Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today I saw a fleshy red mass protruding from my five-month-old green iguana's cloaca. What is this? Is it serious? Please help!

This may be a condition called "Prolapse". What you are seeing could be one of your ig's hemipenes. This is a very serious problem and will include a trip to the vet. if any of the tissue has become necrotic (dead), then a neuter will need to be preformed. Dont be surprised if the neuter is in the neighborhood of $400 or more. Hope everything works out.

If he retracted it I am sure it wasnt a prolapse. Your ig might be older than you think it is and is "flashing". If you are worried about it call your vet and ask
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Heather, Vern, Andy, Router, April And OODLES of fish

Whew. It was a prolapse. I called my vet last night and took the little guy in this morning. She said he needed emergency surgery. It's all taken care of now. He's fine; just two little stitches. I was so scared. Thank you sooo much for pointing it out to me!
But the vet said he was otherwise in perfect health. Why did he get the prolapse? I still can't figure it out...

Your vet didnt mention how it could have happened?
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Heather, Vern, Andy, Router, April And OODLES of fish

No, she didn't.
...That's not entirely fair, though. She had emergency surgery on a little poodle that came in and couldn't talk to me. However, when I go back next week to get teh stitches removed, we'll talk.

Thats understandable. Let us know! Good Luck
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Heather, Vern, Andy, Router, April And OODLES of fish

gram negative bacteria, also causes can be pinworms, and coccidia, all these will need to be treated or the animals will repeat prolapse. In some cases if the animals is not hydrated enough and the feces is dried out, that can cause it and upping hydration of foods that hae more fluids can fix it and not other treatment is needed. Some lizard species are also phone to a genetic prolapse and that is treated with stitches until the muscles can be strengthened by more activity, larger areas to roam and swimming

When you have a prolaspe happen, soaking the vent area in as heavy dissolved sugar water as you can, can sometimes make it replace on its own. You need to keep the tissue moist with K-Y jelly or vaseline until the vet can fix it.
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www.reptilerooms.com

If it's an intestine prolapse it can be caused by worms.If its a hemipenes prolapse nobody knows the reason.

A few days ago one of my Stars tortoises had a hemipenis prolapse.But i was close to his cage and i noticed it in time to prevent it from drying.I soaked him in a water bowl for more than one hour and after that i push the flesh inside.The problem with hemipenis prolapse is the flesh can dry out if we dont keep it wet.