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08-25-2017, 10:09 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-26-2017, 05:57 PM by LPC.
Edit Reason: Changed "tale" into "tail"
)
Barrie has a bit of a crisis happening right now.
I am not sure how to explain it without running into our censorship program. Male reptiles have two male parts(not the testicles) where mammals have one. They have them internally at the base of the tail. For some reason Barrie has externalized one of them and it has prolapsed. It was covered in dirt and now that I have hosed him off it is quite swollen. It won't go back like that and it is too dirty anyhow. It might never go back. Years ago Earl the corn snake had the same problem and he survived and went on to be a father.
I don't know how things are going to work out. Right now I have him soaking in water which I will need to keep changing. I have to get him clean first. He already feels better now that he is partly cleaned up.
I don't think he is going back in his tank tonight so I better set up a "hospital" tank for him.
Catherine
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I cleaned out Barrie's tank and made it a hospital tank. He is big and he needs the room. I have him on clean paper towel which I can change as soon as it gets dirty.
I soaked Barrie and changed the water and then soaked and changed a couple more times. He definitely feels better and there is some improvement. There is still a lot that could go wrong. In the short term if he tears something he could bleed. Long term he could develop an infection. His body is able to deal with this as long as I keep him clean. I think things can't go back to normal, but reptiles can "drop off" body parts that are in trouble.
I know someone is going to suggest a veterinarian. Most vets would have no idea what the problem in or how to deal with it. I am consulting an experienced reptile breeder. This breeder has dealt with these issues before. A vet would want to amputate and that would almost certainly be fatal. Sometimes nature, with some experienced help can do more.
I am worried because Barrie is an older lizard and this could be the beginning of the end. He also could make a good recovery and be his old self again. It will take a while.
Catherine
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I have given Barrie another soak in clean water and cleaned up his tank again. He is now resting. He is not any worse, so I think that he will recover in his own way. The poor guy is not feeling good, but he is resting quietly. He is not anxious like he was last night. Being a reptile, it will take weeks before I will know if he is going to be alright. Infection is always a risk. That is where I can help. I just have to clean him a lot.
He is an older lizard, but he his a big strong guy. I am hopeful that he will be alright.
Catherine
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Major improvement! The swelling came down and I was able to properly wash the area. There was dirt that I couldn't get at because of the swelling. There is a chance that he might come out of this intact. He is certainly going to feel more comfortable right now. I am soaking him again and cleaning his tank. He should be able to sleep comfortably.
This is now more of a situation than an emergency. I do have to make sure he doesn't develop an infection. So he gets cleaned two or three times a day until I feel sure he is safe.
I am starting to feel like Barrie really could get back to his old self.
Catherine
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Sorry to read about these problems. I hope Barrie's condition continues to improve.
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I am sorry I missed this before.
Poor Barrie. I am glad to hear he is improving. Keeping the area clean is probably the best idea, and it seems to be working.
I understand about vets and exotic species.Many don't understand them. It is not always easy to find a really good "Exotic" vet. Not only that but a vet visit is extremely stressful for some.
Are you using a saline solution? Or just clean water? Salt water is good at preventing and treating infection.
Herbal remedies might also be useful if you need them. Plantain can be made into a tea which you could bathe the area with. Echinacea Angustifolia root can be brought to the boil in a pan, steeped 15 minutes, strained then cooled to make a tea which can be used as a lotion. That is brilliant at treating any infection of any kind, anywhere, is suitable for most animals....but I don't know about reptiles (possibly okay.) I don't know how you could check that, whether there will be some mention of it online? You never know.
Anyway it is very good to hear Barrie is a lot better already. He might not need anything else except what you are doing. I hope he will go from strength to strength now.