Prolapsed penis?

[FrankiesMom]

Hello. I've posted a couple times recently about the 60-70 pound sulcata we recently rescued. He came to us about 5 weeks ago. I don't know anything about him as far as his age, history, etc. One day I was walking behind him and this long pink thing came out...I'm assuming it's his penis. He pulled it back but it doesn't retract inside anywhere...it wraps around up inside his shell and it's like his tail holds it up so it's not dragging on the ground. Is that normal? He walks, poops, urinates & seems in good spirits. Do I need to find a vet? I'm going to try to post a picture and hoping you can see what I'm talking about.

 

[wellington]

Are you sure it doesn't go all the way in?
If it really doesn't, it needs to be kept moist or it could dry up that's not good. Make a paste from sugar and water and put that on it. This brings down any swelling and hopefully will go back in. If you can't do that, put him in a container of warm water and keep him there to keep it moist. Yes, find a vet if this doesn't work. But be sure it doesn't go back in on its own. He may just be feeling frisky.
@Yvonne G

 

[FrankiesMom]

Are you sure it doesn't go all the way in?
If it really doesn't, it needs to be kept moist or it could dry up that's not good. Make a paste from sugar and water and put that on it. This brings down any swelling and hopefully will go back in. If you can't do that, put him in a container of warm water and keep him there to keep it moist. Yes, find a vet if this doesn't work. But be sure it doesn't go back in on its own. He may just be feeling frisky.
@Yvonne G

Hi. Thank you for the reply. I'm sure it doesn't retract completely inside of him....is that what it's supposed to do? I can see it all the time...sometimes more than others, but it's always at least a little visible. I went out to the barn to put the sugar paste on. He's sleeping & I thought that was the best time since he's not walking around. I put the paste on and he pulled it in tighter but it doesn't disappear inside of him. Is it literally supposed to disappear all the way in? I have no idea what he went thru while he was out on his own before someone found him & brought him to us. I suppose his penis could have been injured somehow in his travels.

 

[wellington]

Yes, it should be able to go in all the way where you can't see it.
Keep the paste on, but don't let it dry out, the paste or the penis.
See what Yvonne says.

 

[FrankiesMom]

Yes, it should be able to go in all the way where you can't see it.
Keep the paste on, but don't let it dry out, the paste or the penis.
See what Yvonne says.

Ugh. It has looked like it does since we got him so I'm guessing he injured it while traveling. How long can it be prolapsed before it can't be reversed? We have no idea how long he was out there alone, where he came from, or what he endured. Figuring out how to properly care for him has definitely been a process and the timing with 2 back to back hurricanes and all the drama here in Florida has not been ideal for him. But he's safe here with us and now I just need to find out how to help him. How do I find a vet in Central Florida who is competent and knows how to properly care for him? One that does house calls to our home in Dade City would be ideal, but if I have to take him somewhere, I'm certainly willing to do that.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Ugh. It has looked like it does since we got him so I'm guessing he injured it while traveling. How long can it be prolapsed before it can't be reversed? We have no idea how long he was out there alone, where he came from, or what he endured. Figuring out how to properly care for him has definitely been a process and the timing with 2 back to back hurricanes and all the drama here in Florida has not been ideal for him. But he's safe here with us and now I just need to find out how to help him. How do I find a vet in Central Florida who is competent and knows how to properly care for him? One that does house calls to our home in Dade City would be ideal, but if I have to take him somewhere, I'm certainly willing to do that.

How many days has it been since you got him? Necrotic tissue and infection are what we want to avoid here.

Is the penis dried up or is the color abnormal? If so, I would contact a vet ASAP. Also, if the paste isn't helping I would book a visit too.

 

[FrankiesMom]

How many days has it been since you got him? Necrotic tissue and infection are what we want to avoid here.

Is the penis dried up or is the color abnormal? If so, I would contact a vet ASAP. Also, if the paste isn't helping I would book a visit too.

Hi. He was brought to us about 4-5 weeks ago. I noticed it shortly after that and I feel terrible that I didn't know it was abnormal. He keeps it close to him and covered by his tail so I thought that was normal. It's pink and does not look dried up. But I'm sure it's had some trauma with all of his travels. I posted a picture at the beginning of this thread so you can see the color. I'm trying to find a vet in Central Florida who works with tortoises. Is there anyone on this thread who can assist with that or may be from this area who knows a vet?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hi. He was brought to us about 4-5 weeks ago. I noticed it shortly after that and I feel terrible that I didn't know it was abnormal. He keeps it close to him and covered by his tail so I thought that was normal. It's pink and does not look dried up. But I'm sure it's had some trauma with all of his travels. I posted a picture at the beginning of this thread so you can see the color. I'm trying to find a vet in Central Florida who works with tortoises. Is there anyone on this thread who can assist with that or may be from this area who knows a vet?

¤ to 5 weeks is long yes. I suggest you get the penis examined by a vet and go from there.

I am not from the US, so can't hel much. Have you checked this list out?: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/florida.29675/

It is old, but it does list multiple vets under Tampa. @zovick knows veterinarians too. Asking around from other active Florida members might be worth a shot too.

 

[wellington]

@ZEROPILOT has a vet in FL he has been happy with. I don't where he lives though compared to your location.
It does look color and not damaged from the little bit I can see in the pic.
Keep the sugar paste going. You might also want to try tilting him on his side to get a better look just to be sure there is no visible wound or something in the way.
Does he easily poop or strain a lot?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

@ZEROPILOT has a vet in FL he has been happy with. I don't where he lives though compared to your location.
It does look color and not damaged from the little bit I can see in the pic.
Keep the sugar paste going. You might also want to try tilting him on his side to get a better look just to be sure there is no visible wound or something in the way.
Does he easily poop or strain a lot?

BROWARD AVIAN AND EXOTIC is in north Broward county on the east coast.
Tampa is a little north. But on the west coast. Unfortunately.

 

[zovick]

Ugh. It has looked like it does since we got him so I'm guessing he injured it while traveling. How long can it be prolapsed before it can't be reversed? We have no idea how long he was out there alone, where he came from, or what he endured. Figuring out how to properly care for him has definitely been a process and the timing with 2 back to back hurricanes and all the drama here in Florida has not been ideal for him. But he's safe here with us and now I just need to find out how to help him. How do I find a vet in Central Florida who is competent and knows how to properly care for him? One that does house calls to our home in Dade City would be ideal, but if I have to take him somewhere, I'm certainly willing to do that.

There is a good exotics vet named Orlando Diaz-Figueroa who used to be associated with the Lake Howell Animal Clinic in Maitland, FL. I don't know if you will be able to run him down or not, though. According to what I am seeing on the web now, it says that the clinic is permanently closed.

I found a notation that he is now the attending vet at the Univ. of Central FL in Oviedo. Maybe if you can reach him, he can help you or refer you to someone who can.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Just a suggestion....I am not a Vet ...but I watch them on tv...lol...sit on the floor with him kinda upside down between your legs, his carapace against your tummy...using warm water and the sugar simply massage his penis, try to make him calm so you can try to massage the penis back in place, feel it and see if it feels "normal"...does it feel swollen? Can you maybe feel to see if you might maybe can slowly and carefully try and massage the penis and gently push, can it fit in? I'm sorry I can't help more....but I actually have put a penis back inside, carefully, slowly. Now...please don't be insulated BUT...are you sure you are looking at his penis and not a longer tail?

 

[wellington]

Just a suggestion....I am not a Vet ...but I watch them on tv...lol...sit on the floor with him kinda upside down between your legs, his carapace against your tummy...using warm water and the sugar simply massage his penis, try to make him calm so you can try to massage the penis back in place, feel it and see if it feels "normal"...does it feel swollen? Can you maybe feel to see if you might maybe can slowly and carefully try and massage the penis and gently push, can it fit in? I'm sorry I can't help more....but I actually have put a penis back inside, carefully, slowly. Now...please don't be insulated BUT...are you sure you are looking at his penis and not a longer tail?

Good idea to try
It is his penis, you can tell in the pics posted in the beginning of this thread.

 

[FrankiesMom]

Good idea to try
It is his penis, you can tell in the pics posted in the beginning of this thread.

Hi everyone! I ended up contacting BluePearl in Clearwater and took him there. They see Sulcatas frequently and several of the employees have tortoises. They figured out from a first exam that it was in fact not his penis that was protruding out. They said his penis was up inside where it was supposed to be. It was the skin around his cloaca that had been irritated and was swollen. It was not an anal prolapse. There was no infection and the skin appeared to be healthy. They were concerned about why it was swollen and irritated so they sedated him, did a complete rectal exam, took xrays and completed bloodwork and everything came back clear. They think since we have no idea how long he was out on his own or what he encountered before he found his way to his forever home, that he somehow injured himself or was so dehydrated that he was pushing hard and it caused it to become inflamed. They gave him something for the swelling and gave me Meloxicam to give to him for 5 days. I just got him back late Tuesday night and he slept most of the day yesterday so I have not had the opportunity to start the Meloxicam. He did wake up for a bit and ate some escarole but fell right back to sleep.
Thank you to everyone for all of your help, support, and suggestions.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Wow, didn't think the inflammation could get that bad! Keep us updated with his progress, I hope for a speedy recovery, it must cause some discomfort.

 

[FrankiesMom]

Wow, didn't think the inflammation could get that bad! Keep us updated with his progress, I hope for a speedy recovery, it must cause some discomfort.

I will definitely keep you all updated. Thank you, again, to everyone for being so available and helpful. I'm really happy I found a competent vet -- although 1.5 hours away and super expensive -- so if anything were to happen in the future, I have an immediate resource. Sully was an unexpected addition to our family, but he is safe and with a family who loves him already and will do anything to make sure he lives a long, happy, and healthy life!

 

[wellington]

Wow, would have never guessed that. Keep us updated.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Thanks for the update...please hang around so we can help you again if you need...

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm glad you've found a good tortoise vet, and things seem to be going ok now. Once he's all settled in, you might want to get him cleaned up. It's not going to be easy, but it's a good idea. Set him in a kiddy wading pool of shallow water for a soak, then after a few minutes take a soft bristle brush and scrub all the dirt off him, top, bottom, feet, tail, head.

The soaking may help his swollen skin too.