prolapsed hemipenes

[count dewclaw]

My male anery radix has been with a female, I found him looking like this a few minutes ago. I'm thinking a sugar water soak is in order...or is this normal and it just takes awhile to be retracted?

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/asmodeus1.JPG

[guidofatherof5]

Great photo. A first for my view.
I'd put him in a shoebox container with wet paper towel to see if it will retract.
Wonder if it got twisted during his drag time.

[Mommy2many]

Ouch!!!

[count dewclaw]

Wonder if it got twisted during his drag time.

That's what I'm afraid of....

[RedSidedSPR]

i have no clue... i didn't even know that could happen... weird

[guidofatherof5]

Still looks like its got good blood flow to it.
How about a few photos over the next couple of hours, please.

[guidofatherof5]

This is why they were given two.;):D

[RedSidedSPR]

what?

[guidofatherof5]

What you see is one of a pair.
If one is lost/damaged the snake or lizard can still reproduce using the second.

[count dewclaw]

That's good to know, I wasn't sure if it was just one or both that I was seeing.

[RedSidedSPR]

huh. DIdn't know that. thanks

[Eddie]

Let us know if it goes back in. It doesn't look good. I've seen that happen before a couple of times and both times it dried up and fell off. OUCH!
Good luck with him
Ed

[count dewclaw]

It is not looking good, I think he twisted the hemipene...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/asmodeus2.JPG

(that is a drop of water at the bottom), it is swelling now even after soaking in sugar water.


I've seen that happen before a couple of times and both times it dried up and fell off.

If that is all that happens, I can deal with that.

[guidofatherof5]

Does look like he wasn't able to keep up with the twists and turns of garter snake love.;)

[RedSidedSPR]

Huh. Never knew this happened

[Plissken]

Are there no major health concerns to a snake losing that? I would have thought that would be a big deal.

[guidofatherof5]

As a rule no.
It will simply die and fall off or be clipped off. I had male radix delivered to me with a dried one.
My Vet. lasered it off. I've clipped them off also.
Once they dry it's not that big a deal. Very little to no blood.

I've got a couple males running on one.

[Hornets23]

Ouch..good luck with that!

[count dewclaw]

Yesterday (day 4) his hemipenes was still not drying out. I was concerned about it getting infected if it did not dry out quickly. So I dipped it in betadine solution as you would an umbilical cord in other animals. Today it was nicely dried out and I could clip off most of the dead part.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/day5-before.JPG

Yes, that is bits of paper towel that got caught on the spikes - another reason I wanted it to dry quickly so it could be clipped off.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/day5-after.JPG

Now I will keep an eye on the stump and make sure it continues to heal.

[ConcinusMan]

Looks like quite a bit of swelling went up under the vent scale. Keep a close eye on that.

I've been though this a couple of times. It's usually not that big of a deal. Just keep it from getting infected and it should go back to normal after a shed or two.

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like you've done a nice job Doc.
Good group of photos.
Are you going to treat the stub?

[count dewclaw]

That swelling up under the vent scale is definitely something I was going to watch. I think some of that swelling is from him dragging the whole thing around, another reason I wanted it clipped off quickly.

I dabbed a bit more betadine solution on it after I clipped it. I may put some antibiotic ointment on tomorrow, depending on how it looks.

His appetite is fine, I fed him a bit yesterday and he was looking for more...

[guidofatherof5]

I don't think the ointment can cause any problems, it's a good idea.
How's he doing?
He may need counseling:D

[count dewclaw]

He seems to be doing just fine, as I said it doesn't seem to have affected his appetite.

I'll have to check to see if there are any snake counselors nearby, just in case he shows signs of needing counselling.:D

[ConcinusMan]

I don't think he needs counseling. He's probably thinking "my other one is even more magnificent"

[Millinex]

A lot of times if I have this happen- I simply help the male to put them back in. Although since yours are already off just watch it carefully, who knows how he will recover with that swelling.

[count dewclaw]

day 6

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/day6.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/day6again.JPG

Still swollen, but I don't see any signs of infection. I did put antibiotic ointment on as a precaution.

[ConcinusMan]

It's much better if the air can get to it. That's why I suggested using iodine and not ointment.

[guidofatherof5]

Give a few more days or a week and you can probably clip more of it off.

[RdubSnider]

Its looking really good. Fantastic job so far

[flickerfriend]

Any more updates?

[count dewclaw]

Swelling has gone down a lot, it is looking good. It's been a crazy few days so I don't have new photos, maybe in a few more days I will be able to take some new photos.

[flickerfriend]

Okay. keep us updated. your little snakey is in our thoughts.

[guidofatherof5]

Swelling has gone down a lot, it is looking good. It's been a crazy few days so I don't have new photos, maybe in a few more days I will be able to take some new photos.

Really glad to hear he's doing well.
You've done a good job caring for him. Glad you were there to help.