A month back (Sept. 4th, 05) my yearling boa constrictor was found with a fresh cloacal prolapse. The tissue was swollen and lubrication was not enough to replace it. Heavy sedation with isoflurane was used after steriods (BNPH) were used to decrease the swelling.
October second; I havn't observed my snakes in a few days during a move from my apartment to a townhouse. Unfortunately this snake prolapsed again, and presented with reduced weight, slight dehydration, and a dark red, drying prolapse. I was going to euthanize this snake at work the that night. A last change of heart as the snake was still bright and alert. A combination of my herp skills and my boss's emergency veterinary skills (Dr. Brooks is perhaps the best emergency veterinarians I've ever had the pleasure of working with) allowed for an amputation that has so far been successfull. The prolapse was covered in Hibitaine cream until I went to work, and isoflurane was used to first sedate the snake, and then reach surgical plane anesthesia after intubating with a 20ga cathetor. Dr. Brooks canulated the prolapse and anchored the tissue with two large sutures. He then used tiny, tiny 6-0 PDS suture during the amputation. HR was about 10 beats/minute, and resp. rate was about 1-2/minute for the 30 minute procedure. Recover took about 20-30 minutes while resting on a warm water bottle.
ICe fluids (1.5cc of 1NaCl:1Sterile Water)were given and repeated the following night. Baytril at 5mg/kg was given ICe post-op, and a loading dose of 5mg/kg IM Amakacin was given the next day in the hopes of better bacterial coverage once hydration was obtained. The plan is to continue amakacin at 2.5mg/kg every 3 days, for 3 more treatments.
I hope this is the final event for this young guy as his body is taking a toll. It's always interesting treating reptiles, and definately nerve wracking when it's your own.
Ian
