Reptile & Amphibian Forums

has anyone experienced cloacal prolapse in a gravid female? -very long story and long night at cornell university. i would love to hear any similar experiences. based upon what i have at hand,(i had the whole story typed out but the forum timed me out and it didn't post so here is the condensed version)
i think the female MAY (as the time approaches) be able to lay BUT i do not know enough about cloacal- oviductal anatomy/morphology to make that decision yet. i have a real colorectal surgeon (a reptile fan) getting an email to help me understand the inflammatory mucosal response.
right now the immediate primary concern is healing the female from this bad injury, secondary mindset is to expand the parameters of herpetocultural veterinary practice in a small way. Exotics vet suggests removing eggs. however i feel there may be enough time for the inflammatory response to subside before egg deposition (she's not in pre laying shed yet) but i would give up the clutch if it becomes a health hazard to the female. be advised i am not concerned about the money, any potential hatchlings would stay here or be donated.

so any opinions and advice are/is welcome. thank you kindly great forum.

please support you local/regional veterinary college- donations, give a herp talk (i am going to), whatever you can. these people are interested in herps even at 1 a.m.
if it wasn't for CU just being open on call i would be delivering a eulogy instead of an inquiry!

thanks
daveb

Sorry to hear of this, Dave,

Unfortunately, the causative factor of cloacal prolapse is rarely determined, but the types of tissue that can prolapse vary, as numerous organs, such as the oviduct, bladder and intestine are all candidates. I would first try to determine what tissues are involved by scoping the cloaca. If the prolapsed tissue is indeed the oviduct, I believe your veterinarian will wish to extirpate the eggs, as such can pave the way for a bacterial and/or viral infection which places both the female and eggs in jeopardy.
Keep in mind, the administration of antibiotics can have a negative impact upon a gravid female, especially in the way of hydration. I would also harbor concerns about any scar tissue which may occur within the oviduct, should the prolapsed tissue originated from there.
I have been very fortunate in that I have only had a single male D. m melanurus incur a hemipenile prolapse, which was quickly corrected without complications. I would first try to determine what tissue was involved and base my decision upon such, along with your girls over all condition and advice of an experienced veterinarian…

Good luck,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Double check snake anatomy... I don't think there are any exceptions to them not having a bladder. They do kind of have flared ureters that empty into the urodeum which is the cranial portion of the cloaca.

Doesn't change that all the answers so far have been great in my opinion. While egg removal might be the safest, I don't see any harm in a little bit of wait and see (If I'm correct in my take that the prolapse has been resolved). I wouldn't be at all surprised if the prolapse occurs again during egg laying; which might be a considerable risk if not discovered immediately.

Ian

You're correct Joey, in my haste I was commenting on Aves, as the majority of information we have, regarding prolapse, actually comes from such. However, my point wasteh importance of distinguishing which tissue has prolapsed, especially given the circumstances Dave indicated.

Thanks for pointing out my mistake, Joey!

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Since I'm not a vet, you may want to consult your own vet about this.

The first thing you may want to try is applying some corn syrup or some high sugar liquid on the prolapse (honey?).

Often the sugar can withdraw some of the fluids from the prolapse and it will reset itself.

My .02

Doug T

Doug, thanks for the response. It is interesting that several people have mentioned this as a successful remedy.
I was able to get to the vet and get the tissue reduced. The big question at this point is whether to allow her to lay eggs when the time comes or to have them surgically removed.
Thanks,
Dave

this fairly common and rarely needs surgical intervention if it is rectal proplapse..Same with uterine prolapse which occurs a litle less frequently..
If your vet vet was able to determine which tissue this was, and I suspect he was, as the oviduct is barely more than a membrane in snakes, he should be able to guide you..I would think if the snake is able to pass feces successfully and without difficulty, then perhaps laying would not be a problem..Time will tell..And it sounds like you've got a bit to go...
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

carl-
if it can drop pop hang burst break or rupture i have probably seen it from working 15 years in the human O.R., sounds like you have similar experience?

see first 2 letters of my forum name...
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

As I recall, he helped groom a young Dr. Bush, of venom ER fame, back during his days as a student...
Please correct me if I am wrong Dr. G.. ;0)

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

of mine in the late 80's or very early 90's if I remember correctly..Still looks the same today! Moved to CA for residency and I thought he was going to be a "surfer dude"!!
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas