Anus problem, compacted Tegu - please read!

Tony · New Member Joined: Aug 25, 2005 Posts: 9

Ok, crawl has been doing great until a few days ago. He's been a normal, happy, healthy guy who loves having fun (his favorite spot outside his enclosure has been my HEAD lol - he sits on my head for hours lol) anyway, the other day, i noticed he was a bit swollen. Meaning, he was puffy from just behind his ears to his belly. I thought i would give it overnight to see if anything changed, so the next day i took him out, he seemed to *act* fine, running, playing, etc, and the swelling had gone down some, so i gave it ONE MORE day. Today he is puffy, and his anus (i guess that's what his pooper is called on a lizard...) is red, and swollen and looks blocked. He has a couple of small substrate fibers poking out as well. I've given him a soak so far, but no bowel movement yet. I've called the vet, but she is closed today, even to emergencies, but will bring him to her tomorrow, one way or the other.

The reason for this post is i'm looking for maybe a few ideas on what i can do to help him pass whatever is stuck. I'm worried about my buddy, and i want to know if i can be proactive and help him, instead of just waiting for the vet. Now, don't get me wrong, he IS going to the vet tomorrow, even if he DOES pass what's got him bound up, but i'm also wondering if anyone has seen this red, distended anus problem before. Please feel free to post any advice, as i will be checking this thread all day and night.

Thanks in advance.

Tony
"Crawl's pappy"

tupinambis · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:35 pm Post subject:

It's not an anus in reptiles, it's called a cloaca. Sounds like your friend is potentially a little constipated, although there can certainly be other causes to what you are seeing.

Is there any internal viscera protuding from the cloaca? Does the tegu display defecating behaviour that indicates it is struggling to push something out? If you gently palpitate the abdomen towards the hips, do you feel solid mass(es)?

Best thing I can think of to do without knowing more is to take the tegu out of its original enclosure and keep it in something with a clean, semi-sterile bottom, like a large tupperware container lined with newspaper or something. You don't want to keep it on regular substrate incase between now and when the vet takes a look at it, the animal produces a cloacal prolapse. I'd also gently remove those fibres, first lubricating them with some KY or other personal lubricant before trying to pull anything out. You may also try going to the pharmacy and getting an enema kit (such as Fleet) to help clear the tegu up, but only if you feel confident enough that you won't internally damage it.

alex · Valued Member Joined: Aug 03, 2005 Posts: 106

My brain is completely fried from sniffing halothane all afternoon and potentially giving myself orf, but...

I don't want to say much 'cause unless you know whether or not organs are involved in the blockage, you can't really say much as that changes the treatment.

Give some fluids orally too, incase he's dehydrated and that's causing constipation. Do try to remove a little of the debris (as the pressure can cause tissue death) but if you see organs, blood, whatever, STOP. Buy gatorade and dilute it by half and give it to him (carefully) with a syringe. Or just buy pedialyte from a pharmacy, which doesn't need to be diluted.

Does he have any other signs of disease? It's worrisome you say his whole body is swollen from cervical region to cloaca. Red flushing on his skin, in his mouth, etc. means he can't wait until tomorrow to get to the vet.

Do you have a 24 hr emergency clinic anywhere you could take him to? Most larger cities have them.

I had a turtle once eat a 15 cm long strip of silicone from the tank and pass it whole. We had a lot of trouble figuring out what was sticking out, as it wasn't an organ and wasn't shit and they didn't have substrate.... parasites, possibly, we thought until we started pulling it out.

Tony · New Member Joined: Aug 25, 2005 Posts: 9

No, no redness of the skin whatsoever. He looks fine, except for being a bit puffy. The only redness is his cloaca (thanks) and that's not ALL that red. He has a couple small fibers from his substrate poking out, but it doesn't look big, but lord only knows. He's still ok, as i checked him not too long ago. He's alert, has plenty of energy still, but his cloaca is still protruding a bit. If he was lethargic, or red anywhere else, i would have FOUND somewhere to take him, but he seems ok for tonight, so we're off in the morning.

This little guy means the world to me, so i'm a bit tense right now. I'm praying the vet will tell me i was worried for nothing.

Anyway, thanks for the replies guys.

Tony

drfish · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:29 am Post subject:

Let us know the outcome mate

Cheers

Teiidae · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 8:13 am Post subject:

Tony · New Member Joined: Aug 25, 2005 Posts: 9

UPDATE ::::: HE PASSED IT!

It was a small piece of substrate, not sure why he ate it, as i don't feed him in his enclosure, but oh well

He looks MUCH better now! His puffiness is gone, his cloaca is looking WAY better, and is a light shade of pink today, as opposed to red as it was. His cloaca swelling is also just about gone too. I'm so happy i can't even freaking see straight. He hasn't eaten yet, but he's drinking plenty, and i'm sure he'll take the plunge with some food today!

Thanks for the help and support guys!

^^Stoked

EDIT :: Oh yeah, wanted to say too, that Crawl is sitting on my head as i write this. He LOVES my head for some reason and will sit there for long stretches of time lol. So yeah, he's feeling a bit better

Tony

Teiidae · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 2:36 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear he is doing better - I would still try to soak him for a few days in case there is any more to pass ...
_________________
1.0.0 Ball Python "Albino"
1.1.0 Ball Python 100% "Het Albino"
1.2.0 Ball Python "Pastel"
1.0.0 Ball Python "Cinnamon Pastel"
1.0.0 Ball Python "Spider"
0.2.0 Ball Python "Normal"