Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My turtle, Flash, always defecates after eating. For the past couple of feedings we noticed a small thing coming from Flash's cloaca. Well, today it was huge, so I looked it up and found loads of info about prolapse. Flash seems to be very healthy===bright eyes, healthy shell, huge appetite, and very aware and active. We always put calcium and vitamin stuff on the food, and feed worms from pet stores. I've read prolapse could be caused by an obstructed colon (which is my fear) because the only thing that has changed is that she has been released this spring for the first time into an outside enclosure.

MY MAIN QUESTION: I am worried now. Should I take Flash to a herp vet tomorrow morning? OR should I wait, make sure the prolapse stays moist, and see if she gets over this? Love is more important than money here because we have had Flash for five years and CANNOT lose her!

ST, you don't mention what species Flash is.

>Should I take Flash to a herp vet tomorrow morning? OR should I wait, make sure the prolapse stays moist, and see if she gets over this?

Has Flash ever laid eggs?

On the whole I'm thinking if Flash "retracts" this "prolapse," then you've named Flash quite well and Flash has fanned you with his new-found maturity! **Male** turtles do "fan" their, er... privates. If Flash is still able to defecate, then no blockage has occurred.

However, if in the morning Flash is still protruding, then by all means, get her to a **qualified** herp vet! Yes, do keep the prolapse moist.
Good Luck and let us know either way!

If it is naturally retracted - and, not to insult your intelligence, if it really is a "she" and not a male extending its male organ - you may be OK but if it is persistent, the prognosis may not be good. I had a male aquatic with an unresolved prolapse that was twice treated by a vet with a suture across the vent, but it always reocurred when the suture finally broke. It survived several years until a time when it was temporarily housed with other turtles and the prolapse unexpectedly occured and was bitten off. It deteriorated after this and finally died.

I have seen several males with this problem and they have had the problem "removed" by a vet. The turtles are still alive to this day and thriving.

Flash is a female. We have had her for five years now. She is very special to us. She took a trip to see the vet on Friday. After x-rays we found an obstruction in Flash's colon. It looks like she ate a rock or a big chunk of clay that is taking its time going through her system. She is straining so hard to get it out that she is basically squeezing her guts out. We are keeping it wet (when it comes out), and feeding her some medication to help her pass the blockage. SHE IS FINE!!! Thank god, and thank all here who gave advice and suggestions. Peace and happy herping!

Oh good.sorry didnt read ALL the replies before posting! I hope she gets that nasty rock OUT!
I worry about my wood turtle Don taking in a piece of his substrate, I know how ya feel being all worried, I'm really attached to my buddy!

Ya sure Flash is a girl? Sounds like a dude to me. Is it purple and kinda weird looking? That's a boy turtle's anatomy. It IS that time of year, everybody's turtle boys seem to be flashing their owners...except mine and he's a grown up! hehe...