Cloacal Prolaspe/Pain Control

[Jaylyn]

Saturday evening we noticed one of our 7 month old dragons had a HUGE cloacal prolapse (about the size of a golf ball). We live 3 hours from a herp vet - but have an excellent cattle and small animal vet that has gone the extra mile researching and consulting for our herps. Luckily she was on call.

She tried to push in back in (was an intestinal prolapse), but it was too swollen - by that time "Filch" had been under for almost an hour. She thought it might be less risky to amputate rather than cut an incision in her abdomen. It was a good thing - because clots had already started to form in the prolapsed tissue. She did a beautiful job - and I am blessed to have such a good "cattle" vet (and it means that I get to assist with all the procedures - I have learned alot that way).

She is doing pretty good - considering. Initially, I really doubted if she would live (cattle rarely survive this procedure) - but I am somewhat optimistic now. She is sitting up, but is in alot of pain when she tries to move. Which bring me to my question: has anyone used any form of pain control on their herps?

Thanks,
Jaylyn

[Jeff_Favelle]

How the heck can a Bearded live without an intestine??

[Dom]

That is quite amazing! I am really amazed that the bearded dragon is still alive..

LOL Morphine is always good for me as a pain control! lol

Not sure for them though!

Best of luck,

[Trace]

I have used pain control at home with one of my igs after she was spayed. Fortunately at the time I was working in an animal hospital so I could take home the meds I needed. Butorphanol was what I used intra-muscullarly. Over the counter pain meds like aspirin, tylenol, etc SHOULD NOT be used!

Ummm... perhaps take the dragon to your vet daily for a quick injection of pain meds. I doubt the vet will give you a syringe of it to take home!

I'm sure you are doing this already but, keep the dragon in her own separate enclosure until she is fully healed. Don't use any substrate and keep the cage meticulously clean!

Cheers!

Trace

[Uffern]

Uncharacteristically, I have nothing to add to this. Luckily, I have never had to deal with one of my animals having a prolapse, let alone a serious one. Good luck.

[Jaylyn]

Jeff, it was only part of her intestine. ;)

Thanks Trace - the vet probably would send the analgesic home with me - I think the 45 minutes drive would be too stressful anyway. But, "Filch" is doing wonderfully!! She is in a rubbermaid with clean towels by herself with the heat on the higher end of the range. She is moving around and is alert today! I don't think she is in much pain judging by her behavior. :p She ate some greens (no animal protein for a week) and took some pedialyte with her antibiotics. I guess the real test will be that first poo....

I am optimistic - she really does look good!

Jaylyn

[Trace]

That's great to hear Jaylyn! I have my fingers crossed for you!

Just a few points that I've thought of since...

Keep her hydrated! (I know you are... you have chams!)

I'm not sure about the circulatory system of beardies, but with my iguanas I had to give the injection into the front half of the body. Blood returning from the lower half of the body gets processed by the kidneys first and any meds given in the bottom half will be filtered out! Double check with your vet on this one!

Cheers!

Trace

[Uffern]

Just FYI, I think beardies circ system is the same way. A local anesthetic can be injected anywhere, but antibiotics need to be inject in the upper body. To give example, One of my dragons got a bad tail nip which developed ganggreen(sp?). Took him to the vet for amputation. Local anesthetic injected into tail, antibiotic injected into area just above left shoulder blade.

Again, good luck, and keep us posted.

[Jaylyn]

She was given a large intramuscular injection of antibiotic right after surgery in the shoulder. She's now on Antirobe by mouth. The vet bolused her with fluids (under the skin) - she is drinking pedialyte well for me now.

From all I've read you guys are right on injection methods.

She is still active and eating greens - still no feces...

Jaylyn