I have a hatchling Texas Ratsnake which had a parasite problem and ended up prolapsing a couple times as a result. It just finished being treated with Albon (sulfadimethoxine) and is being put on another antibiotic today to take care of a second species of parasite. Earlier this month the snake was on Baytrill to take care of any potential bacterial problems in its gut (this was before parasite eggs were found in fecal float). After each prolapse incident sutures were put in by a reputable herp vet around the vent to prevent the cloaca from popping back out and were removed 3 days later. Damage caused to the anal scales by the sutures may be irreparable. The first anal scale tore to the side and fell off. The second appears necrotic and is also torn in the same fashion. He's going in for a recheck either today or tomorrow but I wanted to know what you all thought about this. Obviously the anal scales are not a vital organ but what are the long-term implications of this? The primary function of the anal scales is to protect the cloaca and hemipenes. My assumption is that without two of them the snake should be kept on a paper towel or newspapaer substrate so that stuff can't get jammed in there and cause problems. Anything else you can think of. I'm pretty sure the snake is male but I have not probed to be certain... It's weighs only 20 grams.

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• hatchling snake lost 2 anal scales - anuraanman, Mon Mar 16 15:44:16 2009
• correction. - anuraanman, Mon Mar 16 16:45:59 2009
• Update - anuraanman, Wed Mar 18 13:38:55 2009
• RE: Update - snake_bit, Wed Mar 18 13:53:52 2009
• RE: Update - anuraanman, Wed Mar 18 14:09:08 2009
• RE: Update - HogBilly, Sun Mar 22 17:28:11 2009