurrence. Is she eating/pooping yet?

[tu.es.hic]

She is about back to normal behavior-wise. She ate a treat yesterday, but was not in an eating mood after I gave her two shots this morning. She's been basking for the past couple hours, so I'll see if she will eat later.

[steve]

Glad to hear it!