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hemipenes amputation

Schwan Sep 05, 2003 03:00 PM

i recently took my rankins dragon to the vet for a prolapse of the left hemipenes, and they had to amputate it. i was wondering, does that mean that he can still breed with his right hemipenes? will he be less "excitible" if you know what i mean? apparently he prolapsed from over-stimulation--he was being housed with my female bearded and was trying to mate with her all the time...will this slow down when i put them back together?

also, he was given some absorbable sutures...how long will he take to heal?

any help will be appreciated...

thanks,

amanda

Replies (2)

LdyPayne Sep 05, 2003 05:21 PM

These sort of questions should have been asked of your Vet. He would have been able to answer them more acurrately than most people here. But since you asked I will give my thoughts on your two questions.

From what I have read about the hemipenis is only one is ever used in copulation, which one is used depends on what side the male is on the female. If she always tilts up one side and that happens to be the side he is missing his hemepenis, he may not be able to fertilize her. You may have to 'help' him to get the right side up for him to gain access, but again, I am not sure. He may figure this out himself, or she will.

The cat gut sutures (I think that is typically what is used for any sutures that break down on their own) usually last 2-3 weeks if I recall correctly. If they don't break down you may have to take him back to the vet to get them removed. Again your Vet should give a better estimated time frame than me.

Last point..it is better to house your males separately from your females to prevent this type of thing from happening. If your male wanted to mate all the time, think of the unnecessary stress on your females it has caused. Best to keep him separated (especially till he has fully healed), putting them together only to breed.

jtreed Sep 05, 2003 08:20 PM

They have a dominant hemipenes and a recessive one. If the dominant one is removed the recessive one takes over. You should have no problems with him breeding once he is fully recovered.
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